My daughter has borderline high cholesterol

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Comment by Kendra on April 17, 2009 at 12:07am

Thanks for the comments, guys - I really appreciate it! Hearing that she has (possibly) high cholesterol really opened my eyes. Change starts with me. She loves green smoothies and green juices (most of the time!) - if that's how she eats her veggies for now, that's fine with me!

Comment by Michelle Mahoney on March 31, 2009 at 11:09am

I agree with svelte_in_la. She shouldn't be eating fried chicken and french fries. You said you don't want her to grow up to be like you, but she is going to be like you no matter what (and that's a good thing). Children will imitate what they see, so you and your hubby need to change yourselves and teach her better eating habits. I suggest the book "Raw Kids: Transitioning Kids to a Raw Food Diet" by Cheryl Stoycoff. I just looked on Amazon, and it's really high-priced, but I got my copy from the library for free, so definitely check there.

As far as not liking vegetables, start also sneaking them in things until she starts out-right liking them. Make fruit smoothies and add a little spinach. Start making green smoothies for yourself, and talk about how great they are until she wants to try. Also, start growing some herbs and/or vegetables - even if you have to do it indoors in a few potted plants. Children who help garden generally love to eat the foods that they grow.

The issue isn't really whether her cholesterol is high or not yet. The issue is that your whole family is eating foods that are bad for you. Whether that will show up now or twenty years from now doesn't matter. Get on the path to eating well now, or your daughter will go through what you (and I) went through. Good luck! :)

Comment by svelte_in_la on March 31, 2009 at 5:28am

Don't use food as a reward or punishment. Don't only bond with her over food. Find other ways to spend time together also.

Comment by svelte_in_la on March 31, 2009 at 5:27am

And put all dips, dressing, etc ON THE SIDE. That way, they feel in control.

Comment by Makaranda...=) on March 31, 2009 at 5:13am

Some kind of cereal with flax in it would be good. If you want to ween her from chicken go wth he vegan ones sold at the store. A likd like that will neer know he differene. Raising the good fats are a good idea- if she likes fat you should try to only give her fats when she is eating sliced tomatos, or whatever veggie she likes. If you just leave veggies out as snacks while she is playing- they'll usually eat more of them. Make dip out of tahini - it's high in calcium. Also, minerals from seaweed would be good to try to increase.How about adding to carrot paddies like a seafood salad?

Make the fresh food fun..If she like peanut butter make a dressing out of it and put on veggies- most kids would love that!

Comment by svelte_in_la on March 31, 2009 at 5:01am

Kendra, you just answered your own question. It's not just a result of eating too many animal products, but crap food in general. Incorporate fresh fruits and veggies into her diet. If she doesn't like veggies, have you tried radishes, bok choy , or celery? Whatever fruits/vegs she likes, by all means encourage it and don't focus on the ones she doesn't like. Developing her palette now will set her for life.

She's eating french fries when you go out? She's 5. Don't let her. Yes, she'll bitch and whine about it and possibly scream her head off, but you're the parent here. Eventually, she'll get over it. Fried chicken? Hi, don't have fried chicken. Another fun thing for kids is when you're preparing the meal, have a little side dish of fresh fruit or veggies for them to munch on while they're coloring or doing homework.

Cheerios and milk? Scratch that. At least go to Trader Joe's and get their version of cereal and buy rice milk or almond milk. Whichever your little one finds tastier. No soy.

Get yourself eating more raw. Lead by example and provide good eating choices. It's up to YOU to be a parent.