Trying to keep track of the amount of treats your kids are eating can be difficult. After all, you can't watch them all of the time. However, what you can do is set a precedent in the home that they can learn and abide by.
We chatted to real parents about how they reduce the amount of treat foods in their families, and this is what they said:
"Children are not allowed to take snacks from the cupboard themselves. They have to ask for it, and I decide if they can have one.”
Sarah, Wexford
"I tell them you’re not getting it…end of discussion…and they don’t ask for it anymore…you have to be firm.”
Nessa, Sligo.
"They get snacks and unhealthy foods everywhere (friends, grandparents, neighbours)…the one place you as a parent can have total control is the house.”
Ben, Co Dublin.
"I give mine a choice of money for small sweets now, or they can save it for loom bands at the weekend…and I stick with the consequences so if one goes for sweets and one saves the money… only one is getting bands at the weekend…of course, now they almost always save it.”
Becky, Cork.
"Whenever you are challenged with a request saying ‘can I have’ whatever, have an alternative you can offer them.”
Ailish, Naas.
"Alternatives can be anything. They’re always looking for something or they always NEED something, as they put it… so use that. So whenever they say, ‘I need more loom bands or a new game, I say well if you’re good for x amount of time you can get it, or you can save your weekly treat money for that."
Sharon, Louth.
Some top tips to consider:
- Offer alternatives and make your children feel like they’re choosing what they have to make them more excited about their choice.
- Don’t buy treats in the first place so they are not in the house to tempt (you and them!).
- Defer or delay giving them the treat
- Set defined treat days, for example every Friday or at the weekend
- Keep biscuits and sweets out of sight, perhaps in a cupboard that is also out of reach of little hands!
- Only give them as treat as a reward for good behaviour. If they haven't been behaving, and they get a treat anyway, they will think it's still okay to behave badly.
- Give them smaller portions (half a bag of popcorn in a bowl rather than a whole portion out of the pack)
- Make sure you always follow through on your rule – consistency is key.
- Keep at it and don’t give in, your child's health depends on it.
For the next month, we are focusing on helping parents to #BreakBadHabits. Check out the safefood website for tips, tools, and ideas, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for info at your fingertips. We are right behind you.
