How can I get my kids back on track? Eating to much junk food

Stifler's - posted on 04/17/2011

Don't buy any. If you all reach a consensus that there needs to be chocolate eaten go out for dessert or something.

Nicole - posted on 04/16/2011

In our house, we have Sweet Sunday. My kids know that on Sundays we'll have a special dessert (something even as simple as cookies or ice-cream). Occasionally we have something during the week, like for a birthday or grandparents visiting, but that's rare. It really helps me, since it cuts way down on them begging for sweet stuff and it helps with my time in the kitchen (my kids are on a restricted diet so I have to pretty much make everything from scratch).

Also, to get more fruits/vegetables in, here are two things we do. One is, if after a snack (of their choosing from their snack drawer) a child is still hungry, they can have fruit/vegetable of their choice. My oldest (6) eats a ton so it's usually him digging out fruit leathers, apples, carrots, etc. to munch on. The second thing I do to combat that hour before dinner is to put out a snack tray of fruits/vegs. They tend to eat the most during that time, and while they still eat a lot at dinner, it cuts way back on the meat and other foods from dinner so 1) they're eating a lot more fruits/vegs than they would have without the platter and 2) cuts back how much I have to make, which can help with the budget, depending.

Good luck!

Kim - posted on 04/16/2011

One stop buying it. If you dont' have it in the house they can't have it. Or hide it. We buy from BJ's so we buy in bulk but I only bring up a little at a time, so this is for the week and if you eat it all that is it for the week! My kids have been buying it in school though!! They have an account and while I have told them not to be buying chips and such there is no way to control it as they will just use their own money!! It really ticks me off. They have made the school lunches 'healthy' which just means the kids have to pay extra for the junk!! Really fair!

But if I do put out a bowl of fruit(they won't touch veggies) they will pick at them, and there are healthier snacks out there. My daughter loves Pirate Booty. Good luck!! Its hard thing to change.

Brittany - posted on 04/16/2011

One thing that my husband and I do (my daughter's a bit young), is we go to Godiva once a month and get their free chocolates. It's high quality, and it takes away that sweets craving without sitting down and eating 10 bags of M&Ms.

I serve my daughter's dinner in courses. She get's her veggies first, followed by the meat and starch (if there is any). I also show her clearly how we eat our veggies first.

I also give fruit and veg as a snack. It helps mix it up a bit. Also that way if we are out and let's say have to run through a fast food place that only serves fries, I don't feel as guilty since she got her veg earlier as a snack.

Bonnie - posted on 04/16/2011

Don't keep it in the house. If it's not there no one can eat it. It may be difficult at first if they were use to eating certain things and now you tell them they can't, but that is the easiest thing to do.

Elfrieda - posted on 04/15/2011

Also get rid of all the junk food in the house. When you buy treats, get only enough for that one time, and eat it all. Then wait a week for the next time. I have to do this for my own sake, because I have no willpower!

Keli - posted on 04/15/2011

i agree self serve is the way to go! its a independant choice and they are not being forced.

Sherry - posted on 04/15/2011

Kids LOVE to serve themselves. What I do is make a platter of veggies either raw or semi steamed and place them in the middle of the table and they eat it all up just like that with nothing on them. It's great and they almost race (which isn't the best lol) to make sure they get their fair share. Today I just steamed a whole bunch of asparagus and put it down on their little play table for a snack and it was gone within 5 minutes. So if you don't already maybe try letting them serve themselves. Could be messy but they will love it! : ) Good luck!