Get kids to eat less junk food with 3 simple parenting tips.

As parents, we do everything we can to give our children the greatest start in life possible. We teach them manners, encourage them to engage in sports and make them dinner each night. But after all that, we are still faced with the junk food battle. How do you get your sweet child to eat less junk food in order to live a healthy life without it being a chore? 

1. Don't buy it.

The best thing you can do to stop yourself and your child from eating junk food is to quit buying it. When our families go to the grocery store, we usually walk past a few aisles with cookies, chips, and sodas. We then rationalize our choices by telling ourselves if we buy a few items, it won’t be so bad. If we have junk food in the house, we’ll eat it, so do yourself a favor and don’t bring it into your home.  

2. Eat it—once in a while.

Depriving ourselves of what we like is a guaranteed way to go back and overindulge on them. While keeping it stocked within your home is a no-no, don't deprive yourself entirely. Treat yourself once a week (or once a month if you have self-control) to the things you love. If it's a burger, fries, and maybe a milkshake afterward, go for it! But remember, don’t overindulge. Just eat it to satisfy your craving, and return to eating the healthier things. 

3. Drink water.

We know this sounds crazy, but believe us—it works. A glassful of water can deter the urge to nosh on chips and candy. When our bodies begin to crave junk, we typically think it’s because we’re hungry. The truth is, this is, more often than not, a sign of dehydration. By drinking plenty of water throughout the day, you’re not only hydrating your body, but also you're filling up on a healthy, natural resource. To keep up the good practice, you can add the task to their mobile reward chart app and incentivize them from a universal wish list such as Wishfinity.