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The toddler chronicles in yesterday's journal continued long after I put the kindle to bed.
As I've had had experiences with real toddlers I know left to her own devices mine would likely eat nothing but Elmer's Glue and Fruit Rollups so some adult intervention is required. However, I found myself trying to recall some of their more enviable natural instincts.
I thought about visiting a daycare around feeding time ~ akin to Dian Fossey and her gorilla's in the mist. I wondered what other innocent instinctive behaviors could be recalled and relearned by watching it in toddlers and how I could continue to incorporate those in my way of eating do-over.
Maybe I just want a legitimate excuse for going through my second childhood?
I remember reading a while back that 'card tricks and slight of hand magic' don't go over that well at a toddler's birthday party. You may as well stick with balloon animals because at that age the audience is too young to have learned how to be distracted. Every single time they'll be able to spot 'the quarter is in your ear, the card is in your palm'. Tough little crowd.
But little by little, while being taught to not touch hot stoves or stick nickles in their noses, the ingenuity gets sucked out of them. Do this, don't do that. Stand in line and behave.
And so follows with eating. I read another study once that shared humans don't even crave sugar naturally unless they've had it. While the human body craves food and nourishment, the sugar is a learned craving. Something to think about.
As I'm always battling my compulsive behavior this interested me. Much like some people battling weight, myself included, will lament 'this is so much harder than recovering from alcoholism or smoking because you don't have to do those things at all but you do have to eat', well, it's kind of true.
So this reflection serves as a reminder to me that I must not dine on the play-do or mud-pie too often ~ it could be addictive.
Thank you for reading.
Bella
Diet Calendar Entries for 21 March 2013:
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1559 kcal
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Fat: 68.66g | Prot: 91.35g | Carb: 149.54g.
Breakfast: Chia Spectrum, Stripey Jack, Spinach, Onion, Sauerkraut Libby, Bacon, Cherry Tomato. Lunch: Cucumber, Crispy Sauerkraut, Meatloaf, Quinoa. Dinner: Egg, Bacon, Sartori, Tomato, Onion, Spinach. Snacks/Other: Kraft String, John Morrel Turkey, Apple Juice, Spectrum Chia, Milk, Fage, Golden Blend Schwans. more...
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 Comments
Who knows where we get our taste for sugar from but I have also read that we get our first taste for the sweet stuff from breast milk. So we're doomed from the get go! Or so it seems. Another thing about toddlers is that they have no impulse control - that is a learned behaviour. So I guess that means we have to teach our inner toddlers impulse control, too. Time out! Go sit in the naughty chair! LOL. Play-do doesn't sound too inviting but mud pie sounds like it could have possibilities (perhaps I'm thinking of the Mississippi variety!).
21 Mar 13 by member: evelyn64
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Sugar is a learned craving? I seriously didn't know that. Huh. That explains a lot, at least to me. I've ALWAYS been a salt craver. Once in a while I enjoy something sweet, but it's never something I even want very much of. I usually can't finish a dessert. I've never understood why people want it so badly, but considering how I lust after tortilla chips with an unholy fervor I really ought to know better! With all the other bad food habits I've gotten I am really perplexed about not having THIS one. Oh well-count my lucky stars, right?
21 Mar 13 by member: CollyMP
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I won't grow up! Not me! Interesting thing, I was visiting a friend in Canada, and they raised their children on really healthy foods! Good nutritious foods. The 3 year old and 3 others under 10 ALL were eating raw bell peppers! No salt, the 3 year old was eating fresh baked salmon plain, no sauce, and loving it. So much is learned from what we are taught. That family was amazing!
21 Mar 13 by member: Lizzygracemusic
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My two year olds were so stubborn. Ha. Like mother like child. I think my mother said she dipped my pacifier in honey before giving it to me. No wonder I have a sweet tooth. : (
21 Mar 13 by member: sharonfriz
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It is true we learn to eat at a young age..thats why some like fried Okra like in the south..or grits..I love both...but the okra you get at the resturants are nothing like my Aunt Thelma's..man oh man could she cook...:O)
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I'm sorry but sugar is most definitely not a learned craving. We like sweet because it's high energy and unlikely to be poisonous.
21 Mar 13 by member: riocaz
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I have reflected quite a bit on your last two journals. I was raised in the family that ate everything on your plate and did so in honor of the starving kids in (insert country name here). I fell asleep in a plate of brussel sprouts becuase I did not want to eat them. I got them for breakfast the next day. I believe that I have taken from your journaling the past two days the message you are seeking to convey. What worked in the past to lose weight may not work now, and what we did in our adult lives to lead us down a path to obesity certainly won't work and must stop. While I don't see paste and fruit loops in my future, there is a lot to be said for re-evaluating and taking things back to a fundamental level. And a little introspection and self evaluation never hurt anyone! Very thought provoking journals the past two days Bella, thank you!
21 Mar 13 by member: RiverRes
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I wonder how much weight I could lose on Elmer's Glue and Fruit Roll Ups........ Hmm.. :) That's interesting about sugar being a learned craving - It is pretty crummy that it always ends up being "the reward" for eating the stuff that's good for you.. Clean your plate and you'll get dessert, but if you don't eat your broccoli we will punish you by not letting you have dessert...
21 Mar 13 by member: erika2633
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Morning Bella, hope today is a sane day and that the 'kid' behaves itself. What more can we ask for?
22 Mar 13 by member: sarahsmum
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Good morning. Again, thank you for your insightful journal. I am thinking about the sugar craving within me. Normally I have an overdeveloped sweet tooth. But since having the flu (it's only been two days ago) I don't want sugar. I tried to finish off a piece of Coldstone Cremery cake last night and it actually nauseated me. YAY!!! I tossed over half of it away. ANOTHER YAY!! This morning I did go for an orange - but the feeling I was trying to satisfy was thirst. Good to know. I am encouraged by you. I am now thinking more of 'why' I am eating what I am eating. I hope you have a wonderful day. Stay healthy!
22 Mar 13 by member: CharleeSue
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