A lot of parents struggle because their child only eats pasta and other unhealthy things but refuses the vegetables when offered. First of all, if you offer vegetables next to a pizza, of course a child is going to fill themselves up with pizza and not have room for the salad. I believe that the main reason children refuse to eat proper food is because they are addicted to high glycemic items. Parents introduced their small child to something unhealthy and the child became addicted to it. I frequency see photos of children on their 1st birthday being fed cake. Then this addiction continues with ice cream, candy, cookies, etc. If parents started feeding a child with all kinds of starches but then later gave the child vegetables, chances are the addicted to starches and sugar child will not be interested in low glycemic foods. That is why it is crucial to not introduce a child to these “foods” because it will ruin their nervous system. However if a parent had an awakening and realized what a proper diet should be for a human being and decided to make changes, the best recommendation is to be patient and kind. There may be a period of testing and tantrums, but in the end the child will eat what you give them. This is something a nutritionist told me.

Moreover, small children do not like spicy things and they also seem to like simple things. Many children want the food to look nice, so don’t give them some weird looking food. It’s also important to detoxify yourself and your husband before conception. If an unexpected blessing happens that is fine, but if you have time to prepare it is best to quit and be free from alcohol and drugs for at least a year. Also while pregnant eating only organic fresh healthy foods that are low glycemic and drinking pure water. Pregnancy is when you are first introducing things to the baby. How can you expect the child to eat healthy when you ate cookies and processed food during pregnancy and continue to eat it in front of the baby? You are the babies greatest role model and you are an example for them. In a worse case scenario, if you need to binge on pizza and cookies because you have an eating disorder and addictions to food, don’t do it in front of your child, and when you all sit down for dinner make sure you eat healthy with them. If a child is acting disrespectful, which is usually learned from parents or teachers, or someone in the family, you need to give them a time out.

There is a science to time outs:

When a child is acting out like yelling or throwing food, get down to their level, don’t hover over them, that is intimidating for them and will create fear and resistance. Get on their level, look them in the eyes, and say in a firm and serious voice. “Please stop this behavior, use your indoor voice, hands are not for hitting, etc. This is your warning.” Giving them a warning is key. Do not give consequences to a child before the warning. You need to give them an opportunity to make a decision. If the child continues the negative behavior, do not negotiate, do not yell, and for God’s sake never hit. Pick up the child, take them by the hand and walk them over to a time out spot. It can be a step or a special designated area, away from toys and other fun things. You again get down to their level, look them in the eyes, and say in a firm voice, “I am giving you a time out because you did this or that.” And then you walk away. Do not negotiate or argue, just walk away. Set a timer. If a child is 4 give them 4 minutes time out. If a child is 7, give them 7 minutes time out. If a child gets out of their time out before the time is up, reset the timer and put them back without saying anything. Quietly walk them back to the time out spot. Do not talk to them during this time, do not reward with communication. This may take a few tries and this may take a few hours, but it gets easier and a child learns.  Once the child achieved their time out, come back, again get down to their level and repeat, “I put you in time out because of so and so. I would like an apology.” Then when the child says a genuine sorry you should hug and make up, no grudges. If a child does not want to hug right away, that is okay, give them space, but they need to say ‘I am sorry’ before you let them off the time out spot. With this technique you are teaching them positive discipline, self control, and respect that will help them greatly in their life. I learned this time out technique from a woman named Jo Frost who had a popular show called the SupperNanny. You can find episodes on youtube.

Do not give your children any processed food. It is filled with chemicals that mess up their brain and body. If you want to give them a treat, give them fruit. By teaching them the importance of proper nutrition, you will be helping them for the rest of their lives. This was not as big of an issue in past generations because processed food was not as available. Now it is everywhere. Cereals, boxed meals, candy.  Also beware, even if the box says organic does not mean it is healthy. Reading labels is key. Some products only require 70% to be organic ingredients and the rest junk. I always say, stay away from packaged food. Parents need to take charge and stop being lazy. If you don’t know how to cook, learn. It is not hard to cook. No one is asking you to roast a stuffed turkey. Making eggs and salad is easy. Keep in mind that most of our food has been hybridized and messed with for a long time, even if they say it’s organic. A real banana is tiny compared to what you see in a store. 1 or 2 fruit per day should be the maximum sugar dose. Too much sugar from fruit is also over stimulating. Many parents feed children all kinds of strange sugary foods and then stress out when a child is hyper and can’t relax. Parent’s try to bribe children by giving them something sweet and expect them to behave. You think they will listen to you when you give them so much sugar mixed in with strange artificial and synthetic ingredients?

Unhealthy diet is linked to hormone imbalance and much more. The only place somewhat beneficial place in a grocery store is the fresh produce isle. Create your simple  meals based on what they have available. Sometimes it can be zucchini, or brussels sprouts, or cauliflower. Steaming those and adding ghee or coconut oil are a good way to prepare those. Properly wash fresh raw vegetables like arugula, radishes, cucumbers, lettuce, etc., season vegetables with olive oil and fresh lime or lemon juice, and good quality salt. Make it yourself. Don’t be lazy. Avoid nitrates, preservatives, and GMOs. A healthy body is a vital instrument for spiritual evolution. Podcast clip to why it is important to wash produce and cook animal products fully. 

See more tips in this blog post called Parenting 101 

It’s important how you fuel your body and your children’s bodies. Moreover, you are voting with your dollars, so purchase things that are ethical, pure, humane, organic, and healthy. In the photo below I reused bottles to make camomile tea from fresh flowers. I got them at the farmers market but you can also grow some yourself. I love making tea with peppermint and lavender too. Yum!