Great Q+A from today's email
The Question:Hi Sophie,I just ordered the 14-day cleanse and am extremely excited to get started once it gets here in order to get "back on track" and actually improve my overall health and begin to obtain the weight loss that I've been fighting to lose for the past 5 years.I'm writing, though, because I have a 4 year-old daughter that hasn't had the greatest food options and now that I'm making positive changes I was wondering if you had any suggestions as to ways I might be able to slowly transition her from processed foods to more healthy options. I have tried to switch as many of her foods to organic as I can in the past month or so but I need to get her eating more fruits and vegetables, as well. I also have a 6 month old daughter who has been on organic formula (she had a breast milk sensitivity) and organic food for the past month but I want to try to avoid the same mistakes with her going forward as I made with my first daughter. I just really don't ever want them to go through the experience I'm currently going through with having issues/trouble with food choices and needing to lose 35-40 pounds. Any insight or suggestions you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
My response:
Hi Angela!
thanks for reaching out!
I have a 4 year old, too! (almost... Aug 24th!)
I would make extra of every single dish you make for the cleanse and offer it to her, as well. If it's what mommy is eating, she will be intrigued. Offer that first. Let her try everything and show your excitement of preparing it, have her help you throw things in the blender, get fun straws, etc. Make the 14 days an amazing experience for both of you. As she tries each thing and sees there aren't a lot of other (not so healthy) options, she will open up more.
There's no reason to force feed her, but she WILL be hungry eventually :)
I offer the more unique, less sweet, less kid friendly dishes when my kids come in from playing outside and I know they are super hungry.
The biggest advice I have is to not let there be too much of an energetic "charge" concerning the food she's eating. I try to avoid "FINISH YOUR PLATE OR ELSE" mentality, because they will eat when they are hungry. Being forced to eat food when they don't want it is setting them up for bad habits, in my opinion. Listening to their own bodily cues is more important.
When she is eating nutrient-dense foods like these, she will be able to hear her cues more easily.
One more thing: you can make ANY smoothie into a popsicle or ice cream by putting it into molds or into the freezer. My 4 year old is currently on a "smoothie strike" so this helps us both be happier and ensure he's geting the proper nutrients... and no food is being wasted! :)
Good luck and stay in touch!