Raising healthy kids is a big priority for parents, but kids love sweets, and research shows this preference is simply part of human biology.

Still, we as parents want to get nutritious foods into our kids’ growing bodies. We don’t want our kids to eat junk. In an ideal world, we would never let our kids have candy at all.

But we’re not living in an ideal world, and compromise is a big part of daily life. Kids love sweets and should have them – in moderation. One could even argue that anything that’s completely forbidden will eventually come back to haunt you – or your kids – later on.

If they don’t learn to manage their sweets or soda consumption early on, they might get out of control once they’re on their own and can do as they please. If that happens, Freshman Fifteen may be unavoidable or even turn into Freshman Fifty.

My own kids have a small stash of sweets in a designated cupboard. Each night after dinner, they are allowed to choose one candy as their dessert. So far it’s been working well.

We also try to be good role models. When we go out for ice cream, we all order a small scoop of ice cream; we accompany our coffee with a small piece of chocolate rather than a large piece of cake; and we always share desserts at restaurants. We are trying to teach our kids that sweets can, and should be enjoyed – in small quantities.

Raising healthy kids should be easy in a world where healthy food is so readily available, but since junk is available too, it takes effort, planning and persistence.

Photo by SpacePotato

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