Questions and answers - sugary snack swaps
I have real trouble stopping my kids snacking all day long. How can I limit their unhealthy snacks?
Try replacing the unhealthy snacks with ones you don’t mind them eating – fruit, oatcakes, breadsticks and frozen fruity ice-cubes. Don’t cut out bad snacks completely, just let them have them occasionally. You could also let your kids make or decorate their own snack boxes and choose three snacks every morning to put in. Tell them they can eat them when they like, but when they’re finished there’ll be no more until tomorrow.
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Can I give my kids fruit juice instead of cola without it hurting their teeth? They won’t drink plain water.
Pure fruit juice is a healthy option for kids – it has the same vitamins as fruit so also counts towards their 5 A DAY and satisfies their craving for sweet things. Make sure you choose the ’unsweetened’ type as it doesn’t have any added sugar . Fruit juice does still contain natural sugars so isn’t great in large quantities. You can also give them small amounts of diluted sugar-free squash, cordial or fruit juice. Try to encourage them to drink it with a meal and brush their teeth afterwards.
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I can just about get my kids’ snacking under control at home, then as soon as they go to their Nan’s house and she fills them up with all sorts of sugary food because she thinks it’s OK to ’spoil them’ sometimes. How can I get her to see she’s making things harder for me at home?
The first thing to do is explain to Nan that it’s because she loves her grandchildren so much that you need her help in making them grow up healthy. Tell her what you’re trying to do, and why you’re doing it. You could also try stocking up Nan’s cupboards with a few healthier snacks and ask her to give them these instead. Or get them to take snacks with them instead.
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Help! Whenever I take the kids shopping, when we get to the checkout there are suddenly loads of sugary snacks they’ve grabbed when my back’s been turned. How can I keep them busy?
First of all, try to help the kids understand why those kinds of snacks are bad for them and why things that taste sweet are not always things we can eat a lot of. And when you go shopping, try to involve them in some way, maybe give them their own list of food they need to find, or get them looking for lower sugar options on the things you need (if they're old enough to read).
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Can I give my kids fruit? I know it contains sugar, so isn’t too bad for them?
Fruit does contain sugar, but it’s natural sugar and it’s contained in the structure of the fruit so it’s less likely to cause tooth decay. It’s fine for them to eat foods that contain natural sugar, like fruit, because they also have vitamins, minerals and fibre. Try and encourage them to eat their 5 A DAY – five portions of fruit and vegetables. The kind of sugar that’s bad for them is ‘added sugar’ which is extra sugar put into food and drink to make it taste sweeter.
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My children see sweets as ’treats’ which I’m trying to get them out of. What else can I give them that they think is just as exciting as a reward?
You could try stickers or little toys - you can buy cheap toys like the ones they get in party bags or out of crackers, in most toy shops. And don’t forget that treats don’t have to be a ’thing’ - activities and time with you can be just as valuable to them, like a family trip to the swimming pool.
Some local authorities have free swimming offers, so it's worth checking their websites for details.
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