Junk food

Everyone has their own personal definition of junk food. Most of us would agree that candy and soda pop are junk foods, but I believe that the list of junk food is huge! Many junk foods are masquerading as "healthy" foods. Examples of foods that are junk yet treated as healthy food choices include graham crackers, gold fish crackers, chicken nuggets (even baked) and bagels. The list is certainly longer, but these are actually items my son's daycare provider has given to him after touting that they serve healthy and balanced meals.

My son is almost 13 months and people act like its borderline child abuse NOT to give him sugar. I am mocked and teased for my stance on my son's diet. Is it crazy to want my child to have whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies and minimally processed, organic dairy and meat products? He is 1 and doesn't know any better so why wouldn't I want him to develop a taste for the healthy foods now? He does get the opportunity to try unhealthy foods, they are just not part of his regular diet.

Juice is another issue. In moderation it is healthy, but its not an all day drink. I recently read that children who drink more than 4oz of juice per day typically have a less healthy diet (I will try to find the article and post a link).

Why do I feel that I am constantly under attack for wanting my child to have healthy eating habits? Is it out of guilt about one's own poor eating habits that people must judge me and even go so far as to act like I'm crazy or a bad mother for not spoon feeding my child junk?