Food Choices
at Meetings
Jane Tuttle
Lawrence, Kansas, USA
Elaine Shirron
Acton, Massachusetts, USA
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 37 No. 2, April-May 2001, p. 35
As they lovingly care for
their own babies, La Leche League Leaders offer mothers examples of
ways to incorporate LLLI philosophy into their own mothering style.
One of LLLI's basic concepts reads "Good nutrition means eating
a well-balanced and varied diet of foods in as close to their natural
state as possible." The choices we make about food at meetings
are a demonstration of our understanding of this concept.
When Groups have snacks at
their Series Meetings, the snacks and drinks should be nutritious. Small
gestures to encourage wholesome foods at meetings can have successful
results. Perhaps a placard with the concept statement could be displayed
on the snack table. Other Leaders have encouraged mothers to try a recipe
from WHOLE FOODS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. The Group may have a library
copy of the cookbook available to loan to the mother who is bringing
snacks for the next meeting. Still other Leaders may provide the snacks
themselves with a copy of the recipe to show that wholesome, tasty foods
do not need to be complicated. Even adding the word "nutritious"
or "wholesome" before the word snack on the signup sheet might
yield healthier treats at meetings. These various approaches to this
topic are a gentle way to remind mothers that healthy food is important.
THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING
(1997 edition), page 213, explains the importance of wholesome food
this way. "Your baby will get off to a fine start on your milk.
You will want to build on this good start by giving him healthful foods
when he is ready for them and by teaching him nutritionally sound eating
habits that will become lifelong practices."
Another way to explore the
whole foods continuum is to make improving family nutrition the topic
of an Enrichment Meeting. The possible presentations are endless. Use
the WHOLE FOODS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY cookbook as the foundation for
the meeting. Explore the many recipes. Make a chart of healthy ingredient
substitutions for more commonly used processed foods. Before the meeting
figure out the nutritional content of a typical fast food children's
meal. Many restaurants post this information for the health-conscious
customer. Ask mothers to suggest additions to that meal to make it healthier
for growing bodies. Still another way to explore wholesome foods is
to bring all the cookbooks from the Group library for the mothers to
review. For those with access to a kitchen during the meeting, cook
some of the foods. This will take some pre-meeting planning, but would
be lots of fun. Providing accurate information about whole foods and
helping mothers choose wisely is an extension of the mother-to-mother
support Leaders offer.
Certainly there can be obstacles
to making wise food choices. A Leader may be tempted to stop on the
way to the meeting to pick up a snack for her preschooler or even a
quick meal for herself that is not as nutritious as what she would serve
at home. There is nothing inherently wrong with this. Yet this may send
a very mixed message to the mothers in attendance because they may not
know that this food choice is an exception to her normal eating habits.
Likewise, being overly critical
of food choices can be offensive to others. Offering both vegetarian
and meat snacks shows that LLL is accepting of those who make different
food choices. As with most things in life, moderation and balance are
key.
Eating a variety of foods
in as close to their natural state as possible can be part of everyone's
diet. "Introducing new foods requires tact, patience, and imagination"
(page 219, THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING). By making wise food choices
at meetings, we are helping mothers learn about another aspect of LLLI's
philosophy of mothering.
This article originally appeared
in the Leaders' Letter for LLL of Kansas, USA "La Mesa," Summer
2000, Issue 100.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:32:23 UTC 2007.
