My son's spare tire disappered within the first month of low carbing. Understand we don't restrict his calories at all, just the carbs, so this was real evidence for us that low carbing WORKS.
My husband and I eat no dairy products at all...my husband because he is allergic, and me because I'm paleo. My son eats a few dairy products, but only the high fat/low carb ones. He loves cheese strings, butter, and whipping cream.
My son took to vegetables like a fish takes to water, but admittedly because there wasn't much left for him to eat once we took out the carbs! He was pleasantly surprised to find that he likes most of them, and had a good attitude about trying things.
For birthday parties we still low carb...but I make awesome low carb desserts (if I say so myself!). We understand that we made this choice for our health, and why should we blow it on crap food to celebrate a birthday? There are better ways to celebrate than with food!
If my son is going to someone else's house for sleepover, or for a party, I send a small cooler full of food with him. It's easy for us to get away with this without offending people or weirding them out because he does have a genuine medical condition. I usually speak to the parents ahead of time and reassure them that my son is delighted to be their guest, and will enjoy himself just as much as the other kids do, and that they have no reason to feel guilty or bad for him because he's not eating their food. The kids take it all in stride..."Oh yeah, Tony's diabetic, so he eats his special food." Kids are just fine, it's the adults who need to be patted down!
Niwotmom, I want to encourage you (if you haven't already) to speak frankly to your children about the food choices you are making for them, and get them fully on board. It's so much easier when the children understand why they are making certain food sacrifices, and that these foods are, quite frankly, really really really bad for them anyway! They will need this understanding in order to turn down the treats that will constantly be presented to them at school (I can't believe how often schools roll out the crap) and at friends' houses. You will be SO TEMPTED to give in JUST THIS ONCE because we all love to TREAT our kids...but what were treats for you and me are now everyday foods for our kids, and that's mostly why kids are so darn heavy these days! Remember, that this "treat" food is crap! Just crap!
Stay strong, and advocate for your kids! You are doing a WONDERFUL thing for them!
|