Food Fight

In the dictionary, within the description for the word stubborn, should be 2 1/2 year old boy. He knows what he wants, when, and how. Food as you can imagine is a fight. That is I guess I let it become a fight. Here's the story, I have always been super into nutrition when it came it Jack. He was nursed until 11 months, his organic baby food made from scratch, and always given recommend supplements. 

At about 18 months out of convenience because of our on-the-go lifestyle, whether it came to traveling or just at the pool, I gave into snack food. All the prepackaged goodies that a kiddo wants including juices. And even suckers as a bribe to be good at times. Honestly I didn't think it was that bad because Jack was always active and outdoors in the blazing Alabama sun. He has never been overweight so I didn't think twice. Well that relaxed attitude to food turned my little boy into a snacker. Constantly grazing. And that led to a picky eater. 

Yesterday this Mom decided it was time for a change and we were going back to our old ways of healthy eating with close to zero processed foods. No snacks. No juice. Breakfast was a fight but after an hour tantrum he came to the kitchen and ate a well balanced breakfast and milk. Jack has never been good with drinking his milk. Then came lunch. He ate a protein, grain, veggie, fruit, and dairy (that is how I am trying to simplify the meals). And milk. He didn't ask for a snack all afternoon and gladly sat down with Mike and I for dinner, and then finished his meal. 

WHAT?!?!? Now I feel like a really stupid Mom. Could it really be this easy? Why didn't I do this a long time ago. We always have the healthy options in our house, but we also have the pretzels and crackers. Even my homemade trail mix is bad in comparison to just putting in the extra effort and cutting up the fresh fruit and veggies. A little more work for me, but Jack being on a schedule for meals is so much nicer than always having to have (what I thought were) "healthy" snack options when we were out and about.

Day two has been a success again with all 3 meals and only minimal snacking of blueberries and carrot sticks while Daddy was grilling the salmon. You know a kid is hungry, I have decided when they agree to snack on carrots, if it is only crackers then he isn't really hungry and just bored or doing it out of habit. After dinner tonight Jack had a homemade spinach & fruit Greek yogurt Popsicle, his favorite, and then a little snuggle time with Daddy on the new chair.

Thank you Jack for so far making this food transition not a fight. This Mom is still the boss you stubborn little boy:) Funny story, today after we left the grocery store Jack told me in the sweetest tone, "Mama we forgot to buy juice"! I had told him it was all gone from the house on Tuesday. I replied oh no thats okay we have fruit, and he said, "that's okay next time we buy". Opps. The true test will be what happens when we travel. But I think this no processed food in the house is a good thing for all of us. Back to our old ways it is. 

P.S. I also have to say that my Facebook Mom friends were awesome with advice! Nice to know no matter where I live I can reach out to Moms I admire and respect for help!