Junk food in other people's homes: How can I keep my child from eating it?

While it’s easy to make the rules in your own home, whether they’re about television, toys or the type of foods that your child is allowed to eat, that’s not the case when your child visits elsewhere. You will need to be prepared for a difference of opinion now and then.

The most important thing you can do is to try and make your child aware of the difference between healthy and not so healthy food choices. Try labelling foods as healthy, or growing foods, and treats as slow or even junk food. That way, your child will learn the difference between foods that help him or her, and those that are good to eat, but don’t have such a great effect.

Try making a food pyramid with your child, so that he or she can see the types of foods that he or she should be eating most of the time, and what should be an occasional treat.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that an occasional treat when visiting is not okay, but if your child is getting sweets and other unhealthy snacks from his or her grandmother, or at a friend’s house every day, then it’s time to take a stand. Try educating the person who is giving your child treats about healthy eating. Make sure that you are firm, and you make your wishes known in a clear and concise manner. If you need to, writing down what’s okay, and what’s not, is a good way to make sure that everyone is clear on what your child may, and may not eat, and when. If all else fails, or if your child’s primary caregiver is the problem- giving your child sweets or other treats all the time - then you may need to look for an alternative.  It’s too important an issue to compromise on.