As a child, you were likely taught the importance of finishing your main course before indulging in dessert.
However, one mother faced criticism, or “mum-shaming,” when her daughter deviated from this traditional order of eating – and her response was truly remarkable.
Ironically, Caroline, the founder of a kids’ lunchbox company called Pezzi, is well-versed in crafting nutritious meals for young ones.
Despite her expertise in creating mealtime solutions for children, Caroline was “mum-shamed” by her daughter’s teacher for allowing her to consume a cookie before finishing her sandwich and cucumber.
In a TikTok video shared under the handle @pezzi.shop, Caroline recounted how her daughter was scolded for eating “unhealthy” foods (the cookie) prior to the “healthy” options (the sandwich and cucumber).
Appalled by the preschool’s labeling of foods as “good” or “bad,” the mother sat down with her child to debunk this misconception, emphasizing that all foods hold equal value.
In the video’s caption, she expressed her frustration with the outdated notion enforced by the teacher, stating, “I told my daughter: ‘Well that’s silly. There are no good foods or bad foods. Food is just food.’”
“At three years old, someone has already instilled in her the concept of food being categorized as good or bad,” she lamented. “I am proud that she sensed something was amiss and felt comfortable enough to discuss it with me. We constantly reinforce this message at home.”
She further elaborated, “Eating only carrots or broccoli won’t provide the necessary protein for strong muscles. Similarly, consuming only chicken won’t supply sufficient energy for activities like running and playing throughout the day.”
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“We require a balanced intake of various food groups to support our ability to learn, play, and thrive.”
In response to the incident, Caroline penned a note to her daughter’s teacher, granting permission for Evelyn to consume her lunch in any sequence she preferred, emphasizing that no food items were inherently “good” or “bad.”
Following the video’s upload, it quickly garnered attention, reaching an audience of over 51,000 viewers thus far.
Commenters lauded the mother’s response, highlighting the potential detrimental effects of labeling foods as “good” or “bad.”
One supportive viewer commended, “Your approach is spot on. The notion of categorizing foods as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ can foster unhealthy eating behaviors.”
An educator shared, “My first graders often inquire about eating dessert first, and I always assure them that they can consume their meal in any order, as long as they finish it.”
Several individuals recounted similar encounters from their own preschool days, underscoring the lasting impact of such teachings.
A commenter reminisced, “During my kindergarten years, my teacher circulated a memo urging parents to provide only ‘healthy’ foods and restrict ‘unhealthy’ items to 1-2 lunches per week.”
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“In response, my mother deliberately packed a lunch composed entirely of ‘unhealthy’ foods.”
Encouraging children to consume vegetables can be challenging, making it all the more impressive that Caroline’s daughter completed her lunchbox despite the circumstances.