We’ve implemented a new plan in our house lately. And it is working wonders.

Does anyone else have a child that likes sweets as much as mine? I know, I know. I am to blame- not only am I a softie when it comes to sweets, I was also born with a sweet tooth. So, by natural inheritance, my daughter is obsessed with sweet food. (I swear it’s genetic).

Or, does anyone have the “I’m full but hungry” child?  You know? That child who is so full at the dinner table he can’t possibly take another bite of his meal (even though it’s only been 5 bites)? And then, 30 minutes later, he’s complaining of being starving. Yes, we know that child very well, too. The always full but always hungry child will result in the always grazing child.

Well, all of these amazingly smart tactics from the little people in our household got us thinking… Who’s really in charge of mealtime? And after much debate (and according to my 4 year old, the jury is still out on this one), we decided to take back mealtime. So, here’s what we’re doing… And here’s why it works.

3-2-1 

3 meals, 2 snacks, and 1 treat. That’s it. 

3 meals- well, this is pretty obvious: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Each meal ‘strives’ to have a protein and a fruit or vegetable. Each meal occurs at approximately the same time each day. Each meal is predictable, in that the kids know it’s coming.

2 snacks- these are also fairly predictable: morning and afternoon. This area, however, is when it becomes a little more gray. While I will always provide a morning snack and an afternoon snack, there are times which major growth spurts are happening, and in this case (if every meal is fully devoured, and each snack is fully devoured), I will also offer another serving of fruits, vegetables, or protein.  Our snacks include a mini version of fruit or vegetable, plus a grain or protein.

1 treat- given at any point after lunch. This is the most challenging piece for us, which is what our drive was behind this new rule. We allow one treat throughout the entire day. This can be ice cream, frozen yogurt, a piece of candy,  slice of pie, a piece of cake…. Anything sweet.  But, once one sweet has been enjoyed for the day, that’s it for the rest of the day.  So, when Sweet Suzy wants frozen yogurt for an afternoon treat, she will have to learn that there will be no dessert after dinner.

This plan works.  It works for the kids…. and even for the adults.  While it takes the negotiation out of mealtime, snacks, and sweets, it also puts an emphasis on a healthy eating routine for everyone.  This puts an end to the frequent grazing, that can often interfere with successful meals.  This implements the opportunity to say “take it or leave it- but you’ll have to wait until the next time to eat.”  It also takes the battle out of the constant want for all of those unnecessary treats.