Kids Snacks

I wouldn't worry about their habits at other people's homes. You are putting up the totally AWESOME building blocks for them. They will continue on with their healthy eating. I just wouldn't make it a big deal. They know that it is "special". They know that good food (to borrow a phrase) does a body good. You are doing a good job, mamma!

you're probably going to either have to pack snacks for them to take or just let it go when they're at someone else's house. All the kids I knew growing up who's mothers were very strict with their food ended up binging on junk food at friends' houses.

I agree that you can't control what your children eat at other people's house. I suggest that when their overall diet is healthy they won't be harmed by eating the "bad" stuff elsewhere.

I put "bad" stuff in quotes, not because I don't agree with your choices, but because there is no research that shows that eating these foods some of the time will have a negative effect on children's health. Actually, there is no research that shows that they are a negative influence on diets unless they are a major part of their diet. Remember research is done with animals and they are fed a whole lot more of these substances per their body weight than we'd ever feed our children.

My granddaughter is allergic to peanuts. Because eating peanuts can have an immediate life threatening affect she has been taught to never eat anything containing peanuts. She's very conscientious about asking about the ingredients of what she is giving.

My granddaughter's curriculum at school includes learning about healthy diets. She's 10 now and asks me or makes comments about other questionable ingredients such as the two you mentioned. I suggest that the best way to reduce the amount of these ingredients that your children eat is to teach them in several different ways why you don't want them to eat them. Co-opt them into the decision to not eat them.

I also suggest that you allow a small amount of chips, cookies, sodas while choosing the healthiest of those. Talk with your children about why you chose this product over that product. When you deprive children of many foods they do tend to binge when they are able to have them. What is key is education and reasonable educated exposure.

For example: My grandchildren are told that they can have soda when they are with someone who serves soda. They have been taught that some sodas are healthier than others. I don't know if there allowed choices are better but I go along with them because their mother has told me what she has told her children. My point is that she is giving them an alternative rather than saying no to all sodas.

I appreciate your choice about healthy foods. I'm saying that when you give your children a healthy diet at home, teach them why you've made those choices until they are able to make those choices for themselves they will be OK. No need to be rigid when they're playing elsewhere and no need to allow that to make you crazy.

I'm pretty relaxed about food. We eat very healthily at home, so it honestly doesn't matter to me what random treats kiddo has elsewhere. Since we don't have allergies, I just let it go as part of the fun/adventure of summertime.

I do agree with AG and Sara. You are teaching your children to eat healthy but there will always be items out there you prefer they don't eat. Teach them to choose healthy alternatives and how to eat junk food. I have been to parties where the kids eat healthy at home but go all out at the party because that is where the sweets are. My kids will choose some sweets and chips but also go for the veggies. They know how to balance.

I'm with Sara on that one!

If you are concerned about when they are at friends houses make sure they eat or have a snack before they go and teach them to say no thank you when offered. If they want to have something to eat they should call you to ask (I always did just to be respectful and non-intrusive) If it was close to lunch time or dinner time my mom would ask that I say no thank you because I would have to go home to eat etc. There should be a balance since your girls are so busy at other peoples houses/parties. Dont worry about it so much as school is almost back and you'll be in full throttle again!

I like the idea of having them eat something before they go so they aren't crazy hungry when they get somewhere. But I do think a little more junk at friends homes or in the summer isn't too bad;) You are obviously doing really great with them on a regular basis. My mom was super healthy when I was growing up. When I developed a weight problem as a kid she got me off sugar as much as she could and was even more diligent about what I ate. I have had my times of being chubby, like now!!;) But overall I have had a healthy weight during my lifetime and if it gets out of hand, I take care of it. So, you are doing well to teach healthy eating, but I don't think the occasional freedom of being somewhere else will cause a problem.

Stick with what you know. If your children are at a friends house that you know the parents just talk to the parents. They may or may not respect what you do in your house but knowledge is the power. Believe it or not but more then likely your children already know what to do and how you do it.

You've gotten excellent advice here, but here is another idea. Make it known to the other mom's that you have restricted your children from having the most important item here. I'm guessing it's soda since they've never had it. That was my thing, too. The other things aren't going to add up to much and since you occasionally buy chips or cookies it won't be such a shock to their system. soda has added sugars and caffeine, so you don't want them being affected by it. The other moms will usually be fine with that. My neighbors knew my girls couldn't have soda, so when they offered drinks to the group they'd ask if they'd like some juice or water for them. Make sure your children know that this is the case, too.

As others have said, you've made the nice groundwork and they will make healthy choices based on that, too. A little snack during the day at a friends or at a party isn't going to ruin their make-up.

I think its ok to splurge once and a while and let them have a cookie or a popsicle or something. We all try to keep our kids from eating junk all the time, but its ok for them to have a special treat once in a while. You cant control what kind of food other people keep in their house, but maybe if you are worried you could send a snack that you approve over to the house for all of the kids to enjoy with your children. That way you know they have the option to eat healthy as well. Good luck and try not to worry too much.

Simple solution (I hope)--
When you kids are invited over to a friend's house, have your kids bring the snacks as a sort of thank you for being invited and that way you know what they'll be eating. That's how we do it in my area. One time I called the other mom up and explained that "Sarah" had eaten enough already today at the neighbor's house, so she doesn't need to have anymore snacks, instead she's bringing water (or a new game, bubbles, chalk, etc). Now when my kids are at someone's house and they are asked to stay for dinner my kids know what is a healthy choice and if the dinner is Hot Pockets or Frozen Pizza, for example, they know to just say, "No thank you. I'm not hungry." or "Thanks anyway, but my mom is making one of my favorite meals tonight." They say it to be polite and let the mom know that she appreciates being asked. By the way, it's amazing how many kids stay for dinner at my house and comment "This dinner is fancy" or "I don't like fish (or steak, pork chops, eggplant, or my favorite....I don't like grilled cheese with white cheese. Can you go get my yellow cheese? LOL"

I would hope most people have healthy food along with a little junk food.
I cannot think of one mom that ever served cookies and soda.

Usually they are like our homes with a variety of healthy snacks and just a few junky type things.

If soda is served, most people serve ginger ale or 7Up. Lots of water is what most of the kids like anyway.

Just teach your children and trust they will make good choices. It has been my experience kids will eat the good stuff when it is offered.

I think that you are doing a great job as to watch your kids diet. That can be difficult in today's "on the go" lifestyle. You are teaching them a life long habit of health dieting which will be great in the long run. It may seem like they are getting loaded with unhealthy things outside of the home but seeing as though that type of diet is so limited in the home it may not be harmful to them. However, it seems to be concerning you so I would have a conversation with the kids about diet etc and reiterate your reasons and how they also apply outside the home. Perhaps have them take accountability for one another on the amount of unhealthy snacks they have outside the home, although this may be a bit of a stretch for kids to do. Other than that you can't tell friends or other people what to have in their home but you can definitely tell them what you don't want your kids to have and politely ask that they follow your rules for your kids. Again, I think you're doing a great job!

You are giving them a great foundation but control what is in you realm to control and let the rest go. You will lose your mind if you try more than that.

Its a tough question. We do occasional eat junk but mostly eat carrorts, cucumbers, red peppers for snacks.
Maybe bring a snack when you visit just for your kids. Or something to share. Many people simple don't understand the tools for proper nutrition and teaching it while the kids are still young.
Check out my sisters web page..she is a nutritionist and this page is geared for healthy snacking. superkidsnutrition.com

can you teach them an dtell them at friends or where every they go they have to choose one healthy snack and they can have one kids bad for you snack. Do they know what healthy chocies/ snacks are so they can choose a right one? I would give a little to get a little and it also helps them feel in control with their choices. hope that works for you all?

I would suggest that you can pack a snack for them to take with to the playdate. Do you shop at trader joes or whole foods?

I don't know about homes, but have worked in middle schools where the eleven year old will be at age wise. The children might trade treats, etc. but what I have seen that people who like to eat healthy do so wherever they are. You brought them up well, you will see that they have your values.