When will we start taking responsibility?

I'm not sure why I spend so much time worrying about what other people do, and especially eat. It's probably a giant waste of my time, but I can't help it. I think the most frustrating thing is that it seems a lot of people have no clue about the affects their food (and where it comes from) has on them. I've tried to help some of the people in my life with the information that I've learned. Some of them thankfully have started on their own paths to bettering their diets for themselves and their families. But others I've tried to talk to about it have completely ignored me. I guess what I don't get either is that when I try to get them to make such a minor change as just the bread they eat, why people can't commit to it. Studies have shown that eating white breads, soda and candy, which are full of sugar, refined grains, and other bad stuff, are part of the problem behind obesity in children, among other things. So wouldn't it be an easy decision to stop buying that stuff and feeding it not only to yourself, but your kid, most importantly??? You'd think so. But some of the people who would benefit more from this information than anyone listen to it, acknowledge it, and then completely ignore it. I don't understand it? Why would you want your child to grow up with weight problems? Why would you want them to get sick all the time because they are replacing those nutrients they need in order to grow up strong and healthy with those that will defile and ruin their immune system? If you love yourself, and your kids, this seems to me an easy decision.

I find it an oddity as well that some people out there won't touch white bread/soda/sugar or other bad foods themselves, but they find it perfectly normal to feed their children. I think we have to learn and accept that what isn't good for us, is absolutely not good for them. I know a lot of you know this already, probably, but I'm reaching out to those of you that know it, and aren't actually doing anything about it. And especially to those of you that may not.

I know it seems I'm being judgmental, and maybe I am. I'm not the best example of avoiding sugar all the time - I have a serious sweet tooth (my sister can attest and sympathize with this). I struggle with it daily, and try as hard as I can to eat the right foods and avoid eating bad stuff, and every now and then, I give in. There is one difference however. I make a point not to buy this stuff every day, or have it in my house in order for me to eat it. And this is how it will be even when I have kids. I've learned to treat sugar like a once in a while treat. Something to get out of the house. Not something to have every day.

I think sometimes parents feel like by not giving into their kids, they are being mean, or unfair. But think about the difference if instead you looked at it like teaching them about nutrition and health and how to take the best care of themselves. How to ensure that they grow up to be the strongest and healthiest they can be with your help. Isn't that our role as parents? Don't we owe that to them? To me, this is the most important thing we can give them, along with a good education. I encourage all of you out there, especially parents, to start reading about nutrition, especially if you never have before. A good place to start is sugars and highly refined grains, and their affects on your kids' little bodies. You can't give them the tools to grow up to be the best and healthiest adults they can be until you start taking responsibility for your own body and health.