I aim to offer up fruits and vegetables to my children to snack on before a sugary option, but to be honest, I like a little sugar from time to time myself. I buy mostly organic snacks but on occasion, at my discretion, I’ll introduce some limited fun. Take for instance the Swedish fish and Oreos I let slide one recent Friday afternoon. As promised, my children became immediately addicted. Why wouldn’t they?
Later that night as I was working on my Kroger Click List order, a wonderful way to shop on-line for groceries in our town, I stumbled upon something that was helpful to my mostly healthy eating snack clause. My son, who should have been in bed at the time, was sitting next to me and asked me to get more of the swedish fish. I’m a label reader, so I searched for them and read the ingredient list to him. And I read, SUGAR, INVERT SUGAR, CORN SYRUP, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, CITRIC ACID, WHITE MINERAL OIL, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, RED 40 AND CARNAUBA WAX. The wax one sealed the deal. We spent a good amount of time reading other labels on his wish list like oreos and chocolate milk, laughing as some of the ingredients were not easy to pronounce. After a good discussion, we both came to the conclusion that what is in these products isn’t worth eating, surely not regularly. He hasn’t asked for any of them since and is making healthier choices for himself. Problem solved, for now.
What a wonderful way to educate children versus “just say no”. They become well informed decision makers which will not only help them make better food choices…..it will also help them in understanding how to weigh options in all aspects of their lives. Way to go Mom!
Thanks, mom. It just worked with him and it was fun too. It’s a big responsibility. I can only hope that it’s beneficial now and in the future in the choices they make.