Death by Dorito! Get Rid of Junk Food Snacks Without Guilt

Our children eat too much.  Our children don’t play enough.  Yes, we know.  It’s a struggle for today’s overworked family to sit down to a healthy dinner or find time for a walk in the park.  Yes, we know there are those of you out there that cook everything from scratch, walk everywhere, and enrol their children in every activity you can find.  You likely volunteer quite often, or possibly you homeschool.  This article is not for you.  For the rest of us, juggling one or two jobs, two or more kids, barely making ends meet and feeling guilty every time our child outgrows yet another size — read on.

First of all, cut yourself some slack.  It’s a tough world out there.  The things you must do to make ends meet don’t make you a bad parent.  Don’t let guilt guide your actions.  Food is not a reward for good behaviour and with-holding it is not a punishment for bad behaviour.  More than that, treats, cookies, chips and candy are not proof of parental love.  Childhood obesity is putting our children’s health at risk.  Twelve year olds are having heart attacks.  Our childrens’ addiction to snacks and goodies is turning into suicide by doritos.  It must stop.

Okay, now that you’re committed and convinced, make it a family affair.  Don’t bring junk food into the house.  None.  Period.  Out of sight out of mind is the rule, and besides, it’s good to lead by example.  

Step two, pack a lunch.  Letting kids buy their own lunch at school or on outings is just inviting temptation, which most children will cave to.  So pack a good and healthy lunch for them.  At least you’ll know what they are eating.  

Step three, icy water.  Get rid of the juice and the pop.  Forget trying to convince yourself that juice is actually good for them.  While it may have some nutritional value, it’s also full of sugar and unnecessary calories that an overweight child can do without.  Water is the wonder drink.  Not only does it prevent dehydration, it keeps the belly fuller, helps with digestion and it has no calories.  Tap water with a couple ice cubes is just fine on a hot summer day.  
The fourth and final step, find a way to get some activity happening with your child.  If it’s too hot and muggy to be out in the day, go for an evening stroll around the block.  Walk the dog, walk the cat, toss the family goldfish in a cup and walk them if that’s what it takes.  The point is, you don’t have to start out big.  A little exercise every day will eventually lead to a little more.  If you hear a song on the radio your child likes, get up and dance with them.  

You don’t have to call it exercise.  By all means, call it family time.  Essentially that’s what it is.  Doing something fun like taking a walk with the family or playing on the swings gives you time out of your day to just enjoy yourselves.  Your kids don’t need to know they’re getting healthy.  We’ll just keep that our little secret.  

Years from now, when your child looks back, they won’t remember you put them on a diet.  They will remember you spent time with them.  They will remember you always carried buckets of water for them everywhere you went.  They will remember ritual walks around the block after dinner.  They will not remember that you suddenly stopped buying doritos.