STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

cahabo · Kate Spade

Are Pancakes Healthy?

Cortney1982 · Chanel

Loaded with butter and syrup, I don't think so!

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

She's your daughter, so you should be able to tell her what you want her to know.

It maybe would've called for a different response delivery if your daughter had warned you as to why she was asking about pancakes first, but you could still tell her whatever you want--just buffer it because you don't want to throw grandmommy into the iron skillet.

Kelly · Hermes

First of all, your mom can't get mad that you told her daughter that. It sounds like you didn't know about the conversation the two of them had, but even if you did she can't be mad that you said they were unhealthy! If your mom wants to talk herself into thinking pancakes are "healthy" just so she doesn't have to feel guilty for her diet, that's her own prerogative. But she can't expect the rest of the world to share in her delusion - surely she knows better, deep down.

I guess I've never really thought about whether pancakes are healthy or not. I make mine from scratch and there really isn't a lot of sugar in them, but pancakes + syrup/butter is definitely not. And you would be doing everyone involved a disservice by letting your loved ones believe that such things are good to indulge in. I mean, obviously I eat pancakes (a lot, actually) and I don't think it's the end of the world, but I eat them knowing full well that it was not the healthiest meal choice I could have made.

-- Edited by ttara123 at 15:26, 2008-01-11

HeatherLynn · Gucci

Ya with syrup I'm going to say no. I just keep going back to the movie Elf with Will Ferrell:

Emily: You sure like sugar, huh?
Buddy: Does syrup have sugar in it?
Emily: Yes.
Buddy: Then YES! We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Pancakes are a treat, they are not healthy. I agree with your answer - make with wheatflour and topped with fruit they would be okay.

Suasoria · Chanel

I think your answer was 100% right on, and more important than being right or wrong, you're showing your DD that there are food CHOICES we can make.

You can choose pancakes with bleached white flour, eggs, dairy, topped with butter and high-fructose corn syrup...or you can choose whole grain flour that contains actual dietary fiber, plus soy or nut milk for protein, fresh fruit for vitamins and 'sweetness,' and so on. Do you ever make pancakes at home? Maybe you and DD could make some soon so she has a better grasp of your choices.

My DH and I don't have kids, and this is one of those times when I'm so glad we made that choice. I would be terrified to leave my child alone with my in-laws for this exact reason. I see how they are with my three-year-old nephews, and I would not allow it.

In your mom's defense, I find people of their generation are largely ignorant of the things we understand about diet and health. My MIL called me recently to say she just found out that cream cheese is fattening...oy!