#26 – Nutrition & Kids – A parent's perspective (Kelly LeVeque & Ben Grynol)
Sep 27, 2021
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Kelly LeVeque, a nutrition expert and Ben Grynol, a parent, discuss the challenges of feeding kids a balanced diet. They talk about setting boundaries and controlling what children are exposed to, as well as the impact of the environment and broken food system on parents' ability to control their children's nutrition. They also explore the importance of involving kids in making healthier choices and offer practical lunch options for busy parents. This podcast provides insights and strategies for promoting healthier meals and choices for children.
Controlling what children are exposed to and setting boundaries is crucial for promoting their metabolic health.
Early exposure to a variety of flavors and foods in the flavor window lays the foundation for healthy eating habits later in life.
Balancing protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates is key when packing nutritious lunches for kids.
Deep dives
The importance of understanding metabolic science for parents
Many parents struggle with feeding their children because they lack knowledge about metabolic science. Simplifying the concept of blood sugar balance is crucial for parents to understand the impact of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels and insulin release. Too much carbohydrate intake can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and behavioral issues in kids. Balancing blood sugar levels is essential for promoting spontaneous movement, interest in physical activity, and overall wellbeing in children.
The significance of early exposure to a variety of flavors and foods
The flavor window in a child's life, typically the first 18 months, is crucial for introducing a range of flavors and foods. Parents should focus on offering bitter and sour flavors along with a variety of nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. Early exposure to different flavors and foods lays the foundation for a child's dietary preferences and promotes healthy eating habits later in life.
Challenges in providing healthy options for kids
Feeding kids can be challenging due to competing factors, such as children's preferences, outside influences, and a broken food system. Parents often face dilemmas between meeting their children's desires and providing them with healthy options. It requires conscious effort to control what children are exposed to and to set boundaries that prioritize their metabolic health. Addressing these challenges calls for a balanced approach that empowers children to make informed food choices while also guiding them towards nutritious options.
Practical approaches for packing balanced lunches
When packing lunches for kids, it is important to focus on balancing protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates. Swap processed options with whole foods and choose low-carb alternatives like grain-free tortillas instead of bread. Incorporate a variety of vegetables, fruits, and protein sources such as chicken, turkey, or eggs. Practical examples include pasta with pesto and rotisserie chicken, hoo crackers with hummus and veggies, or rolled-up turkey slices with avocado. By adopting these approaches, parents can ensure a balance of nutrients in their children's lunches.
The role of education and building a solid foundation
Parents play a crucial role in educating their children about nutrition and creating a solid foundation for healthy choices. Learning basic cooking skills and teaching children how to prepare simple meals like scrambled eggs or sautéed vegetables is essential. Guiding them away from processed snacks and debunking marketing claims about 'healthy' options is equally important. By laying this foundation, parents empower their children to have a healthy relationship with food and make informed food choices throughout their lives.
For parents, feeding kids a balanced diet can feel like an uphill battle. People are surrounded by fast, convenient and highly processed food items, which can make the idea of 'meal time' easier to get through. But, these short-term choices can have long term health implications – especially for children.
When kids are provided with the right foundation for the way to think about food and the choices in front of them, it can be easier to start them down the right path at an early age.
Kelly LeVeque – nutritionist, author, podcaster, and an investor in Levels – takes the time to set a healthy foundation for her children. And, by 'controlling the controllable' – what she chooses to expose them to – getting her kids to eat a balanced diet is part of their routine.
Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.
Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.
(06:51) - Start by controlling what you can
(11:17) - Set boundaries for your children's diet
(13:15) - Don't hold back from adult conversations
(14:30) - Practice delayed gratification
(19:49) - Aim for a well-rounded food day
(25:48) - You can still be a fun mom without sugar
(34:03) - Rethink sandwiches as a staple
(39:31) - Don't fall for marketing tactics
(47:02) - Teach kids what healthy looks and feel like