Parent's Corner: Fuel for the Tiny Firecrackers: Why Your Kids Need More Than Just Nuggets and Air

Connect & Grow Magazine: Issue 23 August 2025

Let’s get one thing straight: you are what you eat. And if your kid just inhaled a packet of blue lollies for breakfast, then guess what? You’re raising a Smurf on a sugar high.

As parents, we are exhausted, outnumbered, and generally just trying to survive till bedtime without crying into a box of Shapes (pizza flavoured of course). But here’s the deal, we’re the example. And as much as I wish I could fuel my kids with hope, cuddles, and a banana they found in the car seat from last Tuesday, it turns out that what they eat really matters.

I learned this (as I do most things) the hard way.

Let me take you back to the Great Myer Incident of 2019. Picture this: it’s Christmas, the department store is packed, and my youngest, Kob-Star, is MIA. Panic ensues. I’m yelling his name, running past screaming toddlers, when I hear over the loudspeaker, “Would the parent of the cheeky boy pulling the pants down off all the mannequins please come to the jocks department.” Yep. That was mine. Sugar-fuelled chaos goblin. Turns out his lunch that day consisted of a fruit strap, half a gingerbread man, and some popcorn dust.

Lesson learned, food is fuel.

Here’s the wild thing: there’s actual science behind this. I dug into it, and did you know:

Kids’ brains use up to 50% of their total energy intake—and if they’re not getting enough good stuff? Hello mood swings, meltdowns, and the emotional stability of a wet tissue.

Just one can of soft drink a day can increase the risk of depression and anxiety in children. (Not to mention the gremlin-mode that kicks in about 14 minutes after consumption.)

Magnesium, found in leafy greens, nuts, and seeds, can calm their nervous system and help you not completely lose your mind over who touched whose LEGO.

The truth is, poor nutrition doesn’t just affect their growth, it affects their mood, behaviour, and ability to focus. (Which explains why my kids act like Tasmanian devils when we skip the veggies and opt for “just toast” nights.)

I’m not saying never feed them a cupcake again. Heck, I’m not saying you should turn into Gwyneth Paltrow overnight. But if we want our kids to thrive, we’ve got to start fuelling them (and ourselves!) with real, nourishing food.

You can’t expect a rocket to launch on cordial and crackers.

So, let’s do our best. Veggies with a side of humour. Water before juice. And maybe… just maybe… fewer pantless mannequins in the future.

You’ve got this!

YouMatterMama

Written by

Julie Mundy

You can connect with Julie here:

www.youmattermama.com.au

#YouMatterMama

(C) Break Free Consultancy 2025

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change