21st Century Parenting

21st Century Parenting Let’s taLk Breaky

By Olivia Sinco

A few years ago, after a nasty flu season, I set out to make changes to my family’s wellbeing. I’ve discovered that what, when, and how they eat is everything when it comes to kids’ immunity, emotional health, and behaviour. I also began to recognise breakfast time as pivotal in maximising our family’s emotional health.

I recently found myself in a hot debate about food with a 12-year-old in front of 50 other students and two teachers. Grade 5/6 were learning about persuasive language and were in a class discussion, learning how to speak convincingly about why “People should stop eating meat.”

One of the classroom teachers, a friend, knowing that I’m mainly plant-based, had asked me to talk a little bit about what I know. So, I appealed to the class based on them wanting ample energy for their chosen sport. I pointed out that while meat might

“…while meat might taste nice and fill them up, the real fuel for their bodies and brains are carbohydrates…”

taste nice and fill them up, the real fuel for their bodies and brains are carbohydrates, the premium source being fruit and vegetables.

However, Mr ‘always eloquent and first to raise his hand’ shot back at the concept, stating that meat was good for us as it contained iron and some other vitamins and minerals. I had about 13 seconds of class attention to plant a seed that I hoped may raise awareness for these students later on. “Maybe”, I replied, “but it’s

questionable as to whether any of this goodness actually reaches us. You see, meat has a lot of natural fat. It is often cooked in oil and, as with any kind of food high in fat, creates a barrier to absorbing and utilising the goodness in our digestive systems.”

I admit I was interested to see how this age group would consider this information. There was quiet, and I could see that I was up against some very well worn in habits; a cheese and ham sandwich for lunch or tuna and salami sticks for morning tea. I was also a part of this ‘high protein club’ ten years ago.

Some of the most valuable information I’ve taken on board in elevating our diets has come from Author Anthony William – also known as The Medical Medium. In his blog, ‘Critical Clean Carbohydrates’, Anthony writes… “Raw honey,

fruit, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash and coconut water… provide our organs, tissues, muscles and cells with the glucose they need to help us stay alive and thrive”.

He also warns about a ‘hyperfocus’ on eating a high-fat diet that many people are accustomed to now, saying, “…this way of

eating blocks critical glucose absorption.”

I’ve discovered a shift away from the traditional nightly meal in my desire to cook, eat, and connect better in our home. The ceremonial setting of the table, serving a well-thought-out dinner and talking and listening doesn’t seem to come together during the busy working week. The opportunity for sitting, eating and focused talking and listening happens more for us at breakfast!

“…growing up, breakfast was often porridge with salt and cream - delicious!”

My mum is Scottish, so growing up, breakfast was often porridge with salt and cream - delicious! However, in keeping with what I’ve learned, this meal exists for us now as a fat-free carbohydrate heaven. I am sometimes asked how I manage to do all that I do in a day, and I feel the answer to this is porridge.

In summer, we let it cool and add fresh strawberries with raw honey or pineapple and maple syrup. In winter, chopped apples go into the pot with sultanas and cinnamon and stew while the oats are cooking.

“They don’t seem to have any capacity to ‘discuss’; they simply want to vent.”

Sitting together in the morning sharing food like this suits my kids and how they seem to process their daily lives. Dinnertime can be more of a time where they ‘let off steam’ about what has happened in the day with friends or difficult teachers. They don’t seem to have any capacity to ‘discuss’; they simply want to vent. This allowance for their release in itself is an integral part of emotional support. Still, the real connection happens in the morning, when they’ve ‘reset’. I find it pays to listen to what they have to say; their stories, no longer charged with emotion, are described diplomatically. Sitting, sharing a bowl of porridge and being there to catch those moments is the perfect chance to talk about choices and discuss why people might behave the way they do.

Raising and maintaining wellbeing is a recipe of clean nutrition, good timing, conscious emotional processing, and consistently being present for my family.

Olivia Sinco is an Education Support Worker, Facilitator of the 21st Century Parenting Program and artist.

Image Credit: Pixabay