Feed your child like a giraffe!

Do we feed our children better than zoo animals? This was something I was pondering as I was stuck on the Centennial Cho Cho in the OKC zoo. An animal had escaped so our ride was stopped for a few minutes. I could see the giraffe feeding area with a long line of those willing to pay a few dollars to feed giraffes romaine lettuce leaves. While the giraffes were eating lettuce I couldn’t help but wonder what food was in the strollers of those waiting in line. Were those children getting romaine lettuce leaves? My child with me that day wasn’t eating lettuce either but how far from lettuce was their lunch or snack? There are many signs throughout the zoo reminding us “don’t feed the animals.” Why? We all know why. Eating a diet of inappropriate food would make them sick. If the zoo keepers were feeding the animals Hot Cheetos and Kool-aid they would be charged with a crime and receive public criticism due to the gross mistreatment of these magnificent creatures that are in our care. I challenge you to think about how much of your child’s diet is similar to the diet of the beautiful creatures at the zoo and how much would be considered inappropriate? Your child is more precious than the zoo animals; let’s feed them that way! mk