Nutritional Brainwashing

Natural Moms Talk Radio

Every once in awhile, one of my kids does or says something that proves to me that the brainwashing I hope to engage in is taking effect.

Do you know what I mean?

I consider it my job to brainwash my kids.

Th media and popular culture will put enough trash into their heads, it’s my duty to clean that junk out.

One subject that comes to mind is that of healthy eating and nutrition. Today was a perfect example of how the brainwashing has manifest itself!

My 11 year old son Julien was invited to go along with some good friends to Six Flags over Georgia. It was a last minute trip, with my friend calling me literally as I was pulling into the ALDI parking lot to pick up a few groceries. I was completely unprepared, but Julien was in the car with me and I was only a mile away from my friend’s home. She could swing by and pick him up on her way, right then.

I began to contemplate what I could send with this child to eat for lunch. I didn’t have an insulated lunch box or any way to keep food cold. ALDI has a limited selection and no freshly prepared food is available there as would be the case at other grocery stores. So I grabbed bottled water, trail mix, and cheese sticks. Then I spotted a “Lunchables” type kit.

Now, these lunch kits have never… ever appeared in my grocery cart.  But I didn’t have cash to send with him to Six Flags, and the food available there isn’t exactly healthy fare anyway: hot dogs and burgers, cheap pizza and the like. I didn’t have many options, so I grabbed the kit and handed it to Julien.

He looked at me with confusion and said, “Mom, I can’t eat that. That’s total junk. There’s no real food in it.”

The brainwashing is complete.

A moment later, when my friend arrived, her son asked Julien if he wanted anything from McDonalds next door. They were stopping by there on the way to Six Flags.

Again a look crossed his face.

“No thanks, I don’t eat at McDonald’s.”

How do you see your values and influence showing up in your kid’s choices?  

Natural Moms Talk Radio