How do you feel about junk food?

Christy - posted on 07/21/2012

You can't keep your kids away from it forever that is why it is so important to teach them good eating habits when they are very young. We have always loved to cook in our house. On the weekends I det aside a few hours and cook a ton of things, muffins, cookies or a cake (in the summer and fall I make pies), pancakes or waffles to stick in the freezer and some of that weeks dinners. That way the not only do I have have some things to free up some time on busy week nights but the kids always have homemade snacks in addition to the fruit and cut up veggies and dip that we always have in the fridge. When my kids were younger and we used treats as bribes for things like going potty a so many times in a row on the big kid potty or because they did something that we knew would be hard (like a long car ride) we would stick too chocolate since it is better on their teeth than other sweets. They would get those things of tiny m&m's or a few squares of dove dark chocolate. They even thought the ice cream man was just a guy who drove by and played music for every one until my youngest daughter was in kindergarden and was bought an Ice cream on a play date. Because they were given sugar sparingly when they were young but it was never withheld from them I think they can look at junk food with a healthy eye and it hasn't become an obsession. They still get cookies and cup cakes but they are made by me and have A LOT less suger in them then store bought (plus they think mine taste better) don't freak out when they see a piece of candy and know they will only get soda if we are going out to eat or having a party.

Olivia - posted on 07/11/2012

My son is almost 3, and I can honestly say he has never eaten any junk food what so ever in his life. He doesn't care, really. He can't miss something he's never had, anyway. And I also provide him with healthier alternatives. He does have chocolate quite often, but it's almost always with a very high % of cocoa powder. All his biscuits, crisps and ice-cream are all home-made and mostly vegan.

He has never drank soda (we call them fizzy drinks in the UK) or had a McDonalds either. All his meals are home-cooked (or at least not pre-packed).

As you can probably tell, I'm very against all junk food. I know that as my little boy gets older he WILL have junk food from his friends etc, but for now I want to keep his tiny, beautiful body totally natural! Haha.

Gianni - posted on 06/22/2012

I generally don't allow junk food, but that doesn't mean that I deprive my kids of treats either. I give them treats weekly, and the treats are pretty delicious -- cookies, sorbet, candy, yogurt with fresh fruits and granola, but all of the treats aren't processed (they're not oreos or butterfingers); they're all made in small batches, using natural or organic ingredients. They absolutely love it and so do I -- they get their sweets (which I myself love), and I get them to eat relatively healthily.

Joanne - posted on 04/29/2012

Junk food is an inevitable part of living that they have to learn how to use.

Martha - posted on 11/25/2011

I guess I try to limit junk foods at home, I let my girls have the occasional candies (I can't get my in-laws to stop giving them to them) but try to have boundaries like after dinner or only a few. The one thing I'm firm on is no pop, my daughter is 3 1/2 and has probably only had a total of 16 oz of it, if that. The only time I give her is if I have nothing else and I know she is thirsty. I've known a few parents who have indulged their children in this that have had to have their kids put under for dental work before they lost their baby teeth. Pop is one of the worst things for teeth, and a child who never has it doesn't even realize they're missing it. It's a big persons drink just like coffee would be. I also like the 80/20 idea people have mentioned :)

Mila - posted on 11/20/2011

No, it's not a capital sin. We don't live in a perfect world, and junk food will be out there. It's okay on occasion.

Occasions like when you're out running a lot of errands, and the difference between a hunger meltdown and a full belly is MacDonald's. You didn't pack any snacks, because with everything else you have to haul around, you would feel like a pack mule. Pull the drive thru and forgive yourself. Your kids and your sanity will thank you for it.

Susan - posted on 11/15/2011

I don't buy any real junk but I also don't freak out when my kids are handed it at parties, school or other people's houses. I have to respectfully disagree with Krystal that food from a place like McDonalds shouldn't be a privilege, as it's so bad on many, many levels. Instead I allow healthier versions of classic treats & "junk" and always have an open dialogue about why I won't take them to fast food places or buy "regular" Doritos, donuts, etc.

Colleen - posted on 10/28/2011

Friday night is junk food night here. It takes away the cravings that my daughter was having once I eliminated it from her diet completely. Moderation is key.

Angela - posted on 10/17/2011

Every thing in moderation. I had bad eating habits that stemmed from childhood. I was denied junk food so I started eating it in secret, sneaking in few extra cookies when I could because I never knew when I would get them again. It was a viscous cycle that caused health problems and took years to undo. Now that I have a child of my own I don't want him to experience that. Cookies, cake, candy, ice cream, chips etc etc are considered a treat in our house. Of my son would rather have ice cream then chicken for dinner so I just say that some foods are not as healthy as they should be and we can only have them a little bit at a time or on special occasions. I started calling fruit natures candy. Juicy and sweet and good for us at the same time!

Denikka - posted on 10/05/2011

I admit we have some bad habits. Like white stuff (pasta and bread) instead of whole grain. I can't eat whole grain stuff. I was raised on white and I can't get over the taste/texture of wholegrain foods. But I do make my son eat whole grain bread for the most part. And the white bread I buy is as healthy as white bread can get (natural/organic, baked in store, etc)
We do our best to eat healthy most of the time. 90% of our food is homemade. I buy no added sugar jams and juices, water down juice when we do drink it (kiddo gets 1-2 cups a day-25% juice/75% water) and we don't drink pop hardly at all.
I try to make a lot of things from scratch too.
We do order out or eat out on occassion, but mostly it's for special holidays (birthdays and such).
Our real downfall is chips/cookies/snack foods. We save it for after dinner, but it's way too easy to eat a whole bag of chips or a bucket of ice cream XD I try not to buy them often, only when they're on sale. We're getting better though :P

As much as it saddens me that they changed his diet, we've become big fans of Cookie Monster's new motto. *Cookies/chips/ice cream is a SOMETIMES food* XD

Kathleen - posted on 10/05/2011

My kids get dessert after dinner. They eat all their food that is healthy, then fruit and then dessert. We buy junk every now and then and we go to McD's. I know that my kids eat well 90% of the time, teaching them to eat junk is important too. So that they don't gorge on it when they get freedom. Both my kids have ordered Blizzards and put 2/3rds in the freezer to eat later and it can take a week to eat the thing. If it is forbidden it will be a problem and if it is constant it is a problem. It is a question of balance.

Bailey - posted on 09/15/2010

We don't eat junk food except for the occasional all natural ice cream or organic frozen custard. Sometimes I will make oatmeal raisin cookies from scratch, but that's it. My 3 year old twins call candy "garbage food".

Nancy - posted on 09/09/2010

My kids have always had some junk food in moderation. I made sure they ate healthy with fruits and veggies. Luckily, they weren't real picky and now as teens are more concerned with their health and figures. They drink lots of water, very little soda, and are try to make healthy choices. Obesity is on the rise and so is childhood diabeties and these habits carry over into adulthood. Start young with establishing good habits.

Jolene - posted on 09/08/2010

I have made it my goal to give my children at least 5 serving of fruit and vegetables a day. That means they needs at least one serving for every meal and most snacks. This way I can focus on the positive instead of saying no to the negetives.

Corinne - posted on 08/27/2010

An occasional burger or pizza is not going to hurt and I won't deny that sometimes Daddy brings home a Happy Meal or we'll buy a bag of chips to munch on. I tend to make my own burgers, fries and pizzas etc so I know exactly what's in it. My big no-no is soda. My M.I.L gave my 4yr old some as a "treat" a while back and I went nuts. She had a mad sugar rush, threw up and spent the rest of the day looking like death on a stick. Boo-hiss-boo.

Sally - posted on 08/26/2010

We strive for as healthy as we can but junk food finds its way in. In our case, my child has food aversions and a small appetitie so it is not as big of deal because she will not eat many foods. She will usually pick the good stuff. Except icecream. She loves icecream. If we are going somewhere that junk food will be overly available, I try and feed her before we go. Then I can let her graze without the worry.

Sarah - posted on 08/25/2010

Hi ladies! As a mom of 4 young boys and a Registered Dietitian I understand the realities of healthy eating when it comes to kids and families. I recently wrote a series of articles on Back to School Nutrition plus other great nutrtion articles that I write for the Examiner. Check it out and if you like my articles, click on the subscribe button which will only alert you when I post a new article. I love Circle of Moms! ~ Sarah Hortman, RD http://www.examiner.com/nutrition-in-oma...
Please let me know what nutrition questions you have and I will be glad to help!

Melissa - posted on 08/23/2010

I'm not overly strict on the kids eating junk food. They nearly always choose the healthy path because they know the difference. One thing I do stress is healtht versus unhealthy. For example, bread should be healthy and we always eat 100% whole wheat or double fiber or whatever. A doughnut, on the other hand, isn't healthy. There's no confusion over something that should be healthy but isn't, like sugared cereal or white bread. I hope that makes sense!

Krystal - posted on 08/20/2010

My son is eight months old and gets one Oreo every night after dinner. Lol I see nothing wrong with the occasional junk food meal. Not like McDonald's three times a week but like eating out twice a month or so. Don't let them think McDonald's and fast food places are something that are regulars let them think they are privilages for being good kids =]] that's what my parents did and I still remember sitting in the back seat with my older brother and sister trying to get them to stop fighting whispering about our favorite fast food restaurant even if I didn't know when I was getting it I just knew I would be getting it lol.

Carly - posted on 08/12/2010

We only have healthy foods and water or tea for all meals, and junk food for 1 snack a day, or on special outings (what's fun is a carnival without cotton candy or apple picking without a caramel apple??) I have no issues with a couple oreo's at bedtime when I know she had cheerios and banana for breakfast, hummus/pita and melon for lunch, and vegetarian tacos for dinner.

Lesli - posted on 08/12/2010

Even adults have to splurge sometimes, and generally most junk foods or treats are ok in moderation.

Kristen - posted on 08/10/2010

How to read the Nutrition Label is key to good health. Here is a 5/ 20 rule that will help you determine if what you are feeding your little is good or not. http://wp.me/pRa1N-6t

Racheal - posted on 08/10/2010

junk food is called exactly what it is..JUNK, my kids instead of snacking on a bag of chips they now snakc on fresh fruit and veg slices!!! happy and healthier :) we really are

Kimberly - posted on 08/04/2010

I don't think it is. I think a little in moderation never hurt anyone. I let my kids have a few cookies at a time, or a normal size piece of cake or 1 cup cake. Not everyday but a few times a week. They mostly eat fruit anyhow and they are perfectly healthy children.

Christine - posted on 07/22/2010

My daughter is 3.. in a utopian world.. yes.. I'd love for her to never have a soda, a candy bar, or chips.. but this is the real world.. and the truth is.. if you don't let them have junk food once in a while.. then when their grandmother gives it to them, or a friends mom gives it to them or what not.. they will binge on it.. and that's not good.

Teach your child is the answer. My daughter from the time she was 18 months.. I started her snacking on peas and bananas.. she kept all natural and healthy ... and then my mother in law let her have soda at age 2.

UGh.. reality check for me.. the truth is.. shielding my daughter from junk food was not the answer.. because it can come to her in so many ways..

the answer was educating her.. so from 2 until present.. this is something we talk about all the time.. but we talk about junk food.. and how it's okay to have "once in a while".. say half can of soda every couple days.. or something.. that seems to work because she gets the junk.. but knows that it's junk and only an occasional treat.

The big trick was teaching her how to discern healthy food from junk food.. and that is something we are constantly talking about.. we discern it like this.. did God make it, or a person?
If she thinks about an apple and asks me if it's healthy or not.. I ask her who made it.. she thinks about it. and says.. God made the apple.. so I tell her.. then it's healthy.

it's kinda a large spectrum.. when you use that as a tool for discernment.. but for her.. she understands.. a cookie.. is made from a person.. a soda was made from a person... water isn't made by a person.. an applie isn't.. a hunk of meat isn't.. a potatoe isn't..

Anyway it works for our family.

But point is.. no, it's not a sin to let your kid have junk food now and again.. but as a parent it is your responcibility to monitor their diet, as well as teach them about food.. and when it's okay to splurge with junk.

Setting an example too is a huge teaching tool when teaching your child about healthy eating.

Charanjit - posted on 07/21/2010

my daughter luvs eating junk food ,but i try 2 allow her in moderaton......try mostly 2 make at home..so dat even check d quantity n quality...

Olwen - posted on 07/20/2010

I think most people miss the most important point about junk food. The preservatives in the food and artificial sweeteners, salt, colours and all the other crap in it is the problem. The best thing to eat is what you make yourself so you can control what is put into your food.

Oh course my let my daughter have some junk food but even then it's usually home made biscuits, so easy to make. Pop corn. You can have junk food but it doesn't have to come at a price.

Maryann - posted on 07/20/2010

I think allowing the kids to have junk food once in awhile is the best way to teach them moderation. I like the 80/20 plan. Luckily my daughters love fruit and vegetables.

Mylene - posted on 07/20/2010

I let my son eat some junk food from time to time but it's only maybe twice a month. I prefer to serve him homemade food but we do indulge. We just keep it to a minimum and some junk is completely banned... My son can't do sugar or it turns into a total emotional meltdown. So the junk he gets his a burger and fries or pizza.

Crystal - posted on 07/19/2010

my daughter eats wat every she wants she is 3yrs old and only weighs 29 pounds she doesnt eat alot of it she still likes to have fruit and veggies

Nelfa - posted on 07/19/2010

I am a mother of a 4 year old daughter.... she loves junk foods but i let her eat sometimes just to give her a break....

Karla - posted on 07/19/2010

I am 100% with Lindsay. I use the 80/20 rule, we eat healthy 80% of meals and pizza, etc 20% of meals!!! Making a food off limits just makes it all the more tempting when kids are old enough to make their own decisions.

Lindsay - posted on 07/19/2010

I let my kids have junk food as a treat. They don't have it regularly, just on occasions. I believe that if you deny children something, then they will grow up craving what they haven't been allowed. Just ensure moderation!