Cupcakes are Bad: How to Speak About Food Around Kids

As a dietitian, I cringe when I hear people, especially parents, label foods as good or bad. Vegetables are good. Cupcakes are bad. I hear it all the time and would really prefer if everyone would omit 'good' and 'bad' from their vocabulary when it comes to food?

If you'll allow my soap-box for a moment...

Food is food. Let me say it again - food is food. Food is fuel. We need fuel to live, whatever that source may be. It’s that simple.

Explain to kids that some foods are more nutrient-dense that others. Some foods are less nutrient-dense than others. Our role as adults is to help kids choose wisely. That is the key.

Parent-to-child and peer-to-peer food-shaming starts in early elementary school if we aren’t careful with our words. Food-shaming in childhood can turn into internal body-shaming for both males and females, with destructive repercussions. Be careful how you label foods, meals, and your entire day of eating.

For the record, it’s ok if some days kids eat nutrient-dense foods and some days they don’t. The human body can brilliantly compensate for any nutrients we don’t feed it. (Especially with a daily multi-vitamin!).

Here's a scenario - it's bedtime and you realize that both you and your kid ate nothing but chips and cupcakes all day because of back-to-back birthday parties. No biggie! Just say, "Hey, my tummy feels like it needs a salad. Let's plan to make one tomorrow for lunch!"

Here's another scenario - It's Thanksgiving Day and your kid only wants dinner rolls. News flash - it's ok! Just say, "Hey, let's find a superfood or protein food for you to eat tomorrow."

Please don't say, "We ate bad today." Your child was fueled and they lived to see another day. Nothing shameful here! Just teach them to make wise, balanced choices when possible without an emphasis on perfection.

Sweets make life sweet. Sweets shouldn't be shameful. Balance and moderation is the only message your child should hear and that's what they'll hear from us when they attend classes at Itty Bitty Bakers.