Calling all PARENTS.

Maybe now would be a good time to also show her how to cook? This way you two can spend time together cooking -healthy- snacks. Why have this horrible junkie cookie, when you can have this delicious frozen treat instead, that is much healthier? [Frozen banana = the bomb, for example, though not cooking]
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By the way, not a parent. But I am an Aunt to twins. And I as a kid loved junk food, and was NOT restricted from it [fed myself for most meals]... So I know a bit better how I would've avoided it.

my wife and I set pretty good examples as we both eat pretty healthfully and move a lot...we feed our kids pretty healthfully as well, but I don't get overly concerned with them snacking or having junk here and there...not all of the time of course, but they eat their fair share of "junky" type snacks...but I figure they're growing boys and they play like growing boys and they need fuel. Like I don't worry too much about giving them some Mott's fruit snacks...they're going to burn that sugar off in about 2 minutes after they eat it.

Recently I stopped buying all those different kinds of snack foods and cereal. For breakfast I make pancakes, french toast,oatmeal or eggs and toast. Instead of buying snack foods. I buy fruits, vegetables and yogurt and cottage cheese. I haven't had an issue since it stopped being in the house.

Don't have the stuff in the house, or if you do, put it in a place where they can't see, that way they don't know it's there. I have found this also helps keep the rest of the house eating better because it's not within sight, and you can't eat/drink the stuff around them or they know it's there. Best thing would be to just not have it in the house, but that's not realistic.

We limit the snack things that are in the house. However, at the ages you are talking about, please note that your children are reaching those growth spurt times where they eat you out of house and home. I found that if you offer them a snack instead of waiting for them to ask for one, then you have more control over what that snack is. Fixing a bowl with berries and calling them to come get it usually results in their eyes lighting up and then being on their way. Letting them make their own popcorn in a paper bag also works.

Honestly, the only real approach I take to it is to try and lead by example. I make sure he sees me saying no to second servings and larger helpings, as well as taking a serious approach to my health.

I don't push that on him though, lest he just push back the moment he can (when he's older, over at friends places etc). The idea is to give him a healthy perspective, and that takes time and he has to *want* to do it.

I've had problems with eating disorders on and off for years, as a single parent to a 10 year old girl I am always trying to keep myself in check around food and her to not make food an issue.

One thing I do find difficult is weighing my food, it is something I really try to avoid doing around my daughter, it just means meal planning/prep has to be done when she's busy.

Being a child we had a very strict upbringing, finish everything on your plate otherwise you'll be sat at a table with a cold meal in front of you for hours until it was finished and they'd be no dessert etc. This is NOT something I will ever enforce on my daughter, I actively encourage her to try things and have just that "little bit more" of sweetcorn/veg etc but I never force food on her. She still eats sweets etc but I just try to encourage other foods first.

For me I always encourage a good breakfast every morning, usually weetabix and fresh orange. I always think if she's had a good breakfast we've started the day off well. She is a grazer so even when she does have sweets, crisps etc she can make them last. I used to hate the fact she would be grazing all day but I've accepted the fact she prefers small and often. On an average day she has breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, snack, tea, snack, then supper. Nothing is banned but I do encourage healthy foods first. She's not over weight and she's very active so as long as it works for her I'm happy.