"Eat it while you're young"...is this statement sending the wrong message to kids about food?

[Prof_Don]

"Eat it while you're young" = you can eat junk food as much as you want because you're a kid/teen/young adult, but when you get older you won't be able to eat these foods anymore.

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I find this statement to be damaging to kids in terms of setting up proper food habits. Don't people think about how that kid consistently gorging on junk food early in life, has caused diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes to develop in that person during their adult years?

I don't know about you, but I want to occasionally enjoy eating a bacon cheeseburger and fries when I'm 40, instead of saying something like "my high blood pressure won't let me eat that; I might have a stroke at the table".

Ah, the predicaments that people put themselves into by greed. :(

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Imo, instilling the habit into kids, that eating junk food in moderation, means that he/she can eat Snickers, Cold Stone ice cream, smothered chicken, caramel apples, cheesecake, and alfredo sauce when they're 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 15, 18, 25, 30, 40, and beyond. :)

Why burn out your health with gluttony and stress about adverse medical effect and side effects of medication whenever you want to treat yourself when you're in your 30s and beyond? :(

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Please share your thoughts about this "Eat it while you're young" statement. Thanks for answering this rant! 8-)

[Izzy2102]

lol I doubt anyone takes this too seriously, particulary not someone who already has weight issues when they're young.

It's true that metabolisim slows down as grow older, so you need to eat less to stay slim while most 18 or 19 year olds can still eat what they want calorie wise, without getting fat. That doesn't make fast food anymore healthy though and I think most people realize that. Fast food is bad, no matter at what time you eat it.

If someone woul stick to it though, then yes it's absolutley damaging. The eating habits you adapt until you are 10 will not change unless you put a lof effort into it

[Nicefuture]

It just needs some Correction: Eat healthy while you're young .

[Prof_Don]

That's a good kitty! :)

[Nicefuture]

:)

[Anonymous]

That statement was true back in the day, before video games, back when your mom said it's nice out side, go hang out with your friends, shoot some hoops, swim, ride bikes, or explore the woods, and don't come back until it's getting dark. Back in the day that's what we did, we were outside all day running around.

Back then we could eat anything and just burn it off very quickly. Look at kids today, most now have social issues, sit at home and play video games every day and night, their parents don't cook food, its fast food every day, and cookies for breakfast.

[martyfellow]

it's just as unhealthy when you are young. WE have teenagers with serious atherosclerosis from fast food...Yes, it encourages a buynow pay later attitude, like a lot of things about modern US culture. You'll pay your whole life long for bad habits you start when young.

[Kiraskrazy180]

I agree. I was told the same things growing up until I turned 19 and gained the "freshmen fifteen"after my freshmen year of college. I looked huge and people STILL told me to eat what I want because I am young and I can eat whatever I wanted until I turned 30. I think that's bs, tell your kids its okay to be chubsters, while all of the kids in school are comparing them to Peter Griffin. It's not right and I think young people should be encouraged to be on mild diets and eat a lot healthier. Stop feeding them garbage so they could find a date to prom, sheesh...

[Prof_Don]

True story...i was inspired to ask this question based on a question you asked!

[Kiraskrazy180]

Thats great. I see you're really looking out for gag users.

[LexiNinja]

I blame the food companies. They make everything that's unhealthy for you cheap and the more healthier foods expensive. That's why more people are prone to get bad food. Also, my mom til this day tells me to eat more. Not that I think she wants me to get fat, but she doesn't want me to worry about what I am eating? I don't know if that sounds right, but when you're a teenager, your body is still growing. I don't know, but I see what your saying. I personally eat healthy just because I want to maintain a healthy weight

[Anonymous]

I agree with it.

There's food I'd NEVER eat like Hot Cheetos, spicy, and all that because I heard they cause stomach ulcers but now I got older and have a digestive disorder that I need to take chemotherapy for. My system didn't have a tolerance that was set up from eating everything offered so once I tried it a couple of times (as an adult) and my body went haywire and now I'm stuck with a life-long condition. It's like germs - if you played in dirt a lot or was bare-footed outside then those people tend to have a better immune system when their older compared to coddled "put you shoes on" and "dont get dirt on your clothes" adults.

Believe it or not people the biggest fear is weight and ooo blood pressure you disgestive/immune system itself can be compromised if you don't have a tolerance.

That's why you're weaned off of milk

[thisislifebaby]

I hate it when people say that it is just pure stupidity and breeds bad eating habits that chances are if you start them as a kid/teen they will stick your whole life. I am a teen and people say that to me and I just think NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO why would I eat food that I know is that bad for me but then again I can't eat gluten or dairy so I can't exactly eat junk food anyway.

[madmisskelly]

It is incredibly damaging to say this to a kid.

Kids develop the eating habits that will stay with them for their adult lives during adolescence, and letting them eat whatever the hell they want and as much as they want os setting them up for a lifetime of diabetes, obesity, health risks and other problems.

[rachiee]

I definitely don't agree with it. Its teaching kids bad habits. Also, not all kids have a fast metabolism and still gain the weight. I believe that as long as you practice a healthy lifestyle and stay active then a bacon cheeseburger every once in awhile is fine.

[funkadelic5]

Except you totally can eat bad food when you're older. It's just that old people very rarely maintain their health while young people are often active. The decrease in metabolism with age is very insignificant - you shouldn't be complaining about eating too much junk food unless you're over 100.

[sfauo]

I've personally never heard this statement being publicly mentioned to kids, but I fully disagree. Just because your body can handle the food while you're young doesn't mean you should expose your body to crap.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I was hoping this was a poll question because I don't want to elaborate. Things that are important to me are things I'd rather speak, not type.

[Prof_Don]

I usually do a lot of poll questions (check my profile) ... but this one I felt was best left open for discussion.

Type as much as you want...I promise I'll read and comment. :)

[ForestCrush]

I ate everything I wanted too when I was young, it got to a point where I weighed 354lbs when I was 18. Luckily I smartened up. I say only eat healthy no matter what age or you will regret it

[Anonymous]

If you make it a habit to be unhealthy by making excuses, you're gonna be a slob.

Kids are definitely vulnerable though.

[Anonymous]

That's probably the worst time because your growing and developing. It effects your physical AND mental health.

[kheserthorpe]

I've never heard this.