Discussion Board

I have a couple of kids that are complaining that they don't get junk food. Of course that is not true. I have a husband and a grown daughter that give them junk food now and then and at church sometimes as well. I used to be so strict on food with them, now it is getting harder to feed them right. My husband says I need more variety for them. I used to make healthier treats now and then, but I stopped, because they were too much of a temptation for me. Now for snacks they get fruit, popcorn or bread most of the time. I sometimes make almond or peanut butter balls. I know for a fact the more they eat junk food the more they crave it, but it is really hard to keep them away from it.

I just need advice. I am frustrated.
Kathy, sorry if I rambled.

One idea is to make sure they get really full at breakfast time. That should start off the day better. Also, like my mother did, kick them outside to play. They are just annoying you at this point.

Thankyou for that advice. I used to put out cut up veggies and just haven't done that latley. I would cut them up and set them out in container on the table and they would snack of them. I need to do that again. I also like the idea for those oatmeal bars. I think I will make those. I do need to realize they are just being picky.I ususally make the rule, "if you don't eat it you go hungry and they don't get anything else to eat". I did that with my one son whom I adopted. He used to hate rice,but I would make him eat it. Now he loves fried rice.

Thanks again.
Kathy

I don't force my kids to eat but at the same time I don't cater to them either. It's such a fine line to walk. On the one hand you don't want them to be picky and on the other you want them to be nourished. I offer a variety of healthy foods (and they get junk sometimes) and then try not to pay too much attention.

FYI: my 3yr old is sitting next to me now eating brussell sprouts. He's one of my good eaters.

We give our two kids mostly fruit for snacks. Kiwi seems to be the favorite.

fruits are good. we sometimes try junk food, but not on regular basis

Thanks, good idea with the apple with cinnamon. I have been doing fruit latley and pb balls or almond balls or sometimes bread. I need to do celery with pb. My son loves those.
Kathy

My kids love sliced apples with peanut butter to dip them in.

My 13 yr old invented a dessert for me of sliced fresh pears sprinkled with cinnamon and drizzled with just a little melted chocolate (he melted dairy free dark chocolate chips in a small bowl in the microwave)...It was DELISH!!

I also have been making blueberry peach crisp with the fresh michigan blueberries and peaches that are so plentiful now. It feels like a decadent dessert, but is really good for them!

Blueberry-Peach Crisp
4 cups peeled sliced peaches
1 1/2 cup blueberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground

Topping
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tbs. ground flax seed
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line peaches and blueberries in a casserole dish. Sprinkle with lemon juice, sugar and vanilla. Mix cornstarch and cinnamon together and add to fruit. Toss gently to coat.
Combine oats, walnuts, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, flax seed and salt in a bowl. Stir to mix, then spread evenly over fruit.

Bake until fruit is tender, and bubbly about 35 minutes. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Note: this recipe is a combination of a recipe from Jennifer Raymond for Apple Crisp (topping) and a McCormick recipe for Peach-Blueberry Crisp (filling), except I added a touch of sugar to the filling.