Your Mind Your Body

I read an interesting article from the Associated Press titled “Holiday treats a tempting trap for heavy kids.” I would go one step farther and say holiday treats are a tempting trap for everyone.

Kids and parents tend to see the holidays as a time to overindulge in everything–gifts, alcohol and especially food. The temptations are particularly difficult for children who have less impulse control and little knowledge of how to balance treats and a healthy lifestyle.

The research is clear that withholding all treats and monitoring every bite that your child eats tends to backfire. It makes kids want more junk, and they will probably either sneak it or end up feeling sad and angry if they can’t have it.

Food has a lot of meaning for most of us. Unfortunately, many parents use food as a reward for good behavior and healing physical and emotional wounds. It is often used as the “drug of choice” to self-soothe. It has powerful links to special times in our lives–such as holidays.

The holidays are a great time to take a look at the overall lifestyle of your family. Families that really enjoy physical activity tend to be healthier and don’t have to worry so much about occasionally overindulging.  

Think about what you are looking forward to this season. If all you can think about is the food, you and your kids are in trouble. But if you and your family are looking forward to treats such as ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, swimming at an indoor pool or even just playing outside in the snow, you won’t have to be so concerned about every bite you or your children consume.  The new Wii Fit is a great way for families to enjoy physical activity indoors year-round.

There are also many ways to make really good lower fat foods. The radio station I appear on each month, WRCH-FM, has a dietician who frequently gives “smacked down” versions of many of our favorite foods. Keep cut up carrots, fruit and a bowl of hummus on the counter. Let the kids snack on these whenever they want. Young kids are especially good at regulating food intake according to hunger, if they are not trained to feed their boredom or sadness with food. Remember that what they crave most is your time and attention.

Not every treat has to be bulging with sugar and fat. But, it’s also important to remember that sometimes it’s fine to indulge in more fattening treats…and not feel guilty! It’s all about balance. You don’t need 12 cookies or an entire cake. But there is nothing wrong with a normal-size portion of cake or a few cookies.

Remember, you are their role model. If you see sweets as the craved forbidden fruit, so will your kids. If you enjoy a handful of almonds or pistachio nuts, and fruit smoothies made with low-fat yogurt, and eating sushi with chopsticks, chances are your kids will want them as well. Try to encourage your kids to engage in one hour of physical activity for every hour of sedentary “electronic” time.

Make the holidays about healthy family fun, not just family food. And have a happy, safe and healthy holiday season.

Filed under: Children, Lifestyle & Behaviors, Parenting, Weight Issues