Too Much Of A Good Thing - Teaching Kids Moderation

People love candy, no matter how bad it is for them. As adults, we know the importance of eating well and enjoying treats in moderation.

Kids prefer candy and fast foods to more conventional healthy food served at home.

Even as you let your kids enjoy their childhood, you also have the responsibility to teach them moderation by letting them enjoy these snacks once in a while. Here are some techniques to help your kids eat moderately:

1. Lead By Example

You are the perfect example for your children. How you behave around your children is what they internalize and how they eventually act.

That principle applies to all areas of their lives, including eating habits. Teach them that it is alright to leave some food in the bowl and save it for later.

We often finish off everything on our plates even when we feel full, making us uncomfortable later.

If your child says they feel full, do not force them to finish everything on their plate, as this can create a negative relationship with food.

Doing this will also give you an easier time during meals. Even when their not-so-favorite meal is served, they will still eat without much difficulty and get all the nutrition they need while young.

2. Dine at the Table

Teaching your children to eat from the table at all times is an excellent way to nurture patience, confidence, and etiquette, even during a function.

It also helps you develop a mealtime routine and an order they can follow. Getting them to sit still may be hard at first, but they will get used to it.

At the table, children can observe other family members and learn from them, especially on portion control, to only eat what they can until they are full.

Eating meals at the table will enable you to monitor them, ensuring that they eat healthily and have open communication.

3. Give Them Some Freedom

Everyone, including adults, has cheat days, and your kids might have more of them.

Therefore, it is essential to establish specific times during the day when they can enjoy a snack.

If possible, set up a snack drawer where they can pick their snacks and fill it with healthier options for them to choose from.

Once you instill good eating habits in your kids, you will not have to worry about how much they eat when candy and junk food pop up in the form at a birthday party.

When you give them some freedom, you will notice that they learn how to control the snack portions, and you will also save yourself public embarrassment.

4. Buy Smart Treats

It is important to let kids enjoy some packaged treats once in a while. One way to control this is to purchase freeze dried candy and store them away.

This way, you can reward them for good behavior or just have a treat with your kids when you as the parent want to.

You could also develop a baking hobby with your kids. This not only strengthens your relationship, it allows you to monitor the ingredients in the treats.

This may help your children appreciate the effort involved in making the food, thus encouraging less indulgence. You can also develop a culture of indulging in healthier alternatives that are easier to make.

5. Teach Them Hunger Cues

First, have an open conversation about food types and when and why you eat them. Help them understand hunger levels, like when they feel too hungry and not too hungry.

This awareness will let your children know how much they can eat at a particular time. At times, all they need is a light snack or a heavy meal to keep them going.

Explain to them what hunger feels like and how to tell when they feel full—for example, teaching them how to recognize simple cues like a rumbling stomach when hungry and a full stomach after eating will help them pay attention.

Every kid is different, and what works for one kid may not work for the other. You might notice that one may eat snacks before the next meal while others may not.