Candy for babies is both an amazing thing and a scary thing.
One of the most important things that I have done is try to build a healthy relationship with sweets.
I don’t have a big sweet tooth.
On the other hand, my husband has a significant sweet tooth—cake, candy, chocolate, ice-cream, and pretty much everything except pie.
Our kids are somewhere in the middle.
If they see candy around or managed to find mom’s emergency stash of chocolate, they’re definitely all about it.
I feel this middle ground is a perfect view of sweets for them to have.
With that in mind, today, I’m going through 7 ways that I have used to help my kids to form a healthy relationship with sweets.
1. Let it Go (sometimes)
I’m definitely signing that song now.
Do you ever feel guilty about having that extra serving of your favorite dessert? Or those around you are all like, “Are you really sure you need that?”
That is literally the worst.
I want that second (or third) slice of pie, Karen! I AM WORTH IT!
Sometimes, we should indulge our kids too!
They are, after all, just small versions of ourselves.
We all have limits - physically.
Kids are especially good at self-regulating when they’re full and will learn that this particular food isn’t all that special if they are allowed to eat it to their desire.
Let them have a little candy for babies here and there - it’s not the end of the world.
2. Stop Labeling
Just as we don’t want to be labeled, especially with the term “bad,” we should steer clear labeling foods as good or bad.
We love using the words and phrases like “healthy” or “do you feel this is a healthy choice?”
It pulls out the shame and lets kids feel like they have some control - putting their brains to work!
We are not bad people for wanting cookies and they’re not bad for wanting candies for babies.
So why are labeling cookies as “bad?"
Have a cookie.
It may not be a healthy choice, but it’s still a creature comfort that we should all be afforded from time to time.
3. Avoid Rewarding Food with Food
“If you finish your dinner, you can have dessert.”
This statement essentially labels the food they don’t want to eat as less significant (the yuck) than the sweet they want (the yum).
Think about the message that you are sending.
4. Include Sweets at Mealtime
Including a small portion of the dessert on the plate will cut down on the number of times you’re asked about when do I get my cookies?!
The entire meal, your child is thinking about cookies.
Don’t think about elephants!
You’re thinking about elephants now, aren’t you?
5. Natural Consequences
You know how you feel like sh*t after you eat some fast food or had way too much sugar?
That epic crash, and you just don’t want to move?
That’s a natural consequence that can make us rethink having that donut.
This definitely isn’t for everyone, but you can allow your child to experience the natural consequences of too many sweets and not enough healthy choices to balance out the day.
6. Sweet Schedule
We have movie night every Friday.
This means we order pizza and have an indoor picnic with all the snacks and, of course, a family-friendly flick.
This is more or less the “scheduled sweet day.”
The children know that they will satisfy their sweet tooth every Friday.
7. Healthier Alternatives
Not all sweets are created equal.
Natural sugars are healthier than processed sugars.
Freeze some grapes instead of ice cream - dip them in some yogurt for the creamy aspect.
Add some black beans to your brownies for some added protein.
Apple Nachos! MMM.
Sliced Apples with peanut butter drizzle and even add some dark chocolate chips!
Conclusion - Candy For Babies
Helping your kids form a healthy relationship with sweets is one of the most important things you can do.
By doing this, you are setting them up for success in their lives with resisting sweets and many other temptations.
When you do allow them to splurge, the best way to store candy for babies is Planet Wise’s leak proof bags.
I know, I know.
I’ve been talking about them a lot lately but it’s simply because they are so amazing.
My fridge and freezer are full of them and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Planet Wise has a print or solid color to suit your child’s interests and favorite colors making snack time cute and fun.
On top of that, their snack and sandwich bags are portioned sized so that you can limit what is being served and accessible to your child.
Click here to check out the Planet Wise Leak Proof Sandwich Bags now!
