Parents - how do you keep the heck away from your kids snack

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Replies

  • formygood2011
    formygood2011 Posts: 17 Member
    To drive home how many calories you are eating with "nibbles" take an empty jar or bowl and instead of eating put what you would eat into the jar...It will probably be surprising how little bites and tastes adds up. Especially if you did this for a day.
  • Jessica0982
    Jessica0982 Posts: 209 Member


    They are pretty good too lol, they also have low calorie fruit stips there and I get those for myself and my daughter. Not eating the kid snacks is hard, but thankfully my daughter loves the healthy stuff I buy too! We even switched the popcorn to Aldi's fit and active light butter, its only 100 calories for 5 cups, and aldis has really good prices.

    They just built an Aldi near me! I'll have to go check it out.
  • jenniet04
    jenniet04 Posts: 1,054 Member
    To drive home how many calories you are eating with "nibbles" take an empty jar or bowl and instead of eating put what you would eat into the jar...It will probably be surprising how little bites and tastes adds up. Especially if you did this for a day.

    What a great idea!!!
  • bademasi
    bademasi Posts: 180 Member
    I have two daughters. They are now 19 and 17 years old. When they were young they didnt get sugar cereals, soda pop, happy meals, cakes (unless a birthday) and candy.

    Both girls never had a cavity at the dentist. Both of them only had healthy doctor visits.,

    They loved vegetables. They called broccolli "trees" and ate raw string beans (thanks to my Dad) picked from Paps garden. Apples were always available cored and cut in container and sprinkled with cinnamon.

    I am happy to say that they grew up to fine young ladies. My youngest is athletic and eats fruits, vegetables and low carbs. She was on a competition cheerleading squad and is very health smart. Her teeth are beautiful and she is a healthy weight (low side) for her age. My first born daughter has the whitest teeth I have ever seen. She works and goes to college and works out twice a week. She doesnt eat as healthy as her sister and she is not as tiny as her sister but for her body frame she is normal and healthy.

    Both of my daughters have made many comments to me when they see children in public doing certain thiings... Like I never tasted coffee until I was a teen. I never had fast food when I was that age, I dont know how some let children eat those cereals loaded with sugar and my favorite... why did that mom give in after saying NO five times. I never gave in. That child could throw a fit and I would continue on. They learn.... no means no.

    My children didnt suffer anything as children. They simply learned to eat healthy foods and in moderation. I never ate what they had not finished (my sister does this) and I did get some cookies once in awhile but they didnt really want them. Awesome girls I have.

    I am now on MFP because of a brain tumor that caused me to gain 120lbs in one year. I am now able to work on gaining strength and getting healthy. I am so happy that MFP is available to me. I have kept food diarys on paper for years. :happy:

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  • jmoodylpca
    jmoodylpca Posts: 3
    Yes it is hard! I have a 1, 3, and 4 yr old and we allow them to have snacks every now and then. I agree with the ones who said moderation is key. Even, we as adults, are allowed to give in to a craving sometimes. But that doesn't mean eating the whole bag of cookies...it means eating one. After supper, my son wanted some chocolate covered pretzels. I grabbed one and that was it...yes it was hard, but I'm proud of myself for doing it.
  • nixickle
    nixickle Posts: 229 Member
    This is tough and finishing my daughters meals and a few of her other treats was my greatest weakness!! I have a separate cupboard for all treats so I'm not seeing it everyday (I love fresh fruit and veg, but yes I do also like cookies and chocolate!!) I fill the kitchen with healthy snacks such as carrot sticks, nuts, fruit, dried fruit etc so I try to snack on those. (my daughter thankfully also loves healthy food too so that helps that she would quite happily have cherries, dried pineapple, oranges or bananas...but she's a kid and also likes chocolate and sweets!!!) but the biggest thing I have changed is I now allow myself a snack whilst she's eating, so I don't have this urge to finish her meal! And some days I even eat my dinner with her (she's 20months and so eats super early! So I'm not always able to eat with her!) but I try to as much as possible so again I fill up but don't have an urge to take from her plate!! Actually at the moment I have the opposite problem! She steals from my plate!! But this is a very positive thing as she chooses quite a lot of healthy foods and she sees me snacking on raw veg, so wants some herself! Plus it reduces the risk of me over-eating so bonus all round!! I would say don't deprive yourself, but just remember to log and reduce it off your allowance. That helps me as I know 2 cookies (Maryland UK) comes to 120 calories and sometimes I know if I eat them it's going to leave me short for my main meal so sometimes I'll put off eating the cookies until I know they will fit into my day. Feel free to take a look at my diary (you will see treats are there on a daily basis but I try to add other healthy foods in too - had a bit of a tough time just after Christmas where there were LOADS of naughty things, but hopefully am back on track now!

    Best of luck to you and hope you manage to only have the treats in moderation :-)
  • vs1023
    vs1023 Posts: 417 Member
    It's very easy for any non parent or even parent to say these things when they haven't gone through having kids with eating issues.

    It's not so black and white. I too said my kids would eat super healthy and veggies, etc, but the reality is not the same.

    Not the same as the original poster as it seems her child eats a variety of foods, but kids with sensory issues or failure to thrive that some parents will give them anything just so they will eat something and its not a matter of spoiling a child. Some just can't just eat vegetable or fruits or meats. It's a daily struggle for parents with kids like this, me included.

    With that said, I really just make the mental switch to NOT eat my kids leftovers or snacks. My daughter doesn't eat veggies as much as I try, so I give her the best quality of the foods she does eat.

    Also, I'm that mom that has given into my kid asking over and over for something though not a frappuccino. :)

    I just say be careful before your judge.
    No. I don't want that in my house, or in their diets. So I don't buy sugar treats. If my kids eat the way I do, they won't have to discover MFP when they're 30 like me.

    This!! When I first started I had the same problem as you however than I realiazed if Im not gonna eat it why the heck would I feed my three year old it? I dont want him to struggle like I did and kids now a days are alot meaner so I dont ever want him to have that hurt and pain of being teased or having health problems. We just need to teach are kids the good habits of eating healthy and being active now dont get me wrong I still give him treats but for the most part he eats what mom eats.. You do the shopping lady be impowered to save your family from a unhealthy lifestyle!! Hugz

    First of all I don't have kids...so I don't personally don't know your struggles. But I completely agree with the ladies above. When and if I have children I plan to have them eat healthy. Just because they're kids doesn't mean they get fun "kid" diets. No matter how much your kid cries and yells for a happy meal, chips, cookies, or whatever...DON'T give it to them...just like you shouldn't give in to the inner child inside you yelling and screaming for the exact same things....

    I'm sure it's easier said and done, but I'm sure they'll thank you in the end for it.

    Just don't be a Nazi about it....a family cheat day should be allowed here and there...

    I hate when I see bratty kids get their way....like I was at Starbucks and some toddler in a STROLLER was crying out because he wanted Mommies frappuccino...and she just gave it to him...just to shut him up....

    ARE YOU KIDDING! A SUGAR FILLED, CAFFEINE FILLED, CALORIE FILLED DRINK LIKE THAT DOES NOT BELONG IN A TODDLER'S DIET....HE WAS STILL IN A STROLLER FOR GOODNESS SAKE...

    That's just building bad habits in so many ways...

    Either way...I think the best way to avoid u snacking on things is to slowly get them off of it as well...don't have them in the house and have planed cheat days for all of you.

    GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!
  • sharidiane
    sharidiane Posts: 212 Member
    It's not so black and white. I too said my kids would eat super healthy and veggies, etc, but the reality is not the same.

    Not the same as the original poster as it seems her child eats a variety of foods, but kids with sensory issues or failure to thrive that some parents will give them anything just so they will eat something and its not a matter of spoiling a child. Some just can't just eat vegetable or fruits or meats. It's a daily struggle for parents with kids like this, me included.

    YES!!! Thank you. Per my daughter's pediatrician, she is allowed to have as much full fat, sugary whatever that I can get into her, as she is very underweight for her height and age. Of course, we try to give things like string cheese and fruit, but sometimes it's cheetos cracker thingies which just look oh-so-delicious ... drool ...

    To the OP - It will get easier. Your results will begin to outweigh your cravings. One thing I do is try to snack when my kids snack. So if they are having something a little highly caloric, I will either had a tiny smidge of it and a big cup of tea, or I will have my own very yummy snack. I LOVE oikos yogurt. So an oikos at 3:00 feels very decadent and I'm not tempted by whatever crap I have to throw at my kids.
  • hsmithway
    hsmithway Posts: 191
    This is how I think, too. I'm okay with my kids and I having a treat now and again, and I use my own discipline to teach my kids (ages 4 and 7) moderation as well. We are all allowed 1 sugar thing a day, myself included. We really, fully enjoy it, and we can only eat it AFTER we eat healthy foods. I find that this teaches them to pay attention to what they put in their bodies and still make room for indulgences in ways that won't compromise their health.

    My approach is similiar to this nowdays, though we don't have treats on a daily basis, just occasionally. When my son was very small, I was very careful to feed him only healthy nutrient-dense foods, and then once he had good basic eating habits established we started working in treats on special occasions, or every once in a while.

    It's hilarious now. He's almost 8, and he knows that he only gets candy/cookies/chips/etc. if he's already eaten some fruits and veggies, so if he notices I've brought home something special, his eyes will get big, and he'll ask me for an apple or some baby carrots. And after he eats his fruit or veggie, then he'll come back and ask for his treat, lol
  • TurtleRunnerNC
    TurtleRunnerNC Posts: 751 Member
    I have found with myself that if I have constant access I will usually leave it alone. For example I have a bowl of peanut m&m's on my desk. I have not eaten one in 2 weeks, because they are sitting there and I can have them whenever I want. Now,they probably won't survive pms but... I think logging here now will help me eat less of them.

    For the most part my children eat healthy foods & pacjlk all food groups in their lunch. That being said my children are VERY thin, no matter how much I feed them. My daughter is a competitive gymnast. She practices 12 hours a week. She is 4'8'' and weighs about 70lbs & trust me it is all muscle. My son is 5'9'' and about 105lbs. My daughters pediatrician actually suggested she eat ice cream every day as it is high in fat & has calcium for her bones.
  • 12skipafew99100
    12skipafew99100 Posts: 1,669 Member
    I used to but I am so lazar pin point focused right now nothing bothers me.:grumble: Yea right!:noway:

    My kids don't get anything that is a deal breaker for me. My favorites have to stay out of the house right now. Thats all there is to it. BTW, fruit snakes don't bother mr. Its the doritos and swiss cake rolls I would not be able to handle. So I don't buy them.:bigsmile:
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    This is something that I struggle with as well.

    For the people who mentioned finishing their kids plates, I try to remember what I call "The Parable of the Waists". My mom told me that she once over heard a conversation between two aunts. One was heavy and the other thin. As they cleaned up the table after their children's lunch, the thin aunt was scraping the left overs into the trash and the heavy aunt was eating what was left on the plates. The heavy aunt looked at her sister throwing the food away and asked how she coulkd let so much food go to waste. The thin aunt replied that if she ate the food, it would go to her waist.
  • rfechter
    rfechter Posts: 109 Member
    I find this really tough. My son is away at college but when he was home for winter break my husband and I restocked the house with his favorite foods. I found it next to impossible to not increase my eating while he was home. Whenever possible I try to teach my son to eat healthy as my husband and I do.
  • txjulie
    txjulie Posts: 190 Member
    Sadly I like to eat more snack & junk foods than my son. He's preferred fresh fruits & veggies since he was first eating so he's on the right path. He doesn't drink juice or sodas either - mainly water with 1 lemonade a day. I would love to not want & crave the junk.

    I did find some protein bars that are my new "treats". I figure this way they are at least healthier for me and taste a bit like a treat.

    I wouldn't fret over your son having fruit snacks, chips, cookies & crackers as long as they fit into his overall healthy food balance. Kids burn more calories as they are growing and, let's be realistic people, they need to learn how to eat things in moderation. If you completely restrict it from them they will rebel at some point & discover it on their own as some sort of forbidden treat.

    I'd just be honest in your food diary if you do eat some of his snacks so you can use that to keep yourself in line with what your ultimate goal is.
  • hsmithway
    hsmithway Posts: 191
    This is something that I struggle with as well.

    For the people who mentioned finishing their kids plates, I try to remember what I call "The Parable of the Waists". My mom told me that she once over heard a conversation between two aunts. One was heavy and the other thin. As they cleaned up the table after their children's lunch, the thin aunt was scraping the left overs into the trash and the heavy aunt was eating what was left on the plates. The heavy aunt looked at her sister throwing the food away and asked how she coulkd let so much food go to waste. The thin aunt replied that if she ate the food, it would go to her waist.

    Another good point!

    I have trouble throwing food out, too. However, I have a compost pile and a dog who can eat almost anything, so I can avoid putting most scraps in the trash. Instead, things like half a piece of peanut butter toast become "dog treats", and things that aren't safe for the dog to eat can go in the compost and become "fertlizer." Which really helps me feel like I'm not being wasteful, and I don't feel nearly as compelled to eat leftover bits of food.

    Compost piles are great. I'm still *using* the food, even if I'm not eating it.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    No. I don't want that in my house, or in their diets. So I don't buy sugar treats. If my kids eat the way I do, they won't have to discover MFP when they're 30 like me.

    This!!
  • Lady_Chilli
    Lady_Chilli Posts: 161 Member
    Well overall I made sure when I started the diet that there was to be no junk food in the house. However I understand and its not a bad thing that kids like the occasional treat and if I'm honest its tough, takes a lot of willpower.
  • bfrice1
    bfrice1 Posts: 62
    I buy stuff I don't like. My son loves any kind of white cake, which I hate, and my mom loves popsicles (which I also don't really like). So when I do bring in sweets, it's some kind of white cake or popsicles.
  • SavCal71
    SavCal71 Posts: 350 Member
    1. I don't often buy them stuff that is unhealthy for me. They eat what I eat.
    2. When I do buy them snacks or treats that would not be a wise choice for me, I buy them things I don't like.

    There is no non-medical (celiac, diabetic, etc) reason for a parent to have a different diet than their kids.
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    Your kids will benefit from a healthy diet also.
  • JennetteMac
    JennetteMac Posts: 763 Member
    While I'm certainly not trying to encourage unhealthy snacking, keep in mind you can still have some of your faves if it falls within your calorie range (moderation is key)...

    :flowerforyou:


    Thank goodness, a voice of reason. Surely there's nothing wrong with a little fun in life. Just don't go mad. My 3 are all capable of making their own choices now, and do so sensibly. They all eat junk sometimes, as do I; just a bit of thought and good sense will prevail.
    I'm not trying to be contentious, just honest.
  • aircantu1
    aircantu1 Posts: 55 Member
    I don't keep it in the house. They get enough processed junk at grandparent's, school, friend's houses, etc... It's EVERYWHERE! I don't worry that they're not getting to experience childhood or whatever just because there's no junk in the house. I prepare the same thing for all of us.
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