By this time of the year, people have either completed their Whole30 or 21-Day Fix or they are abandoning ship after failing to keep their hands out of the cookie jar.
Everywhere I turn, it’s “eat clean” this or “cut out” that.
Sometimes this talk makes me question my eating habits, will power, and willingness to fuel my body in the best way possible, but other times it frustrates me!
Despite my skepticism toward dietary trends, I’ve read some thought-provoking and successful accounts, which is why I’m just going to keep my mouth quiet about diets from this point forward.
Why? Because diets are a lot like parenting.
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You see, much like with parenting, we must do what works for our own health and lifestyle.
As long as you’re taking care of yourself and your loved ones, it doesn’t really matter what outsiders think.
Let’s look at the why and how of choosing a particular diet.
Scenario 1: Every time I eat pasta or a piece of baguette, my stomach aches and my brain feels foggy. I think I’ll experiment with a gluten-free diet!
While it may be worth a visit to your physician to run some allergy tests, blood panels, or even an endoscopy/biopsy (for Celiac), there’s nothing wrong with avoiding certain foods if they cause you discomfort.
As long as you don’t start preaching to me how “wheat is the devil” or “gluten is so unhealthy—you shouldn’t eat bread,” it is not my place to comment on your diet. In fact, I will wish you well because you’re (hopefully) healing yourself.
Scenario 2: We have our own garden and raise chickens—so I only eat organic vegetables and free-range eggs.
It must be so rewarding to see the fruits of your labor—and I bet those yolks are so rich and delicious—but I just don’t have the time to garden or the extra cash to spend on organic, free-range, etc. Because it’s important for my family to eat a variety of nutrients, I’m going to buy the best-looking produce and stick to the budget-friendly eggs.
Scenario 3: I’ve been feeling so lethargic lately and have been relying on too many processed foods. I’m going to complete my first Whole30!
Good for you! While I don’t like to demonize foods—it’s pretty well accepted that you should fill your diet with foods as close to their natural state as possible and eat everything else in moderation.
Whole30 can be a fantastic program, and I hope you’re successful. But don’t be surprised if I don’t join you. I eat a (fairly) balanced diet—and since I don’t feel any negative effects from grains, legumes, or dairy, I’m just going to keep eating them, thankyouverymuch.
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So how does this relate to parenting? Oh, let me count the ways. Just like with diets, it seems like there is a book or opinion being thrown in your face on everything parenting-related.
Breastfeeding vs. formula. Daycare vs. staying at home. Co-sleeping vs. crying it out in the crib. Baby Led Weaning vs. cereal and purees.
As a relatively new mom, the opinions (and downright judgments) are overwhelming.
I say, as long as your child is safe, fed, clean, and happy—YOU DO YOU! Let’s look at the why of parenting choices.
Scenario 1: Nursing has gone relatively easy for me, so we’re doing extended breastfeeding—no formula. We will not be feeding any jarred foods—only table food and homemade purees!
That is so incredible—and I applaud you! It’s well-known that breastfeeding has many health benefits for mom and baby. As long as you don’t judge me for supplementing when my pumping output was low or buying armfuls of Plum Organics and Gerber when I just didn’t have time to steam sweet potatoes and broccoli, then I respect you.
Scenario 2: I just can’t stand to miss out on all of these moments, so you bet I’m going to stay at home with baby until he’s old enough for pre-school.
I’m really happy that you have that kind of financial security and admire you for your hard work as a SAHM. As long as you don’t look down on me for returning to work, I completely support your decision. In fact, my mother stayed at home with me for most of my childhood, so I know it has many benefits!
Scenario 3: Co-sleeping? Heck no. I just have to have my space, so we put baby in his crib as early as we could.
Oh, man, I totally feel you. In fact, I was lucky enough to have an independent little sleeper for the first 6 months of his life, but when his sleep became an issue, you bet we decided to co-sleep (sometimes) because everybody needs their rest—especially when work starts in 2 hours and baby’s wide awake.
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//via//
Hopefully you see my point. We all live very different lifestyles, and we all have unique health concerns. What works for the stay-at-home mom just may not work for the mother who commutes 45 minutes to the job she relies on for her family’s health insurance.
What tastes good to me and makes me feel energized just may not be something you enjoy eating—especially if causes an allergic reaction or blood sugar spike!
From now on, let’s do each other a favor and keep the diet and parenting judgments to ourselves. At the end of the day, we’re all just trying to do what’s best for our family and our health.
[linking up for thinking out loud]
- What’s the craziest parenting criticism you’ve ever heard?
- Have you ever had to make changes in your diet for health reasons—and did you ever experience criticism?
- What’s one food you could never give up?
The post How Diets are Like Parenting (And Why You Should STFU About Both) appeared first on A Cup of Catherine.