Study finds increase in snacking related to parental oversight

anothermom2
Tue, 12 Jul 2016 15:07:05 +0000

I think snacks are not to be the major source of calories for the kids, but it is not surprising that for many it is a major source of calories. I think this pervades the parenting of more educated folks as well. One pet peeve of mine is “car snacks”. Yes, unfortunately many kids are in the car a lot, going long distances to school, activities etc. Sometimes it is unavoidable to eat in the car (eg. long trip back after an extracurricular activity), but there are plenty of kids who routinely have juice, goldfish, or other chip type food in the car all the time (to keep them quiet I guess). Then they don’t eat their lunch or dinner which hopefully is better quality food. I never liked the idea of kids eating in a moving vehicle (choking hazard etc.), but maybe I am overly strict. Feeding kids can be difficult since many don’t like to eat vegetables and “real” food so issues arise. Again, thankfully, my kid always liked vegetables. In the olden days when I was young, we went home after school and might get cookies and milk (not a snack that I would consider serving today.)

Going back decades, I remember a college friend who said that candy and snacks were not allowed in her house growing up. She was in great shape and an athlete too. I tried not to feed my kid sugar etc for years when she was small. Eventually they get that first cookie and soda in school or wherever, and the issues do arise (that these foods exist). I had various friends in the time of play groups etc. that took feeding kids healthy foods very much to heart as well. Some kids are very active and can handle “empty” calories, but not all are. I think any approach can backfire as well. Another friend said that the snacks were handed out judiciously by her folks, but that she would sneak snacks that she got elsewhere because of this.

Training kids early as to healthy foods is a good idea, but they have to be of an age to understand and cooperate. “Sigh” - this often is hard.