Biggest Red Flag For Teens

My daughter invited some friends over for lunch and we decided to order from a local make-your-own bowl place. You know the kind, you pick your base, your add ins and your extras. It’s a fan favorite with our family. Who doesn’t love Sweetgreen?

I had the moms text me their daughter’s orders and I was shocked at the number of substitutions, no dressings and very few ingredients the girls picked. Not one of these girls came close to finishing their meal either. 

Another text thread I was on for an outdoor barbecue asked about any allergies and a mom replied, “my daughter is gluten free, but you don’t need to worry about her because she barely eats anything”. 

Moms, is this happening with your girls? And, yes, we do need to worry. Are you paying attention to what your kids are eating, or not eating for that matter? 

Did you know that every teen girl with an eating disorder has eliminated one or more food groups from her diet? Not everyone who eliminates a food group will go on to develop an eating disorder, but those who do develop disordered eating have sworn off meat, dairy, carbs or gluten. 

Food group elimination can easily slip by because it can be played off as someone promoting animal or environmental rights or someone just doing the “healthy thing”. 

Please don’t dismiss your child’s eating patterns. Pay close attention to what they’re eating (or not eating) and use this an entry way to understand that your child might be struggling. 

Hit reply if you ever have any questions. I’m here to help you navigate these tricky teen years and my book is chock full of tips on how to talk with your kids about food and body. I can’t wait for you to have it this fall. 

On Juneteenth, please read Sabrina Strings, Fearing the Black Body and It Was Always Been Ours, by Jessica Wilson to understand how racism continues to play a role in the treatment of people of color in larger bodies.