How to prevent junk food snacking during school holidays!
During the school holidays we may be tempted to let the kids snack on junk food and take out. however when the blood sugar levels are not balanced it can cause tantrums and melt downs.
The best way to skip this is by making sure you have a range of healthy snacks available at all times.
Stock your fridge and pantry with plenty of nutritious food options. by being prepared will mean you’ll be ready before you even start to hear the inevitable “Mum, I’m hungry!” on repeat.
Here are some of my tips for the school holidays to keep the kids happy and healthy.
Get the kids involved.
A great way to keep the children busy and spend some quality time with them is to get them to help you in the kitchen with the cooking. Most kids love spending this time with their parents, plus helping to prepare food means that they’re more likely to eat or at least try what they’ve created.
The rule in my house is that once the food is prepared we all have to taste it, but no one is forced to eat it if they don’t want to. This has been the best strategy to get my fussy eaters to try new food (they didn't always love it but at least they tried it).
Stock up on healthy snacks.
Try removing triggers for craving sweets or snacking such as boredom, providing protein-rich meals that assist in keeping the fuller longer rather than sweet food which make them want more food.
A fun way to help your children to make healthy choices is, by creating personalised snack boxes that they can help themselves to during the holidays. Make a box for each child with their name on it and fill it with their favourite healthy snacks such as popcorn cooked, bliss balls, veggie sticks, chopped fruit and so on. The children will love being in charge of their own snacks plus it means you don’t have to spend the whole time in the kitchen cutting up fruit and making sandwiches.
Quick holiday fixes
Here are some handy suggestions to keep you and your family on the right nutritional track when you are out and about or doing something new in the school holidays:
- At the cinema...
Bring homemade popcorn or go with the movie popcorn but also bring a real food alternative such as sushi or a sourdough sandwich.
- Hitting the shops...
Make sure you pack a water bottle whenever you go shopping as a thirsty child may think he/she is hungry, as thirst mimics hunger. It won’t be long before they start asking for food so make sure you pack healthy snacks and try to feed them before you leave the house.