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..... It is only recently that I have come to accept that my lifelong struggle with my weight began in childhood. As a sensitive child, from early in my years I had to learn to be pretty self reliant. With no healthy coping models available, I soon devised my own tactics to shield myself from the tension and unhappiness that my parents constantly exuded. Food became my number one substitute for many things and my drug of choice when it came to ... ..... It is important to identify unhealthy eating patterns early on in a child’s life to reduce the likelihood of obesity and its associated health risks. Emotional eating rarely takes the form of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. When children are stress eating they usually reach for comfort foods that are more likely to be refined carbohydrates or snack foods that are high in calories and low in nutrition. Help children tune into their bodies and what
finding comfort in a stormy environment. Throughout childhood I was a chubby kid and managed to carry that image well into my adult years. I also carried the unhealthy coping mechanisms I developed as a child and can see clearly that my relationship with food has always been emotional. Some people lose weight when stressed. Not me. That is when I usually feel like retreating to my popcorn and ice-cream world. I used to refer to this as my numbing down process.
..... We can not avoid stress in this life. It is everywhere and inevitable that every child is going to experience some stress in their
they put in them by educating them on what is healthy and what is not. This is a key life skill. Consumption of too much white flour, high fat, or sugar loaded junk food should be limited. Caffeinated beverages avoided. When we learn to make better choices early in life, even when experiencing stressful periods, we can offset a lifetime of poor eating habits.
..... A growing body needs optimal nutrition to attain its true potential. Stress depletes certain nutrients in the body, mainly the B vitamins, vitamin C, and protein. By eating a wide variety of fresh wholesome foods you can minimize the effect stress has on the body.
formative years. Whether it is the first separation from home, a piano recital, or a more serious life event like divorce or death of a loved one, stress is a part of life and the earlier healthy coping skills are in place the odds of adjusting well in adulthood are increased.
..... Each child will respond differently to stress and learn different coping mechanisms from role models in their life. They will be less likely to develop unhealthy habits or turn to food for comfort when their parents are emotionally available, attentive and in tune with their children’s individual needs. Sometimes even parents with the best of intentions will unintentionally help set the stage for emotional eating by using food to reward good behaviour or to offset a bad experience. Food is often used as a symbol of love. In its purest form - food is love and there is nothing wrong with the occasional reward, but problems may arise when food becomes a substitute for love and other unfulfilled emotions. How many broken hearts have been soothed by chocolate peanut butter swirl ice cream? Is it a mere coincidence that Ben and Jerry have an ice cream flavor named chocolate therapy? I think not!		 ... Other nutrients that nourish the nervous system are calcium, magnesium and potassium. Some of the best foods to incorporate into a menu to help offset the effects of stress are: Almonds, dried apricots, oranges, blueberries, low fat dairy, brown rice, all of the green vegetables, turkey, soy and sweet potatoes.
..... Children look to their parents to set the stage for healthy coping mechanisms in life and thus be a model. Coping skills are often passed down through generations. If our own parents were not the best in role models, because their parents may not have been the best models, we may have to enlist the aid of a health professional to identify unhealthy patterns in our own lives and learn new coping methods. Meditation, exercise and listening to uplifting music are some of the tools I use to bring myself into a sense of balance and peace. And of course you can’t beat laughter when it comes to stress busting. Children of all ages should be encouraged to let their happy out and express joy in abundance whenever possible.
..... Be well, be happy and Good health to You!