Tanja Beutler

by Tanja Beutler
(Somerset West, South Africa)

To all us concerned parents, I just want to say there is lots of hope. I have a now 6 year old daughter. Juliet's story is mentioned in Cari's book on page 164 (see comments for a copy of Juliet's story) I think. When they are young it is easier to develop this kind of situation compared to when they get older. I have to say example, patience and the correct info is worth lots. When I was young I was very thin. My mother would take me to the doctor every five minutes for anorexia at 6 years old!

I was told to finish my food etc. Later in life I got to realize that I have a high metabolism and prefer eating many small meals than 3 big ones. My daughter is also lean and many people have come to me and asked if she not too thin?

I know she is not as she has inherited both her mom and dad's body. What is wonderful is that she has a biological know how of what is good or bad for her. As parents we must not stop our children's eating habits because they do not conform with what society expects.

For example, Juliet has never eaten butter on a sandwich because she doesn't like it. She doesn't like cheese. She will eat her cereal dry without milk (here most parents would rebel) but what I found out last year is that she is completely dairy intolerant. I did a hair analysis test to find this out but she knew it already. She knows the effect it has on her body. Yes, she does do sweets but they have been part of snacks since she was a kid and have never been a reward system.

Last Saturday I decided to read a book on my bed- she put on the TV to watch a movie and needed a snack. She started of with crisps put those aside and then finished the whole container of litchis I bought. That makes me happy.
As a parent don't be too restrictive but give them the responsibility to look after their own bodies. They do understand what works for their bodies and what doesn't. We, thanks to society, sometimes force an eating habit that is not necessary - why can one not eat differently?
Listen to your child they actually often know better than we do!

Comments from Cari: Enjoy Juliet's story:
There are many ways of getting children to eat healthier foods. I watched Tanja, while her eight-month-old baby, Juliet, found a chocolate-covered marshmallow egg in the bread bin and indicated she wanted it. Tanja casually unwrapped it and handed it to her. At the same time, without making any fuss whatsoever, she quickly cut a few slices of cucumber and two small blocks of cheese and put them in a bowl along with a small handful of muesli. As she pushed it towards Juliet, she took a piece of cucumber and munched on it. Juliet, who had taken a tiny nibble of the egg, put it down, reached into the bowl and copied her mother. Tanja ignored the chocolate-covered egg, leaving it where Juliet had left it. Juliet never returned to the egg. She was quite happy dipping into the healthier options with which her mother had provided her. There had been no bribery, coercion or controlling behaviour involved. Just a mother creating a great greenhouse.