Have a Healthy, Happy Holiday Party Season With Your Kids

With all the parties the holiday season brings, it’s easy for kids to eat their weight in cookies, cakes and candies. It’s only natural for them to want Grandma’s homemade peppermint fudge instead of Uncle Paul’s veggie tray, so it can be a challenge to keep them eating somewhat healthily during the season.

Some folks say, “It’s Christmas! Let them enjoy themselves,” and I agree to a point, but I also know this:

Whether or not it’s a festive occasion, my little guys are growing, and they need real fuel to stay healthy.
They are going to be climbing the curtains and bouncing from room to room until the wee hours of the morn, if I don’t help them practice a little restraint.
An all-treat diet leads to sick tummies, and it isn’t Grandma who’s going to be dealing with the aftermath.

I’m not saying there will be a blemish on your parenting record if they eat a couple more sweets than you’d normally allow, but the majority of what your kids take in should have nutritional value. To help them make good decisions during the holidays, give these tips and tricks a try:

Feed ’em first. If you know you’re headed to a shindig where sugar will be the theme of the day, then give them a light, healthy meal before you go.

Outline your expectations. Before you leave, tell them exactly what you think is appropriate and what’s not. Say, “We’re going to Aunt Betty’s for a Christmas party. There are going to be a lot of goodies there, but you still need to eat food that’s good for you. You can have one cookie before dinner, then no more until you’ve had a good meal.” When you get to Aunt Betty’s, tell them again, so it’s fresh in their minds.

Bring healthy party snacks. Disguise some healthy snack choices as a dish to pass. Make a cheese and grape tray. Slice up fruit and provide a yogurt-based homemade dip. Give your kids a snack alternative that’s good for them, but tasty and party-approved, too.

Choose wisely. Your kids get their cues from you. If they see you eating tons of junk, they’re naturally going to assume that it’s OK for them to do it, too. If you want them to eat responsibly, then choose your grub with their best interests in mind.

Eating healthy during the holidays can be tough for adults, but it’s even harder for children. They don’t understand the consequences of poor dietary choices, and they have friends and family encouraging them to eat the sweets they provide. Help them make better choices by showing them that you care what they put into their precious, little bodies all year round.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/40582715@N08/4860677724