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What Are the Best Tips for Limiting Junk Food for Kids?

Kelly Ferguson
Kelly Ferguson

Limiting junk food for kids is one of the most important health decisions that parents can make. Kids are subjected to numerous advertisements selling junk food every day, and cannot be expected to make healthy food choices on their own. Limiting junk food for kids by controlling the food they eat is only half the battle. Making sure they understand how to make healthy choices in situations where parents are not there to choose for them is just as important.

Advertising junk food for kids is a very profitable way for junk food companies to lure in customers who have not yet developed healthy habits and an understanding of the long-term effects of food choices on the body. Parents can limit the amount of junk food advertising their child sees by limiting the amount of time the child spends watching television and on the Internet. Additionally, when a junk food advertisement is shown, the parents can explain to their child why eating that product would be an unhealthy choice, and suggest similar but healthier options, such as a vegetable burger on wheat bread instead of a fast-food cheeseburger.

Children should not eat too many foods with a lot of fat and calories, like cheeseburgers.
Children should not eat too many foods with a lot of fat and calories, like cheeseburgers.

Parents should, if possible, pack the child's school lunch with healthy foods including fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. It is much healthier to do this than rely on the child's choice at school between junk food and healthy choices. This is especially true because many schools supply an abundance of chips, french fries, desserts, and other junk food for kids and a very limited supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, making it even harder for children who do try to make healthy choices to have a satisfying lunch.

Potato chips are high in fat and calories but offer little nutritional value.
Potato chips are high in fat and calories but offer little nutritional value.

Many parents resort to serving the family fast food because their busy schedules do not often allow them to cook a meal at home. A possible solution to this problem could be for the parents to spend a couple of hours on the weekend cooking healthy meals and freezing them for quick, convenient use during the week. Additionally, pre-packaged vegetable and fruit portions can be an easy way to add healthy food as a side dish for the frozen meal. If cooking is simply not an option, parents should try to choose restaurants that offer low-calorie menu items with plenty of fruits and vegetables instead of greasy fast-food items. Though children may express a preference for high-calorie, greasy food, it is important for parents to remain firm and explain why making healthy food choices is an important habit to form.

Discussion Comments

rosequartz

Because kids come home from school and watch television, they believe what they see and hear. Junk food looks so good and sounds so good. It breaks my heart.

I grew up without television or advertising. I lived in countries where kids played outside or stayed inside reading or sewing or cooking. I was shocked to find out American television was filled with junk. Junk advertising, junk tv, junk shows.

My kids understand how advertising tries to push them one way or another. They understand that food should be real, not plastic.

What about the next generation? Who's going to warn them?

sobeit

Advertising for junk food is directed at kids, just like toy commercials at Christmas. Junk food and children pretend to get along, but parents, you know how advertisers think.

They make everything look good, sound good, feel good.

You have to teach your children the difference between advertising and the truth.

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    • Children should not eat too many foods with a lot of fat and calories, like cheeseburgers.
      By: Gena
      Children should not eat too many foods with a lot of fat and calories, like cheeseburgers.
    • Potato chips are high in fat and calories but offer little nutritional value.
      By: andersphoto
      Potato chips are high in fat and calories but offer little nutritional value.
    • A sandwich on wheat bread can replace a child's hamburger.
      By: photocrew
      A sandwich on wheat bread can replace a child's hamburger.
    • Packing kids' lunches with healthy snacks and lean proteins will help limit their consumption of junk food.
      By: spaxiax
      Packing kids' lunches with healthy snacks and lean proteins will help limit their consumption of junk food.
    • Having healthy snacks available to children is one way to limit their junk food intake.
      By: Ewa Brozek
      Having healthy snacks available to children is one way to limit their junk food intake.
    • Kids should be encouraged to drink milk instead of soda.
      By: karandaev
      Kids should be encouraged to drink milk instead of soda.
    • Stock your refrigerator with oranges and other fruit that appeal to kids.
      By: mitev
      Stock your refrigerator with oranges and other fruit that appeal to kids.
    • Crackers are a low fat alternative to chips.
      By: suksao
      Crackers are a low fat alternative to chips.
    • Kids who eat nutritious foods typically have healthier immune systems than kids who don't, but occasionally eating fast food is OK.
      By: szeyuen
      Kids who eat nutritious foods typically have healthier immune systems than kids who don't, but occasionally eating fast food is OK.
    • Lunch meat sandwiches are a healthier lunch or snack option.
      By: Bert Folsom
      Lunch meat sandwiches are a healthier lunch or snack option.
    • Research shows that kids tend to eat more vegetables and healthy foods at sit-down family meals.
      By: Kurhan
      Research shows that kids tend to eat more vegetables and healthy foods at sit-down family meals.
    • Fruits, such as bananas, can be healthy options for kids' snacks and school lunches.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      Fruits, such as bananas, can be healthy options for kids' snacks and school lunches.
    • Junk food is usually easier and cheaper to make for meals.
      By: freshidea
      Junk food is usually easier and cheaper to make for meals.
    • Approximately 25% of American children are obese.
      By: olegmalyshev
      Approximately 25% of American children are obese.