We have to stop using words like "poison" to describe foods... especially around our kids!
It really bothers me when people use the word “poison” to describe foods.
I once read a book that describes all processed foods as “poison”:
And then saw on Instagram that someone was making their own baby food because all baby food sold in stores is “poison.”
Or, equally as off-putting… the amount of social media content out there warning parents of the “chemicals” in foods… literally all foods are made of chemicals…
Like, I get it, there are some foods out there that are straight up not as healthy to eat compared to others, and some that may leave us not feeling as great as others, and those factors certainly matter, but using “poison” and warning of chemicals sounds like fear mongering, lead to parent-shaming, and are extreme words to use.
Is our food quality important? YES.
Do we want to eat/feed our kids fast food for every meal? No.
Is our health important? OF COURSE.
Do we want the foods we eat to speak to our health and longevity? YES.
Should we prioritize foods that give us energy and leave us feeling good? Yes.
Should we be mindful of our sugar/overly processed food intake? Yes.
ARE THERE HEALTHY, FILLING AND COMPLETELY FINE PACKAGED FOOD ITEMS TO GIVE YOUR KIDS OR EAT YOURSELF?! ALSO YES.
To these points, I believe we should each eat what is right for us. Right for our goals, our schedules, our bodies, our fitness. And, sure, make your own baby food if that’s what’s best for your family… just don’t make others feel less-than for buying foods from the store or making a different choice.
Here’s the thing… I really do understand where this comes from. I understand we may be trying to help our kids and ourselves be as healthy as possible when we make these choices or use these kinds of words. However, in the big picture, you may be doing more harm than good… If we put certain foods on pedestals or restrict them, it may just make us want them more. We may not learn how to appropriately manage certain foods in our diets, so overindulge in them at other times in life.
Instead of demonizing any foods, here are some suggestions for what we can do instead.
Move away from using words like “junk food” “cheat” “bad” “poison” etc. Instead, aim to speak to the facts about foods and how they make you feel when/after eating them. All foods fit.
Moderate intake of these more highly-processed/calorically-dense foods. Plan for them. Include them with meals or as snacks. Teach and model enjoyment and moderation. You’re certainly not a bad parent or bad person if you include them sometimes.
Understand that NOT all packaged foods are unhealthy or should be avoided. Like everything, there are some foods that are healthier, more balanced choices than others, sure. At the same time some foods have super healthy, nutrient-rich ingredients and just happen to come in a wrapper.
Generally speaking, aim for balance. Try not to let every meal be fast food or from a restaurant. Try not to let every snack be chips or ice cream. Include some fruits, veggies, and protein. Aim to eat *mostly* whole, real foods as much as it is within your power to do so.
Learn to read nutrition labels and ingredients lists to understand the content of the products you’re buying. Purchase products that speak to what you value. (Note: If you’d like to learn more about nutrition labels and ingredients, I have a resource document that I’d be happy to share! Send me a message or comment and I’ll send it to you!)
Understand that life has “seasons.” Some seasons you’ll be able to cook more at home and serve more whole, real foods. Some seasons you’ll need to rely more on packaged foods. ‘Tis life. To this point, understand that not everyone has the means, accessibility, or capacity to cook everything they eat from scratch or from unprocessed ingredients. To expect that, or judge others for it, it wrong.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the recommended daily intake of added sugar is 10% of total calories. That means it’s okay to include some sugar. If you’re really worried about intake, do some math and adjust as needed.
Don’t believe everything you see on the internet. Yes, there is iron in Cheerios, for example. It’s there on purpose and helps prevent anemia; iron is a naturally occurring element that your body needs!
I hope this was helpful and potentially gives you a little peace of mind about your food choices.
In my nutrition coaching, one of the major things I work with people to do is remove emotional judgements around foods and, instead, speak to facts, understand how it fits for you and your food plan, understand when and why certain choices are made, and whether or not they enjoyed the foods. This understanding helps us improve our relationships with food. Using “poison” does not help with that effort.
After all of those thoughts, I’m curious… What do you think of this message?! Please share your thoughts in the comments or email me at sara@nutritionforlifeproject.com.
As always, thank you for reading!
Sara