I feel guilty (re: clean eating).

Amy_B
Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
edited September 19 in Food and Nutrition
I am trying to be better about clean eating (eating few processed foods), but I still find myself buying crap snacks for my kids because they're cheap, and I know they'll eat the snacks. They're also easy to grab. So, what easy, good, kid-friendly snacks can I give my kids without all the preservatives and additives? My oldest is pretty picky, and he says all the time how much he likes sugar (grrr!).

Also, how do you get the rest of your family "on board" with eating this way? My husband seems to think it's a phase I'm going through. I don't want to force him to never eat some of the foods he really enjoys, but that doesn't mean I have to eat them. I also want our kids to be as healthy as possible, but I wouldn't mind them getting treats every now and then of things they really like. I know they're getting way too much of that bad stuff though.

Replies

  • lulabellewoowoo
    lulabellewoowoo Posts: 3,125 Member
    What type of food do your kids like? Our family has discovered freezing grapes and blueberries. The kids love them. I also keep cooked corn on the cob handy as they love to snack on that too. Putting ranch dressing in a little cup with a plate of raw vegs too. String cheese sticks too. Of course, you have to pick what your kids like.

    It took awhile for my husband, but I have been getting healthier now for about a year and he has started to catch on and now prepares our meals with my healthy diet in mind (he's our cook). Makes the meals nutritious for the kids too.

    Don't give up. They'll catch on eventually :wink:
  • jenniferscheller
    jenniferscheller Posts: 48 Member
    You lost 66 lbs. and your husband thinks it is just a phase? PLEASE ! You are a great mom and wife to want to include your family in getting healthy. Face it, the kids will eat what you make as long as there is no junk food around to substitute. Put a little of everything that you have on their plate and let them go at it don't make it a big deal or they will rebel. As for your husband make your healthy foods for the meals, if he does not want to eat it, so what he can make himself a sandwich.:laugh: YOU GO GIRL:smile:
  • foxyforce
    foxyforce Posts: 3,078 Member
    ok, i eat crappy, i won't lie

    but growing up, my dad was really really good at keeping junk out of the house, we ate what he gave us, or we just wouldnt get a snack, that's life! and we didn't know any different, and didnt hate him for it.

    of course i remember my brother and i using 'all our friends get...'
    but really, we were much healthier for it. he didn't even keep pop in the house, and as a result, i honestly never crave soda. i have it once in a while if i feel like something sweet, but that is it.

    just don't buy junk. and they won't eat it.

    suggestions? i have none, cause i am not a clean eater. but fruit is always good, if they don't like fruit, veggies and dip. cheese. trail mix. nuts. applesauce.
  • denisebee
    denisebee Posts: 137 Member
    One snack that seems to be a crowd favorite is popcorn. I pop it in some olive oil with a little sea salt. Healthy, lots of fiber and the kids think they are getting a treat. Another thing that is a big hit are smoothies- I freeze my peeled bannanas and put them in zip locs along with frozen berries, mix with mil and add pinneapple juice for sweetness. YUUMMMMMYYY. Before dinner when my kids have the munchies I put out veggies with a little ranch, they eat it up and then I don't have to stress if they don't eat any at dinner.

    I do allow my kids to have goodies but I try and teach moderation. One cookie is ok, no food is"BAD" it's just a treat. Not to be eaten to fuel their bodies, but because it tastes good.
  • tvfit
    tvfit Posts: 56 Member
    there are so many good snacks available these days! multigrain goldfish! kashi-type granola bars. multigrain pretzels (I could live on Snyder's Organic Oatbran pretzel sticks - 18 for only 120 calories!).

    I also love the popcorn idea -though we serve it straight from the hot air popper. get them involved in making it and they'll enjoy eating it more!

    While my kids wait for dinner to be served, I put baby carrots and hummus on the table. Impatience makes them go for them!! For "dessert", I offer a cutting board of sliced fruit (it seems more attractive in pieces for some reason!). Sometimes I make fruit kebabs and they love them!

    We always have organic string cheese in the fridge and that is the help-yourself snack.

    I'm with the previous poster that says cook healthy for the whole family. My husband NEEDS me to make him eat healthy. I keep telling him I want him around with me when we're old and so he needs to eat healthy. Certainly yours should understand the example he's setting for his children, too.

    Good luck!!
  • havingitall
    havingitall Posts: 3,728 Member
    Amy,

    I used to buy cookies and chips and say they were for the kids. Guess who ate them?? Since we have been eating a lot cleaner, there is no crap in the house and my kids haven't really complained.
  • lesliemk
    lesliemk Posts: 382 Member
    I feel like I'm not just doing this for my health and fitness (and to lose weight), but to improve the health of my family. We are all trying to eat more "clean" too, so the processed foods coming into our house are few & far between these days. A few examples of our favorite treats/snacks...

    homemade Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies w/ natural ingredients

    popcorn kernals popped at home in a pot w/ a little organic butter & sea salt

    homemade whole wheat honey flax blueberry muffins (great for a weekend breakfast treat)

    apples (or celery) w/ natural peanut butter

    homemade hummus w/ veggies to dip for a few wholegrain crackers

    The only true snacks that I keep on hand are the small bags of Annie's Organic Cheddar Bunny & Graham Bunny snacks. I find they are easy to grab if I need a snack on hand for my daughter while we are out during the day.
  • Amy_B
    Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
    Thank you all so much! I already do some of these snacks and plan on doing more. I guess I just need to get rid of the crap and not allow it back in. Now, I'm not saying they won't ever have those things again, but they can have them at grandparents' houses or as an occasional treat. I'm just going to feed DH the healthy stuff and let that be it.

    I feel better now. Thanks again!
  • thumper44
    thumper44 Posts: 1,464 Member

    While my kids wait for dinner to be served, I put baby carrots and hummus on the table. Impatience makes them go for them!!

    I think this is an awesome idea.
  • fjtcjt
    fjtcjt Posts: 199
    My kids like trail mix. Of course the one we get has m&m's but there are plenty out there that don't have candy. Nuts and fruits are good for kids.

    Fresh fruits are also good, peaches, mangos, strawberries....
  • kookla33
    kookla33 Posts: 234
    There are a few books out there on clean eating by Tosca Reno. She has written one for families and kids. It answers a lot of your questions. I bought all of them and they have been helpful to me. You might look into trying those.
  • Amy_B
    Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
    There are a few books out there on clean eating by Tosca Reno. She has written one for families and kids. It answers a lot of your questions. I bought all of them and they have been helpful to me. You might look into trying those.
    Thanks! I'll see if my library has some. I'm reading Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels now.
  • kookla33
    kookla33 Posts: 234
    That's a good book too. Jillian Michaels is great!
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