A Fresh Way to Talk About Food and Health
When kids gain weight too quickly, it can feel awkward bringing it up. But here’s a thought: instead of focusing on their weight or size, let’s talk about how food helps them feel awesome inside and out. One big concept to introduce is inflammation—it sound serious, but kids can totally get it when you break it down. Some foods can make their
bodies feel like there’s a tiny, invisible fire going on all the time, which isn’t good for their long-term health.
So, how do we make this relatable? Think of healthy foods like sunscreen. Just as sunscreen protects their skin on a sunny day, anti-inflammatory foods (like veggies, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins) help protect them from feeling run-down or getting sick more easily. Meanwhile, too many sugary drinks, fried treats, and processed snacks can leave their bodies working overtime and feeling blah. This isn’t about telling kids what they can’t have, but explaining why certain choices help them feel strong, energetic, and ready for anything. That’s where Worthy, created by JoAnn Stevelos, comes in. Worthy is all about guiding families to make healthier, inflammation-fighting choices—without turning it into a stressful “weight talk.” Instead, it’s a fun, positive way to show kids that what they eat matters, and that they’re worth feeling their best, every single day.
The more we learn how to take better care of our bodies and understand how our mind and body are connected, our bodies will better care for ourselves. Our bodies and our children’s bodies are worthy of good, healthy foods that help us grow and perform at our best. We deserve foods that nourish us and help us feel good about ourselves, making our thoughts feel welcome about what we ate, not guilt or shame.
If you want to learn more about using the power of kindness to raise body positive children, check out Worthy: Raising Body Positive Children—it shows families how
to use the power of kindness to create body-positive environments at home, school, and the doctor’s office. Healing our sense of worthiness and our children’s worthiness is emotional work that requires open, loving hearts to dissolve the shame and set productive boundaries. Worthy uses the best research and tools to help families build body-positive, loving homes filled with kindness and joy.
Worthy gives parents of children who have gained too much weight too fast hope, practical advice, and real-life solutions. JoAnn has over 20 years of experience
researching childhood obesity prevention programs. Her education includes a Master’s in Science (Bioethics) from Albany Medical College, a Master’s in Public Health from the State University of New York, and a BA in Liberal Arts from Columbia University.
