How do you beat the sweets?

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Permalink Reply by Pamela M. Kramer on October 1, 2009 at 10:38am

Stop buying the sweets. My kids are addicted to home made fruit smoothies.

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Permalink Reply by Lorie on October 1, 2009 at 2:26pm

I try to have some treats around that feel more like junk...trail mix with chocolate chips, natural granola bars with dark chocolate, apples with peanut butter and honey. If it isn't in the house they can't sneak it! ;D

And one thing I always do in the summer when they are home all day, but can work anytime, is have them pick out all of the snacks they want to eat that day. So for example, they get to pick 3 snacks if they are home all day. One has to be fruit/veggie, one is a chip/cracker/nut and the lastis a treat (baked good I have around, a few chocolate chips, a granola bar some small amount of something I have around that they want. We try not to have any actual candy candy in the house, so that keeps it from being an issue.

Then they can have those snacks (that are already proportioned out with their name on them) any time they want without asking, but they can't get anything else out of the pantry.

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Permalink Reply by Nina on October 1, 2009 at 7:53pm

I must say the sweets I'm referring to are not limited to candies, but includes snack items too, even the healthy ones; anything sweet tasting. Here I have a couple of great ideas already, thanks Pamela and Lorie for being firsts. How else can sweet tooth be managed?

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Permalink Reply by Victoria Vieira on October 4, 2009 at 1:35pm

I'd childproof the pantry :)

Mine still has a door handle thingie on it so the four-year-old can't help herself. And anything that's 'junk food' or the like is on a higher shelf and tucked behind stuff so they don't automatically see it and ask for it. I also just tell 'em: "you've already had your sweet stuff today; you can have an apple or a banana if you need a snack."

Victoria, fab single mommy to Bean (4 years) and Miss O (22 months)
http://vickv.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/vickwrites

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Permalink Reply by Dawn on October 4, 2009 at 5:17pm

Don't keep them in the house. If they are in my house I can't stay away, so I don't expect the kids to.

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Permalink Reply by Teri on October 5, 2009 at 12:54am

I agree with not having them if you don't want them to have them. Once my daughter was old enough to recognize what we were eating, we gave up candy, cookies, etc. (boy, do I miss gummy bears) I make a big deal out of giving fresh blueberries, raspberries, etc. as a sweet snack. I prefer the natural sugar and the berries have so much nutritional value to them as well.

I think it will be hard to make the transition, but that the rough part will only last a few days, and you have a chance to teach them lifelong healthy habits.

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Permalink Reply by Heidi Alexander on October 5, 2009 at 1:52am

Don't buy them or don't buy them often. One type of dessert at a time and only one package for the month and if they eat it up before the month is gone, then it's gone until the next month-this will help them to appreciate, ration, and not be dependent on sweets , but the PARENT has to stick to it! Also sometimes kids just want the taste of sweet so don't give them whole portions. Instead of candy bars buy a bag of chocolate chips and only pass out like 5 for the taste of chocolate... Its possible I have six kids from teen to toddler- this sweet buying strategy works!

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Permalink Reply by Cute Girl on October 5, 2009 at 4:40am

Address a certain amount of sweets

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Permalink Reply by Lorna Darden on October 5, 2009 at 11:01am

I hide all the sweets in my room. My kids love eating fruit and veggies, but they can eat sweets all day long. When they want something sweet try giving them some health cereal to snack on or dried fruit.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Wilcoxson on October 6, 2009 at 9:45am

The rule in my house, is never eat junk in your own house. That is your comfort zone, your place for safety. So I don't bring it in the house. Instead, if we want something sweet, we go out for ice cream, go to the corner store every Friday after school for the kids to pick out their "treat" for the week. Fun things like that. For snacks at home when that sweet tooth hits are: apple slices with natural peanut butter for dipping. sugar free pudding with a tablespoon of cool whip on top, yogurt with a little granola.
Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Krissy @ B.Inspired, Mama! on October 7, 2009 at 9:59am

My little ones go with me to the farmer's market each week to pick out their favorite fruits and veggies. Then I prep it all as soon as I get home so that it's easy to grab when they get hungry or throw on their plates at lunch or dinner. Fruit is a great alternative!

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Permalink Reply by Amanda Winters - A+ Plan on October 7, 2009 at 8:30pm

Visit www.aplusplan.com! I help people with this problem all of the time, so feel free to contact me for a complimentary phone consultation. I am a Health, Fashion and Lifestyle Consultant who is here to help you feel and look your best. Don't let the sweets OR the guilt get to you!
Amanda

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