Working Women who don't cook&obesity

[Beth76]

I stay at home, but I don't always cook. I have a very busy 3yo and am 9 months pregnant. I can't cook everynight---I'm too exhausted. But, that doesn't mean I go out and get mcdonald's everynight. We might go to Subway or Panera. I get prepared food from my grocery store deli. It's not a matter of being lazy or too busy to cook. It's a matter of choosing healthy food. I don't buy a lot of junk food and leave it in the house. We very rarely eat at your typical fast food restaurant (ie McDs). That's a choice that we make. Just because someone doesn't want to cook (for whatever reason) doesn't mean that they have to choose to eat junk. Believe me, I could make from scratch an entire meal that is far worse to eat than a turkey sandwich from Subway.

 

[goofy4tink]

SAHM here with an extremely skinny dd. But, that's genetics, othe two kids (much older) were always on the large side, again genetics (different dad). I do cook most meals, but dd is extremely picky. Lots of peanut butter, yogurt, pudding, SunnyD, cheese, hot dogs...that kind of thing. Now....as to those overweight kids.....a lot of parents I know actually feed their kids, in the car, on the run from fast food places. The kids are involved in so many activities that there is no time for a home cooked meal. What with the super sizing of most fast food meals what can you expect? Healthy food is just as easy to feed if you give it some forethought. My basic premise??? Eat less, move more!!! In our house junk food is a treat. Dd doesn't drink very much soda either. She actually prefers water!! Am I obsessed with her eating? No, not really. McD's is a special treat usually. We do eat at regular sit-down restaurants more than we should, but dd eats grilled cheese or pasta with butter/parm cheese. No one is perfect and eating is a real 'button pusher'.

My older dd, 27 and a preschool teacher, saw my 10 y/o's lunch menu sheet from school a week or so ago. She was appalled!! She wanted to know why they (the school) offered such high fat foods. She was really annoyed with the 'double-cheeseburger' offering!!! Says now she knows why the kids look the way they look!

 

[Beth76]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
My older dd, 27 and a preschool teacher, saw my 10 y/o's lunch menu sheet from school a week or so ago. She was appalled!! She wanted to know why they (the school) offered such high fat foods. She was really annoyed with the 'double-cheeseburger' offering!!! Says now she knows why the kids look the way they look!

That reminds me. I graduated from HS 10 years ago. At any given day in the cafeteria we could get Pizza Hut pizza, chesseburgers, french fries, potato skins, and chocolate malts--that's just what I can remember. Also, there were plenty of soda machines. Even in junior high, we could get that stuff---EVERY DAY!!!! I was in my junior high builidng a few weeks ago. While I have no idea what they're serving for lunch these days, I did see several soda machines.

Can we blame working moms for this? Well, I'm sure the OP could come up with something.

 

[Pugdog007]

Originally posted by Beth76
Can we blame working moms for this? Well, I'm sure the OP could come up with something.

I'm not quite sure what the OP intended... but maybe he/she will respond to this.

I simply stated that working Mom's today are a CONTRIBUTOR to obesity... and I stand by that statement.

 

[cheyita]

Originally posted by clutter
Thanks Pop Daddy! i have a thing hanging in my kitchen that says "if you are what you eat, I'm cheap, fast and easy."

ROFL!!!

I love it! I want that! Granted - not quite the best message once my kids are old enough to get the innuendo, but I LOVE IT!!

Once, when explaining to my daughter how life was different for us as kids (i.e. cable, videos, etc.) - when we brought up the lack of a microwave, my daughter's shocked response was, "Well then how did you eat??"

 

[Teejay32]

One of my DDs has always been in the 95th percentile range for height and weight, the other in the 50th percentile. One loves to eat, the other is the worst kind of picky. I worry about both of them. The younger one because she's blessed with my metabolism and might never have a weight problem, though it may be three months before we see her eat a green vegetable again. And the older one because she has her father's metabolism and will probably always be watching her weight, though she eats the way she should. It doesn't seem fair.

 

[Beth76]

Originally posted by Pugdog007
I simply stated that working Mom's today are a CONTRIBUTOR to obesity... and I stand by that statement.

I disagree. Working moms who make poor food choices for themselves and their children contribute. But, then you would also have to say working dads and stay-at-home moms and dads. Just because a mom works doesn't mean contributing to obesity. You've heard several posters here who have said that they work and still come home and prepare a good meal for their families.

 

[Cruise04]

Why don't we just say working moms should go to hell because we have to work and can't be at home 24/7 with our kids. That's what is being relayed to our kids on a daily basis. So why not. And that everything is their mothers fault because she has to work. So when I stop working to be home with my kid 24/7 are you going to ***** when I come here and say I had to go on welfare to live????

But then again because we work we must purchase poor food and groceries for our kids. Yup, that's the reason. Because we work we can't cook right, buy groceries right or raise our kids right. Just say it! You've gone a round about way of saying it anyway.

Yeah - I'm defensive because I'm a working mom and unfortunately have to be - sad sad sad world we live in isn't it! Yeah, it's my fault that my kid is overweight (and every other working mother).

 

[missypie]

It was me whose DH is a SAHD and doesn't cook. He is the only one in the family who is over weight. The rest of us are no where near. DH simply refuses to do the easy things you can do to cut out on stuff that is bad to eat...he won't prepare chicken without the skin; he buys lots of packaged "convenience" foods with an extraordinarily high salt and/or fat content; he won't buy low fat or "lite" salad dressings unless I specify it on the shopping list. If ice cream or chips or cookies are on sale at the grocery store, we end up with a house full of them, even if I ask him not to buy them. (I've asked him to at least stop finishing the food on the kids' plates and he won't even agree to that.)

With that said, body type does have a lot to do with obesity. One DD is 11 and doesn't eat much at all. She's not overweight, but is by no means skinny. I can see heaviness in her future if she doesn't really watch it. The other DD is 8 and eats a lot more than the 11 year old; she is skin and bones (and muscle, since she is a gymnast).

 

[Pugdog007]

Originally posted by Cruise04
Why don't we just say working moms should go to hell because we have to work and can't be at home 24/7 with our kids. That's what is being relayed to our kids on a daily basis. So why not. And that everything is their mothers fault because she has to work. So when I stop working to be home with my kid 24/7 are you going to ***** when I come here and say I had to go on welfare to live????

But then again because we work we must purchase poor food and groceries for our kids. Yup, that's the reason. Because we work we can't cook right, buy groceries right or raise our kids right. Just say it! You've gone a round about way of saying it anyway.

Yeah - I'm defensive because I'm a working mom and unfortunately have to be - sad sad sad world we live in isn't it! Yeah, it's my fault that my kid is overweight (and every other working mother).

Yeah ok - everything you said.

I certainly don't apologize for working... I enjoy working and it affords us trips to Disney as well as other luxuries like a home. You shouldn't apologize either, just acknowledge there are trade-offs.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Originally posted by Beth76
I disagree. Working moms who make poor food choices for themselves and their children contribute. But, then you would also have to say working dads and stay-at-home moms and dads. Just because a mom works doesn't mean contributing to obesity. You've heard several posters here who have said that they work and still come home and prepare a good meal for their families.

I also think portion size control has a lot to do with.

 

[ScarlettO]

Originally posted by Pugdog007
I'm not quite sure what the OP intended... but maybe he/she will respond to this.

I simply stated that working Mom's today are a CONTRIBUTOR to obesity... and I stand by that statement.

Ug, pugdog.....I just started this thread because-even though C.Ann asked for no debate type responses on her thread about her DD's very ill obese friend , YOU had to make some cutting-and very inappropriate I might add- remarks on that thread.

I haven't eaten fast food in years-my teens only eat Subway's(occasionally)..we grill(George Foreman) chicken breasts and throw them on a salad-fast as "Fast Foood".

 

[Cruise04]

But my weight, nor my childs, is not a factor of me working. That's the main point I'm trying to get at! But since everything is blamed on working moms, why not this. That was my other point.

There are trade offs - I can enjoy a life I would never have imagined because I work. And I have been able to afford a good education for my child. That I am VERY proud of. I just get tired of being slammed and getting everything blammed on me because I'm a working mom. It's been something that has gone on for years whether people want to recognize it or not. Am I jealous of SAHM's, sometimes. Then I see what some of them don't get to have that I do. And that changes my mind!

 

[jrydberg]

Just because a mom works doesn't mean contributing to obesity.

Yep... and just because a mom or dad stays at home doesn't mean he/she doesn't contribute to a child's obesity. It's not that simple, but it usually is in the parents' hands one way or another.

Cruise04, while it may not be a factor in your particular family, it likely is in others. I guess my point is that with a stay at home parent, it is easier. With a 2 parent household, it is easier. That isn't to say it can't be done right without a stay at home parent or without both parents. But living in a society where both parents often work does have an impact on kids. I'm not blaming working mothers. I'm blaming parents who make poor decisions.

 

[suzannen]

I'm a working mom who cooks almost every night. We don't eat fast food, we eat - GASP - a lot of salads and vegetables with grilled chicken, meat and fish with fruit for dessert. On the weekends when DH and I are not working is when we are much more likely to eat fast foods. None of us in my family has any weight problems, we're all thin. We also find the time to excercise within our busy schedules.

It would be nice if folks would stop blaming all of the ills of the earth on working mothers.

 

[Cruise04]

I'm not blaming working mothers. I'm blaming parents who make poor decisions.

Thank You!!! Part of my point, I just didn't say it right.

But sometimes people are overweight even with making the right decisions. Moreso it is those that aren't making the right decisions. I don't always make the right decision - I admit that. There are times when I'm very tired or I have a meeting or something and it's easier to throw a hamburger on the George Foreman than a chicken breast (moreso if they are in a frozen package of more than one). There are times when I want that soda instead of water. There are times I want that candy bar/chocolate instead of the piece of fruit sitting on my desk. But it doesn't make me a bad person. There are nights that I don't want to exercise and so I chose to sit and watch something on television. Is it every night - NO. There are nights that I don't "work out" but I'm cleaning the house, and hard like I've been doing the past 5 days. Is that a bad decision - to some probably. We all make poor decisions, not just with our food or our lack of exercise. It's called LIFE! Society just doesn't like it sometimes so they badmouth it.

And I know people who are overweight, they exercise, they eat healthy and they are still considered overweight because of what society has put as a label.

 

[battricia]

For the record, here is the quote from Pugdog007 from the other thread (which started this thread)

We have become a fast food nation since women decided they wanted to work!

Don't blame scarlettO, she was just trying to bring it to another thread, and I don't believe she agrees with it, so please don't jump down her throat.

As for the topic, the quote is ignorant, and seems as if pugdog is trying to make herself feel a little better for feeding her children fast food. However not every working mother feeds her children fast food all the time, and if you ask me, why the heck aren't husbands/fathers helping with the cooking if both parents work?

Also the quote insinuates that women are some sort of rebel for going out and *GASP* getting a JOB! When they should be at home cooking their children good healthy meals!

tricia.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Fast food...

Hmmm. Souper Salad is just as fast as MCD's.

Most fast food places serve salads.

Alot of sub shops serve turkey sandwiches and other more healthy choices.

I don't think fast food is horrible when it's once in a while, and I think the selections I listed above are far more healthy than some of things people whip up quick at home.

 

[Hillbeans]

IMO, just because you eat at home doesn't mean you eat healthy.

I sometimes get FF for dinner, but we get a small burger - not a super whopper. Portion control is the key. I'm a size 6/8. And I work FT too (gasp).

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by jrydberg
Agreed Christine... that's why I say blame the parents. Especially in a household where the mother is working, dad needs to take a good bit of the responsibility. If a single parent can do it, surely between two it can be done. It's a question of priorities.

Honestly though, I think overweight kids have a lot more to do with lack of activity than junk food. I didn't exactly eat "healthy" while growing up. But I was outside playing all the time, burning it all off instead of sitting at a computer/tv/video game. You've got a lot more to work with on burning calories than on the intake (everyone's gotta eat something).

I agree 100%.. when I was a kid we were outside playing sports all day long in the summer, breaking only for meals and sodas, quite often lunch was a sub a bag of chips and a quart of schocolate milk or a quart of soda, not a very healthy diet, but we burned it all of before dinner by playing baseball or basketball, or tennis all day long..

too much tv, computers and video games have taken their toll on our youth..

I've seen kids who eat healthy foods but play video games all day, and are overweight..

I've also seen kids who eat junk, but play outside all day and have no weight problems..


diet may be a factor, but I believe activity or the lack there of contributes more