I am doing my best, to allow my children to eat healthy as much as possible.
By cream97
@cream97 (29086)
United States
May 15, 2010 11:04am CST
I had an appointment with the Registered Dietitian at the Health Department. She was interviewing me on what all that I gave my children to eat. She was asking me the kinds of snacks that I give them. And I told her that I gave them Gerber snacks. Now as many parents know, this is an excellent brand to give to growing children. It is very nutritious in zinc, iron, protein, calcium, vitamin C, and many other essential vitamins and minerals needed for a child's body and growth. I also give my kids other snacks that are healthy too, such as, apples, bananas, tomatoes, oranges, white meat chicken strips, vegetables of many kinds. They also love salad that are made with vegetables and cheese. My kids have been eating healthy from the moment that they were in my womb. I always have a goal to make sure that they eat as healthy as they can. I do let them splurge, but only sparingly. Well, the Dietitian seemed to think that I was spending too much on the Gerber products. Maybe I am. But that is my business. If she had to have been listening to me, she would have heard that I mentioned that I do give my kids other food besides Gerber snacks all of the time. She should have been more concerned with what I have been giving them to snack on, than the name brand itself. Now, if I had to tell her that I give them candy, cookies, donuts and sweet snacks, then she would have definitely told me that I was giving them unhealthy snacks. Why can't she see the good in me as a mom? That is the purpose of me coming to this appointment, to see how well my kids are eating and growing. And as she can see, I do give them healthy foods to eat. Not junk. So, why is she making such a big deal about me buying the Gerber products for my children? I admit that it costs a little more for what I usually would pay for as a cheaper item. But, it is nutritious. And my kids love to eat the snacks that they offer. Why do she have to be so picky? It is not like her money is paying for it anyway. I bet that when she goes home to eat, she may not always be so healthy. I am a responsible mother and a parent to my children. I am not doing anything wrong.
In a case like this. If I was a Dietitian, I would rather know a parent is spending more money buying something healthy, than spending less money buying something unhealthy. What do you think? Now don't get me wrong, there are many nutritious snacks that a parent can buy that are less expensive. I am very much aware of that too. Please hare your feelings on this. Was the Dietitian overreacting?
4 people like this
11 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
15 May 10
Hi cream. If your children don't have health problems, then I wouldn't worry about it. If you are not constantly feeding them the Gerber fruit, (though it has all those good vitamins in it, it still is not a natural snack, the good stuff is artificially added), and feeding them the real thing too, then she is over reacting..
I sometimes give my son what I call real junk food, chocolate,gum, suckers...But he doesn't live on them and he does eat healthy foods too..:)
2 people like this
@med889 (5941)
•
15 May 10
A dietitian has enough educational and professional background to advise a parent what to buy for their children however I believe that a parent is in a better position to know what to but for their children sometimes. I mean my grandparents did not consult a dietitian to know what to give my mom or my dad but still they are in a better health than today's generation so I think that your doctor is overreacting.
@kellys3ps (3723)
• United States
20 May 10
I think that was awfully rude of the lady to say anything about your shopping habits!
1 person likes this
@kar295rocks (2116)
• India
15 May 10
Hmmmm... Nice long words you have there. Well, healthy and good food is hard to find these days. Even if we switch to a veggie diet, te vegetables and fruits come smithered with fertilizers and pesticides and we eat them to kill ourselves. Even though we try to eat the healthiest food, we cannot do that. That is the current state of the world. More than looking at how much a food can be healthy, we must also look at the negative effects of it. 
Did you know that a visit to McDonald's can increase your risk of cancer by 0.02% .
If you want to eat healthy, I think you should recommend organic food to your children or Grow it in your backyard. 
Did you know that a visit to McDonald's can increase your risk of cancer by 0.02% .
If you want to eat healthy, I think you should recommend organic food to your children or Grow it in your backyard. 2 people like this
@charylady (419)
• Philippines
16 May 10
i think she should have paid more attention to what you were saying. you are giving your children healthy natural, unprocessed foods in addition to the Gerber products so i don't see any problem. maybe she just was not listening carefully, sometimes health workers (and other people) do that.
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
16 May 10
Hi, charylady. You are right. Many health workers that I have came across have misread what I said to them. It is a shame that their interpretation is off key. It is a part of their job to listen carefully. When they don't, they miss a lot of important and vital information from the parents.
@rajaiv0810 (1012)
• Philippines
16 May 10
She should have at least congratulated you first and acknowledge the fact that you are doing your very best to give your children nutritious food. Not all mothers can be like that and willing to spend more for healthy options. Yes, it might be a little expensive than usual but if it is healthy and if it will give proper nutrition for the children then I guess the price could become secondary to its purpose. Her role as a dietitian is not to judge you with regard to the price, rather it is to guide you and provide with other healthy alternatives which may not be too costly.
She could have presented it this way: We're glad that you have been providing your children healthy snacks and it seems that they have liked it too. There are a lot of parents who have taken little considerations into their children nutrition and kids would only tend to eat sweet empty food. We would like to share to you other options such as sandwiches etc. She need not have to mention about the costs or if she will she shouldn't refer it to the way you are spending because that is your right to spend on the food that you want to eat and most especially if they are proper alimentation.
1 person likes this
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
15 May 10
Sometimes, too much of a good thing can be bad at times too.. IMagine one eating too much of protein, or zinc rich food, and yet they are not able to use up those nutrition?? MOst of them will become fats and be stored in the body instead..
Eating right and healthly is good.. BUt exercise does play an important part too.. Some nutritious things need something else to trigger them, for best maximum effect.. If not, they will only be in the body as food, and nothing more..
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
15 May 10
oh Cream97 Yes the dietitian is full of herself. You should see the menu and the food that our so called dietitian puts out for us, mostly carbohydrates and the high ones, stingy on meat, and practically no fresh fruit, the veggies are u sually combination frozen ones which is okay except twice a day for three or four days? Sure they are trained supposedly 
in the best most nutritious foods for people to eat but they come to a place like this, the admins says keep costs way down and they serve us processed canned crap that they themselves I am sure would not eat. One of the cooks does make the best soups as I am sure the dietitian did not order that, and his stuffed peppers and eggplant parmesan are worth eating some of the other processed stuff. would he had more free rein over the menu. Cream I think you should trust in yourself as you seem really intelligent and together, why listen to a person like that? I think you know darned well the best foods to feed your family.I have not got a very good feeling on my dietitians i have met.
in the best most nutritious foods for people to eat but they come to a place like this, the admins says keep costs way down and they serve us processed canned crap that they themselves I am sure would not eat. One of the cooks does make the best soups as I am sure the dietitian did not order that, and his stuffed peppers and eggplant parmesan are worth eating some of the other processed stuff. would he had more free rein over the menu. Cream I think you should trust in yourself as you seem really intelligent and together, why listen to a person like that? I think you know darned well the best foods to feed your family.I have not got a very good feeling on my dietitians i have met.1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
17 May 10
Perhaps the Gerbers product is better than the others. Some people would normally buy a cheaper item unless guided not to for some reason. I have met with dieticians but never paid them to tell me what I needed to do. It is good than you are seeking the help to be assured that you are getting righ food for your children.
@Cutie18f (9546)
• Philippines
15 May 10
Well, no one can tell you what to buy. But since you consulted her maybe she has a point in wanting you to buy something not so pricey. That is their job, right? To give you advice on what is good for your family not only in terms of health but also in terms of general well-being, your money as well. Since you are buying healthy food for you children she will have nothing to say to you except that you can actually settle for foods that will not cost you much but still as nutritious.
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
16 May 10
Hi, Cutie18f. In my opinion, she is not an financial expert, but an Registered Dietitian. I did not consult with her on my own. This appointment is mandatory since my daughters are on a special formula with the WIC Program. I have no choice but to attend this appointment so that my daughters can receive the formula. I don't think that it is her job to tell me how much I should spend on food for my family. It is my decision, since I am the one that is paying for the food.
1 person likes this
