Out of sight, out of mind is a good general rule when it comes to treats for the kids. If you keep healthy alternatives at hand, your children will go for these first; they don't have another option.

Keeping the fruit bowl filled,making sure you have some yoghurt and cheese on hand, or some wholegrain bread and avocado, fresh sweet carrots or cucmber, will make
the job much easier.

Also, make sure treats are put away somewhere high on a shelf, hidden away, so they can't be seen everytime the pantry door is opened.

I've also noticed that in some households it has become the 'norm' to put treats in lunchboxes. Treats are called treats because they are exactly that. A 'sometime' food, not a regular occurence.Children very quickly will become used to treats in their routine and then will come to expect them as a matter of course. They will get eaten before the healthy sandwich, you can be sure of that..

So, with some planning, you can limit their intake of sugar to healthy levels and promote nutiritious eating habits.  Until next month, Cath

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