Dieting Around My Daughter.

Updated on October 29, 2006
A.S. asks from Norwich, CT
6 answers

My husband and I will begin going on a low fat diet in a few days. I have a large file of recipes that I will be making that involve lots of vegetables and are all very low in fat. My problem is that we like to eat meals with our 18 month old daughter. The extra veggies and whole wheat products that we will be eating surely will be good for her, but will our low fat lifestyles interfere with the amount of fat and calories she will need every day? I do not want her to get sick or lose weight because of our diet. What can I do to make sure that she is getting the right amount of calories in her diet without compromising OUR diet? Thanks for your help!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.T.

answers from New York on

vegitables are chock FULL of nutrients and all kinds of good stuff. Fruits are also FULL of sugar which would help her keep her weight up. She'll be fine for your new eating habits, and probably healthier for it!!

good luck!!
(i totally know what youa re going thru)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.O.

answers from New York on

Hi A....I think that eating low fat is a great idea at any age. Your child does not need any "extra fat" from processed meals anyway!! Feed your daughter what you would normally eat and you can suplement her meals with a low sugar yogurt or any of the foods that they sell for little ones. Dont forget that there is fat in her milk, she is drinking whole milk? And get a daily vitamin script from the doctor. I think what you will be doing is great and very healthy for your child. Eating natural foods low in fat is what you want to do ...just do not give her anything with artificial sweeteners. Check out this link and you will feel much better.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-10-04-toddlerdie...

Congratulations on your healthy new lifestyle!!
R. ;)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Buffalo on

There is nothing wrong with a low fat diet for the whole family. As long as she is getting her milk, you can rest easy. We eat far too much fat in this country! Just make sure you are including healthy fats in all your diets. We often use olive oil, and eat things like salmon to make sure we are getting enough of the good fats. We never use the word "diet" in our house. Instead we just say "healthy stuff". As a result, my son loves veggies, yogurt, cheese sticks and granola. 100% of the time he will chose one of those things instead of junk-he actually hates sugary snacks (which horrifies me considering my love of chocolate!). When I did WW, we all enjoyed the food, and it did not cause my son to lose any weight.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Providence on

hi,
i would just make a app.to talk to her doctor about it he will let you know how to handle it.Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.J.

answers from Rochester on

a low fat diet would not be good for a 18 month old... as they still need fat for brain development... but where she gets that fat can make a big difference! i would suggest items like cheese, peanut butter (if she isnt allergic), dressing be added weither to herr meal or snacks to help m,ake sure she is getting what she needs. whole wheat crackers and cheese, ants on a log (celery filled with PB with a few raisins on top), and ranch dressing with carrot and celery sticks m,ake lovely and healthy items for her that are not too low in fat

good luck on your lifestyle change!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from New York on

A.,

You can easily make sure that your daughter's diet is appropriate for her, without sacrificing your own health goals. Make sure she is driking whole milk, which she should have until she turns two, give her a little bit of cheese at snack time, make her an egg for breakfast, etc. Her dietary need for fat is not large, just a little is all she really needs.

My bigger issue with dieting around your daughter is in passing on body image ideals to her. PLEASE don't talk about dieting in terms of being "fat" or about how you look in front of her. Little girls today start talking about losing weight or needing to go on a diet because they're fat around age four or five. That's abominable, and sets up a lifetime of issues with body image and self esteem. If you need to lose weight, and the discussion about it occurs in front of your daughter, please make sure to talk about eating healthy foods, about making your body fit and strong, etc. Make sure you aren't emphsizing appearance, "look how big my butt looks in these jeans" is a statement you will be shocked to hear when it comes out of her little mouth in a couple of years.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions