Last night I watched a special that talked about the dangers of childhood obesity, and how important it is that our kids remain a healthy weight. Children who are overweight often remain overweight as adults, and are prone to develop conditions like diabetes and heart problems. Now while my children aren’t overweight, the show really got me thinking about the different foods that I feed them, and wondering if I am setting the best possible example in terms of teaching them healthy eating habits.

So, I decided that while they will still be allowed occasional treats like chocolates, candies and cookies, they should also get used to eating healthier snacks more often. The usually eat very healthy at home, but the snacks I pack in with their lunch could be healthier. Some things that I will start sending them more often include items like veggies and dip, fruit and nut trail mix and raw fruits. I guess the only problem is that while these are all things they like, it might be tempting for them to trade some of their items for the more sugary snacks that their friends bring. Oh well, that’s probably inevitable, but hopefully it won’t happen too often…