Tactics to help give kids a break from sweet treats

DID your kids eat more treats during the pandemic? If you’ve done it, don’t worry – you are certainly not alone.

Almost half of Northern Irish parents (47 percent) admit their children are now eating more unhealthy goodies like chocolate, chips, cookies and candy than they did before the pandemic began, according to a study by Safefood.

And more than half (53 percent) say they struggle to keep the consumption of goodies for their children to a minimum, with one in five (22 percent) saying that eating goodies is the behavior they do want to improve the most.

The launch campaign by safefood, the Ministry of Health and the Health Department offers help to parents who want to reset the clock for goodies.

Here are my seven tips to encourage your family to take a break for treats.

1. Start by identifying the problem

It is important to recognize when and why the goodies are coming out of the closet. We are all guilty of using sweet or salty treats to motivate our little ones to behave or when we want some rest.

However, when we use treats to reward our children or encourage them to stay calm, we end up in a standard position where children always expect treats and associate unhealthy eating with good behavior.

Remember that the point is not about controlling everything your child eats or not allowing treats, but more about being aware of your child and leading them to healthy snacks while acknowledging that sometimes your child may, too can make their own decisions.

2. Make a plan

It’s a good idea to create a plan, get your family to agree to it, and then stick to it. The most important part of the plan is to be patient and trust the process.

There will always be little bumps, and as we all know, parenting is not always easy. If you’re having a bad day, just park it, keep driving, and remember the good ones.

3. Take small steps

Change can be difficult, so it’s important to take small steps. Don’t try to completely eliminate all the goodies as it is unrealistic – the point is to take a break from goodies so offer goodness less often.

This can mean having treats only on the weekend, aiming for a day with no treats, or not getting any treats after school. You are more likely to succeed if you go through it gradually with small changes.

Sweets can easily come as a reward for our children, but there are more creative options

4. Get creative with treats

Sometimes we want to give our kids treats and make them feel special. And it is important that we continue to do so. Try to give up the habit of constantly giving goodies and think about healthier options.

Non-food treats can include a trip to the park, playground, or the local soccer field for a kickabout. You could be playing an indoor game such as a treasure hunt or an obstacle course. Sometimes showing affection or engaging with them can go a long way.

5. Avoid the Treats Aisle

When shopping, avoid the delicacies aisle in the supermarket – it will reduce the temptation if you are not at home. Before you leave home, plan your meals for the coming week.

Make a shopping list and stick to it once in the store. Avoid the specials on goodies at the end of the courses.

6. Say no and don’t give in

Taking a break from goodies can be hard, and you can feel terribly guilty, so you need to ask yourself why you’re doing it – because it’s in your child’s best interests. But children can push themselves back, and that can be difficult, especially when you’re under pressure.

However, if you think this is a good idea for your child, then don’t give in. Any kind of positive change will be difficult, but you can do it.

7. Celebrate the success

When you are making your one daily profit, no matter how big or small, take a moment to appreciate what you have accomplished. Cutting down the number of goodies for your children is a real challenge, and you deserve to be proud of your accomplishment.

source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/tactics-to-help-give-kids-a-break-from-sweet-treats/