Two Strategies to Change Your Child’s Diet

A recent client, Jane, expressed her profound worry about her 13-year-old-son, Kyle, who is acting out in extreme and inappropriate ways. Kyle lives on shoddy carbs. She asked if I could change his diet.

“No, I cannot. Unless, that is, Kyle is willing to explore options,” is the best I could offer. While upgrading a toddler’s diet is easy and starts with having good quality food at home, it’s different as children grow and have out-of-house food options.

Your second strategy for supporting healthy eating habits in older children (and even adults) is to engage their curiosity. Help them observe the cause and effect of diet on their emotions, health and appearance. That’s the starting point. When they get the connection between chips and zits, there’s the doorway. Empower them to explore further.

I also urged Jane to find a progressive doctor for Kyle, one who, before prescribing drugs, first suggests diet and lifestyle changes to resolve extreme mood swings. We then went to work on her diet so that she can “keep her footing” in the midst of family turmoil. Let’s trust that her good example will one day inform Kyle and others.

How do we skillfully face difficult times? I recently heard a great answer when I heard HH Dalai Lama speak on “Inspiration for Global Environment” in Portland, Oregon. His response to the question “How do we not become overwhelmed and despondent about crises such as global warming?” is worth paraphrasing:

Analyze the nature of the problem. If you cannot change the situation, don’t worry so much or be overly sad, as that only increases the suffering. But examine the situation. Then find and engage in a positive action that you can undertake, and work on it with confidence.”

While I cannot reverse the 400-ppm carbon dioxide threshold, I can examine my lifestyle and reduce emissions. What other positive action might I—or Jane—accomplish? While we cannot change a neighbor’s carbon emissions or a child’s shoddy diet, we can responsibly care for ourselves and be a positive role model for others.