It is that time of year. The time for candy, cookies, hot cocoa, egg nog and more sugar then we can measure. It is hard enough for adults to keep a handle on their eating during the holidays let alone the poor children! Helping kids make healthy eating choices during the holidays is really important. It will help the kids for years to come.
Helping Kids Make Healthy Eating Choices During the Holidays
Watch what I bring into the house. This is common sense, but really the best place to start. I get tempted when I am out doing my shopping. I want to buy those candy canes in every flavor. The cute Christmas candy looks so good. I have to remember that the more “junk” I bring into the house the more my children will be tempted to eat it all. I will always have a few special treats during the holidays, but I work hard not to go overboard with the sweets.
Talking to my children about portion size is important. I am a firm believer in moderation. Unless we are dealing with a food allergy or serious health condition I think treats are okay in moderation. If I never let my children have a piece of candy…that is all they would want. I like to remind my children what an actual portion of a sweet treat really is and show them too. This will help them realize that sitting down to a whole bag of red Oreo’s just isn’t right!
I like to remind Santa to not overfill the stockings with candy. 🙂 Okay…I have to remind myself, LOL. I try to limit the food items we put into the stockings so the kids don’t get sugar crazed on Christmas day! There are tons of other fun things that can go into a stocking. I just try to be creative with non-food items. I have also done non-sweet items such as beef jerky, cracker packs and even fruit!
Lastly I like to do a little game of give and take at holiday parties. My children are eye-balling the dessert table from the moment we arrive. I don’t want to be a total Grinch and say NO SWEETS. Instead I just remind my children that they can pick one dessert after they have eaten their meal. It is a compromise that works well for our family.
Helping kids make healthy eating choices during the holidays is something I try to do casually. I know that every skill I can teach my kids to help them eat healthy will only help them in the long run. Healthy eating habits are easier to start young then to try and reteach later.
Be sure to PIN this post so you can refer to it each year and have a reminder! What is your biggest problem in helping your kids make healthy eating choices during the holidays?
