We control the comfort food

By kate on December 28th, 2007

Ruby has had a bad cold for the last week (now on the mend), and it made me realize something heartening.

As parents, we worry about our children’s nutrition. Are they getting enough vitamins today? Did he eat enough protein this week? Will she develop healthy eating habits or turn easily to junk food when she’s older? Obviously, there’s no way to stop your child from downing burgers and soda as a teenager. And people’s adult food habits are pretty much their own decision, once they’re old enough to give it some thought.

However, we parents get to program one part: we control the comfort food. What a mother or father feeds a child when sick is a very sticky thing. We all find ourselves craving that same food (infused with parental love, of course) the rest of our lives when feeling ill.

I’m trying to keep that in mind. It’s tempting to let Ruby have treats when she’s sick because it will cheer her up short-term. But I remind myself that by making her oatmeal for breakfast and healthy soup for dinner, we’re imparting a legacy of health that is pretty much guaranteed to last her whole life. At least whenever she’s sick.


Filed under: food, parenting
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One Response to “We control the comfort food”

  1. Arthur Vincent Says:
    February 17th, 2008 at 2:34 am

    Hello Kate,
    I love your blogs. I was reading your blog about comfort meals and I would like to know if you would like to try my gourmet diet delivery program. It is considered by many as the healthy comfort food diet. We also have healthy baked donuts that could give the large chains a good run for the money. Making them the perfect snack for kids and adults. There would be NO charge for these products and I am hopeful you will enjoy them as much as the rest of our clients.
    All the best, Artie

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