Honoring Mom, who usually makes the nutrition decisions

Today is Mother's Day, celebrating mothers everywhere and honoring them for the too-many-to-mention things they do for us.

And while one of the stereotypical celebrations is to bring Mom breakfast in bed, in most households, Mom is the one who makes the nutrition decisions — figures out the meals, trying to keep her family happy and healthy.

Somehow happy and healthy are both required even if Dad or the kids don't like certain vegetables, or if there are picky eaters or allergies or sensitivities. And yes, moms can have those issues as well.

Moms generally have to navigate through coupon clipping, the hype of food marketing — especially since the kids in the commercials seem so much happier than her children in real life — reading up on the latest nutrition news, making the best of a limited food budget, and still making room for a treat or two, even if Mom feels she needs to lose a few pounds.

Guess what, sometimes Moms make bad nutrition decisions. I can't help but think back to the Edwards family in Huntington, WV featured on "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution." Stacey Edwards made some bad nutritional decisions.

But moms aren't the only one who can speak up. This is an example of a family going along figuring this was OK. Well, it wasn't. But when you saw her reaction — when Jamie presented a bunch of food the family would eat all on the kitchen table and what that was doing to her children — that was the reaction of a mom wanting to do better.

Even in "normal" families, mothers sometimes make "bad" decisions. But guess what? Decisions are what Moms (and Dads) make. Like coaches or managers in sports, sometimes they make the right call, and sometimes they don't.

So on Mother's Day, besides flowers, calls, cards, and yes, breakfast in bed, remember that she might be the one who makes the nutrition decisions. But speak up if you feel like you need more nutrition-related food. Help by cooking yourself or offering to be the sous chef for your mom. Work together to find vegetables you will eat and eat willingly.

Mom may be in charge of those nutrition decisions, but successful families work together as a unit. Be a healthier family — this might be the best Mother's Day present you can find.

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Comments

[M. Advice]

love your mother.