McDonalds and fast food seems to be the “convenient” norm these days. Coincidentally heart disease, diabetes,and the obesity rate of this country are off the charts. I can’t believe how many really fat children I see on a daily basis!!! Fast food has absolutley NO nutritional value, it is filled with cancer causing chemicals and preservatives. I am with her completely, and will never feed my child that poison. As my children get older I will do my best to educate them as to why fast food is so unhealthy. I would bet just about anything that if fast food was completely elimintated from the American culture most health issues and obesity would decline substantially.

I actually somewhat agree with Ash.

I grew up being able to have whatever I want. Now as a almost 24 year old adult, I choose not to eat meat, I choose not to eat candy that often (there are times of the month if you know what I mean when I crave some chocolate) and I don’t drink soda.

I do once in awhile stop by a fast food place to grab some french fries or something else if I feel I just need something quick but I never crave it at all and I grew up eating it regularly.

It’s different strokes for differnet folks obviously. I won’t give my children sweets or sodas esp as toddlers but when they get older they are going to grow up being with friends who have it and do you think a 8 year old is going to say to his buddy, “sorry dude my mom would freak if she knew I had that!” – doubt it!!

I actually know a mother who doesn’t allow her kids to have any sweets, candy, sugary foods and we used to tease her. Well every chance her son got he was snatching snacks and candy off of all the kids at the daycare and he was only 2. So it just goes to show that even if they don’t have it when they find it they’ll want it!

I applaud Gwyneth but am not as strong in that department. I allow my son chicken nuggets from fast food places as a treat but then make the healthier choice side order instead of fries, like fruit or yogurt, and milk as the drink. One thing I do not allow my son to have is soda. He is great at eating veggies and trying all foods, the day he starts turning his nose up at healthy food is the day he won’t get those fast food treats from time to time. I do think fast food is terrible for us, I don’t think our bodies are made to digest it, but once or twice a month will not kill us. I admire those with 100% self control though.

hell, my child must be a PARTY ANIMAL! We prepare alot of whole foods at home, but also eat at fast food places about once a week, I too like the idea of fruit as a side item and I order it for myself too, but my child gets to enjoy Candy..it was a great part of my childhood and everybody could use a pixie stick

Well I respect her opinion… but i doubt if she doesnt prepare burgers, spaghetti, fries, sundaes etc at home besides those are real food so what’s wrong with them…. personally as a parent i let my kids eat fast food. But im quite strict when it comes to chips, candies and sodas, coz they’re not healhty!

My parents never kept me from eating junk food growing up. They always had a big jar of candy in the kitchen for my sister and I whenever we wanted some. Now that I have a degree in psychology, I can say with confidence that my parents’ use of reverse psychology worked. We grew up not really wanting candy or junk food because we could have it anytime we wanted it… therefore, it wasn’t considered anything special. We’re both very thin now (my sister is actually too thin… 5′6″, 95 lbs) so, as you can see, a little junk food here and there didn’t kill us.

On the other hand, I had friends whose parents never let them eat junk food so whenever they came over to my house, they would pig out on the candy. And as adults, they’re the ones who are now obese. So while it’s important to raise your children with healthy eating habits, it’s equally important to teach them how to eat bad foods in moderation. When they get to college and they’re tempted by $5 pizza specials and fast food restaurants on campus, they are going to need the skills to cope with those temptations. There’s a reason why so many kids gain the “Freshman 15.” When you’re cramming for finals and live in a dorm with no kitchen, it’s easy to resort to fast foods.

My parents raised my sister and brother and I as vegetarians. No junk food either. None. No fizzy drinks, nothing greesey or fried. And I still tend to eat this way out of preference due to my upbringing. However, with a rather carnivorous husband and three growing children, I now eat meat. I should point out though, my parents were not vegetarians because of animal cruelty, that was never an issue. They just preferred everything clean and organic, and so do I.

But my children, like me, have never had junk food, fast food included. And they definitely don’t feel deprived. I think giving children junk food as treats makes them think it’s something special, something to get ahold of. My kids don’t think this way and neither did I. And my sister is a vegan of her own accord. I’m glad my mum and dad fed us healthy food and I think my children will feel the same.

And chances are, in that environment, Apple and Moses will be health freaks too. I know here in London, the absolute ‘home’ of the ‘yummy mummy’ thing, it’s very fashion forward. Dropping our kids off to school, mothers seem to talk about nothing more then their healthy lifestyles and what guru they see now. I hope Gwyneth has a better reason!

I’m with Gwyneth on this one. Junk food is not a ‘treat’, it’s rubbish. My Mum felt that way so I grew up not drinking soft drink or eating crisps and never going to fast food outlets, and I never felt like I was being deprived. I am a normal, healthy and sane adult now and I will be bringing up my daughter the same way.

The only think I have to say is that parents, normally, try to do what they think better for their children. If she thinks is better for Apple and Moses not to eat fast food better for them. I hope I’ll be able to raise my children as vegetarian one day so…