"What If I Only Eat Doritos?"

Last week I taught nutrition classes to eighth grade girls. Teens love to ask “what if” questions. It seems to be their way of testing authority without actually performing the act. They gauge how serious the consequences may be by our incredulous reactions. I’ve heard things from my own kids like, “What if I just decided not to go to school?” “What if I took the car and tried to drive?” (from a 14 year old), “What if I bought the case of Coke with my own money?” 

Well, during one of the nutrition-based classes, a lovely fourteen year old asked, “So what if I only ate Doritos, would I die?” 

 I looked directly at her and said, “Yes.” 

I explained that it wouldn’t take her body too long to figure out she wasn’t getting any nutrients. I told her that her body would work hard to keep her alive by stealing calcium from her bones and shutting down non-vital organs first. But without any real nutrients — like the scant few in chemical-laden Doritios — she would eventually become sick and die.

Eyes around the room grew big with that description. And maybe a light bulb or two flipped on. Children must understand that what they put in their bodies really does matter. Honest conversations about food are so important. Kids can’t just hear, “Eat this, it’s healthy.” They need to understand what that means. Telling those girls the real deal on Doritos was a start. 

“What if your teen eats five oreos, two scoops of ice cream and a handful of Captain Crunch after school?” “What if his favorite drink is a 20 oz. bottle of Mountain Dew?” “What if the last time she ate three servings of vegetables was…never?” If the consequences to some of the “what if’s” seem scary, then start having the conversations* with your kids today. 

*If the conversations aren’t working or you just don’t know what to say, I offer coaching for children and teens.  Call or email me:  Kathy@wellnessroadtrip.com  412-427-1137