I Feed My Kids Nutella and That’s OK

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I Feed My Kids Nutella and That's OK | Columbia SC Moms BlogRecently, Kelly Clarkson posted an adorable video on Instagram of her two-year-old daughter trying Nutella for the first time. As you can probably imagine, the haters out there had a field day with this. Poor Kelly was ripped to shreds with comments saying she’s a bad mother because the Palm Oil in Nutella causes cancer. Some commented it has too much sugar and her daughter will get fat. Then there were those who even dared to say that Kelly Clarkson giving her child Nutella is a form of child abuse. Child abuse! Really? 

(By the way, Palm Oil has to reach a certain temperature when cooked in a product for it to possibly emit contaminates that can be cancer causing. It does NOT reach this temperature when it’s used in Nutella. So, Nutella lovers rejoice and eat that wonderful hazelnut chocolate goodness until your hearts content! And go ahead and feed it to your kids. I do!) 

I think things have gotten a little out of control in how our society judges others. And how we as moms judge each other. Don’t you think? Especially when it comes to how we take care of our children. The sad thing is that it isn’t just in the media. It infiltrates our daily lives and even our play dates…

My Story… 

I love my mom tribe, but there is one way in which I am different from most of them – I don’t feed my family all organic, non GMO, chemical free, cage free, etc. foods. Nope. I feed them “normal” foods. Foods like Nutella, with (gasp) sugar and vegetable oil (instead of coconut oil and/or other “healthier” oils). I cook with aluminum foil and let my kids eat foods others deem to be unhealthy. And you know what? That’s OK. 

Sometimes I can’t help but laugh to myself when on a play date with friends and they’re all talking about how they bought this or that organic food and they only let their kids snack on fruit and vegetables, all while I’m feeding my kids goldfish crackers and fruit snacks right in front of them. Ha! Maybe they’ll mention how their foods are so much healthier than other “bad” foods. And do you know what I think to myself in those moments? Yeah, there is truth to what they’re saying. I know that there are foods, like sugar, that aren’t healthy. And I don’t feed my kids that stuff all the time, but I do let them have it. And you know what, my tribe doesn’t judge me for it. 

I know my kids. I know what the pediatrician tells me about how healthy they are and how well they’re growing. My boys eat Teddy Grahams, Cheeze-it’s, and Oreos and are NOT overweight. They aren’t any less healthy than kids who are only fed organic, non GMO foods. 

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Now, please don’t misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong with eating all organic, non GMO, etc. It’s great, if you can do it! I have nothing against it. It’s just not how I choose to do things for my family. Those kinds of foods tend to cost more and with two growing little boys who are ALWAYS hungry, I already pay an arm and a leg in groceries every week (I don’t even want to think about how much I”ll be spending when they’re teenagers!). I also know that feeding them Oreos and Nutella all the time aren’t good for them. Give me some credit here. Everything in moderation, right? But I also know that I don’t have to take those foods out of their diet completely. And it’s OK! I just wish other people saw it that way.

Let’s Not Judge…

Here’s what it really comes down to; each momma has to decide what’s right for her family. What’s right for you may not be what’s right for me. And, again, that’s OK.

But do you know what’s not ok? Judging others for their choices. Kelly Clarkson did not deserve the onslaught of negative comments she received for giving her daughter Nutella. And neither do you or I for the choices we make. Maybe you vaccinate, maybe you don’t. Maybe you see a homeopathic doctor or maybe you go to a standard pediatrician. Perhaps you cloth diaper and others use disposable. Maybe you’re a mom who chose not to breastfeed. Whatever it is, know that it’s your choice and no one has a right to judge you for it. 

You are a strong mama doing what’s best for her family. You take care of them, nurture them, and help your children grow up to be strong, well adjusted, healthy adults. 

And whether you feed your kids Nutella or sugar free everything, you’re doing it RIGHT

You’re doing an AMAZING job!

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