Susan in Winnipeg asks:
I am trying really hard to stick to my diet but watching my 10 year old daughter eat chips and crackers is so tempting. I don't want to deprive her of snack foods but can't resist them when they are in the house. How do I walk the line?
Theresa answers:
Your question isn't how to walk the line; it is which line to walk. Let's be clear on the definition of snack.
In a healthy| balanced household| a snack is something eaten between meals to keep the blood sugar even and nourish your gorgeous bod. A juicy mandarin orange or celery sticks stuffed with peanut butter or cream cheese come to mind. A handful of almonds or even some salted pumpkin seeds are snacks.
Contrary to food manufacturers marketing ploys| potato chips and most crackers (unless she is eating dry ryes or whole wheat triscuits) are treats. A lot of folks call only things that are sugar laden...like candy and ice cream...treats. But high fat| high salt non-nutritive foods are treats too.
You are not doing your child a dis-service by not buying her chips and crackers. Sure| you will have to convince them in the short term| but in the long term deciding to rename what you are eating will keep you on a healthy diet forever.
Any food that is not contributing to your overall health is a treat - in the once per week or once per month category. Snacks are in the 2-3 per day category.
See? You can actually have more food| and stay on your healthy eating plan. You are doing the right thing| modeling good food attitudes over a lifetime. YUMMY!
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