I keep seeing about eating rather a lot and o Costco cakes full of crap.
Everything is relative. My DD is almost 7yo and this week I’m going through her knickers that still fit but pretty worn, they are age 4-5 &5-6, I’m struggling on do I keep them or buy more. This child has (not exactly) the best diet possible, we regularly serve food “family style” it’s set out and help yourself. Dd will pull the entire salad to her, eat all the fresh fruit because siblings can’t stand fruit or veg, DD3 loves a plate of carrots, broccoli, peas and LOVES FRUIT, ANY FRUIT, unfortunately has allergies but happily works around those. Big siblings literally take the 2 bites I insist on to shut me up. Then stuff themselves with anything else, love UPF, not proud of that, but it’s so far not affected them athletically. I am slowly seeing a mental change as they join more teams, which I really hoped happed.
Sadly life and many things out of my control affected my ideal perfect organic healthy lifestyle.
Anyway my point is, my dd is exactly the same size as her sisters who despise fruit and veg, they literally wear the same clothes and have grown exactly the same. My 12yo is still wearing 7/8 cycling shorts, but food wise, complete opposites and due to circumstances had far more UPFs which I’m now trying to unwind.
Me growing up, I can’t remember when I ate anything considered ultra processed. I suspect eating sweets etc. growing up absolutely every meal was fresh and pretty much organic. I never encountered a frozen chip until I met my SIL, I was about 19 at the time and couldn’t believe they would ever take off.
I think I was extremely lucky and left the UK in my 20s and grew up in a country with very natural food habits. It was only when I moved back with small children I realised how easy it was to feed my DCs processed food. I absolutely became lazy, I own that.
I have weight issues and get “some” genetically (body shape) and some my own issues. My DDs have my genes, I was brought up on 100% fresh and healthy food options yet still have weight and food issues. Then my DH, middle class, far more proceeded and fad food in 70s/80s, BIG SWEET tooth, actually and actively ignores any kind of fresh fruit and veg. He will force a stem of broccoli in his mouth, but he dose it to look like he’s eating it, but our DDs knows he can’t stand it. Now DHs physique- he’s not put an inch on since he was 16 - he’s a stick, fit, walks for miles, excellent swimmer but absolutely shit diet.
I know my DDs friend eats at least 4 times her sister, dd friend is 7yo, sibling, born same week 10yo. Older sister in 13yo clothes, adult shoes, slim slim slim. Younger sibling, eats and eats and eats 10yo clothes, size 3 shoes and slim slim slim. Parents, one never been over size 10 naturally ( I know because menopause has made her a 12 annd she tells me) other is physically bigger and heavier than Tyson Fury. Most houses he has to bend to enter. So his children will be big.
My DNiece & DNephew , 2 years apart, same parents, one a tiny eater, literally parents forcing them to eat at age 17, the other eating adult sized meals by age 4. It was like there was no actual stop in their stomach. Growing up food needed to be managed, it was so hard not to create food issues, but as a family we were united (as were close parent friends) on how to manage limits without causing issues. Now young adults, their eating habits haven’t changed, but both EXTREMELY I can not say how extreme, but they are both athletic, both on global and county circuits for their sports.
i absolutely hate when people try to put everything in fucking ridiculous boxs especially children.