Page 33 of Big Girls Do It Stronger

Chapter 18

Wilder Kids—Strong and Healthy

Iam going to talk to you like we’re best friends sitting at lunch and chatting over a nice glass of red wine. I have so much to say about the current state of the health of our children in this country. I am not going to hold anything back because I don’t think we have time for pulling punches or political correctness. I believe that the future for our kids is dependent on the choices we make today.

I want to explain to you the difference in my kids from before we started taking our nutrition seriously and today. The best words I can use are night and day—not only are my kids now leaps and bounds healthier than they were, but they are stronger as well. They see themselves as athletic. They run! They run FAST! My two oldest sons have received medals in races that were even difficult for my husband to finish. They are finally feeling like their bodies can do amazing things. They WANT to try new things with us in the gym. As two parents who really weren’t athletic at all, it’s so cool to see.

Here’s a shocking statistic for you: data published in the Journal of American Medical Association showed that 31.8 percent of youths ages 2–19 are overweight and, even worse, 16.9 percent are classified as obese—and these numbers continues to grow. Studies also suggest that overweight and obese children become overweight adults who suffer serious health problems and diseases. Even more shocking is that this generation could even have a lower life expectancy than their parents. Looking at the current studies and projections on health in America, I believe the present situation is grave. My heart aches for the kids who are currently struggling with obesity like I did. It brings me to tears just thinking about it.

So, what can we do? How can we teach our children about real nutrition and real food? How can we teach them to move their bodies and to get excited about exercise?

As I write this I’m on a school trip with my daughter, and the ages of the kids are between 10–18 years. Each morning we’re offered a “healthy” continental breakfast at the hotel and the choices available include sugary cereal, fruit juice, bagels, sugar-filled yogurt, melon, and pineapple. There wasn’t even a single apple in sight! After perusing the options, my daughter and I decide to stick to our protein bars.

What shocks me is that when I watch these kids eating, I estimate each child is consuming anywhere from 50–100 grams of sugar,just at breakfast, and some were probably getting over 100 grams! And most of these kids are totally unaware that eating four regular-sized candy bars would have the same effect on their bodies as what they are eating at the continental breakfast.

How can we teach our kids about health when we don’t even give them healthy options?

Moms, I urge you to talk about nutrition with your kids. There’s a lifetime of horrible health consequences on the horizon for our future generations if we don’t make serious and immediate changes. We might be close to producing a generation with alowerlife expectancy than ours if things don’t change, and only we can change it.

Please consider this: a breakfast muffin can contain 46 grams of sugar where a cupcake would have 34 grams; one serving of a popular breakfast yogurt has 15 grams of sugar, the same as a ½ cup of ice cream; the granola bar your kid takes to school for a “healthy” snack has as much added sugar as a full-sized candy bar; pancakes have as much sugar as a big slice of cheesecake, and a serving of granola cereal has more sugar than five Oreo cookies! These are examples from the typical American breakfast ... and then we wonder why our kids need medications.

They have bad grades, they can’t poop, and they’re restless at night. Folks, this is because they’re inflamed and sugar-high on a daily basis. I get emails DAILY from moms who have seen dramatic changes in their kids after getting them off sugar: their grades improve, they go off medications, and they hear from teachers that their kids are just different kids. This isn’t surprising to me, because I saw this with my own children. I believe the effects of sugar on their developing bodies are vast and lasting. Just one such effect—the one most often talked about—is obesity, but there is a vast array of other effects equally as severe. Moms, if your child has a difficult time sleeping, suffers from allergies, bowel issues, skin issues, or has trouble concentrating,PLEASE,try to get them off sugar. If you can’t do it completely then, at the very least, try to cut the added sugars from their diet as much as possible.

Below are some quick #WilderWay snacks that most kids enjoy:

Oikos 000 yogurt. Kids love this. There is no added sugar, so it’s a great choice.

WASA or sprouted bread sandwiches

Dreamfields or brown rice pasta

Fair Life milk

True Lemon and Lime—my kids all take these packets to school daily

Zevia soda

Mission or Joseph wrap pizza or pizza pockets

Veggies and fruit dressed up with fancy shapes or dips

Progresso Light chicken noodle soup (My kids love taking this to lunch with some Wasa crackers and Laughing Cow cheese)

Halo Top ice cream

Smoothies and Green Juice! These are a favorite of both of the Wilder girls. My youngest begs for her green juice by bringing us her cup and yelling, “juice!”

Just as I recommend for adults, I really think that removing sugar gradually is the way to go. Remember that they can also go through withdrawal and detox symptoms, so it might be tough at first, but the positive changes and results you will see are worth it. You can do it, Mama! I know your kids will thank you for it one day even if the cries and screams now say otherwise.

This doesn’t need to happen overnight. You can start by just switching out a few things that contain the highest amounts of added sugar. That alone will have a huge impact on your child’s health over time. And then, after a few months, switch out a few more things. I’ll say it again and again—this isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Rome wasn’t built in a day and Jack Wilder didn’t start eating veggies in a week. Give your kids time and keep offering healthier choices. They are worth it!

PRO TIP: Want to really enjoy your family dinner? Dim the lights and put some candles on the table. I’m amazed how much better my kids behave and how much better they eat when I light some candles to set the mood for dinner. It doesn’t take much time or money, but this simple trick can make all the difference between dinner feeling like fast food, or a special meal for the kids.