Help for Overweight Kids: What to Feed Your Child When They Want Something Sweet

It's well known throughout the world that the United States has a serious, and growing, obesity problem. Sadly, children are among the most affected. American kids today are more overweight than they have ever been before in our country's history. It doesn't take much thought to realize the biggest culprits in the child obesity problem occurring in our country. Kids today have more access to more types of snacks junk food than ever before, and coupled with the fact that many kids spend several sedentary hours sitting in front of television or video games, it's really no wonder that obesity in American children has become the serious problem that it now is.

Fortunately, some parents of overweight kids are trying to make healthy lifestyle changes in order to help their children escape a future of lifelong weight problems. One of the most difficult aspects of this endeavor of course, is getting kids to substitute all those unhealthy snacks and junk food for healthier alternatives. However, cutting out a lot of junk food doesn't have to mean that an overweight child never gets to eat anything tasty again. If you are a parent who is trying to find sweet but healthier snack alternatives to junk food for your overweight child, consider the following suggestions.

Dried fruit - Dried fruit makes a fantastic sweet substitute for less healthy items like candy. Avoid products that add lots of artificial colors in order to market to children, because these snacks are nearly just as bad as candy. Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers and many types of so-called "fruit snacks" sold on the shelves of grocery stores are really just as unhealthy as the gummy worms sold three aisles over, so don't waste your money on these products because they don't offer your child any real nutrition. Instead, look for fruit leather items made by Stretch Island Fruit Company or Kettle Valley for natural fruit snacks made from 100% real fruit. Or, keep things simpler by just having different types of dried fruits around the house, such as raisins, prunes, dried apricots, and dried cranberries.

Baked goods made with little or no sugar - Scour the Internet and you'll find dozens and dozens of great baked goods recipes designed for diabetics, which contain little or no sugar. Sometimes the sweetness is added by using bananas or applesauce in the recipe. These are sweet, but healthier alternatives to the pre-packaged cookies and snack cake types of products your child may be used to eating. Be sure to substitute whole wheat flour in place of white flour whenever possible as well, because white flour is something your overweight child should be consuming very little of.

Fresh fruit - It's very important that your overweight child learns to snack on fruit instead of junk food. This one lifestyle change can make a huge difference in their lives. Even if you have a picky eater who won't eat any other fruit besides apples and bananas, it's still very important that they learn as soon as possible to reach for these instead of the nearest bag of gummy candies. For variety during times when fresh fruit is not in season, check out your canned fruit aisle at the grocery store. Look for canned fruit that is packed in fruit juice only, do not buy fruit canned in syrup. Applesauce can be a great way to add fruit to your child's diet as well, but again, stick to the varieties with no added sugar.

Yogurt - Yogurt is such a great choice when your overweight child wants something sweet. Yogurt contains calcium, protein, and beneficial bacteria which support your child's colon health and immune system. And these days, yogurt is versatile as well. Pack a GoGurt in your child's lunch box instead of cookies, or let them drink a Danimals yogurt drink in the car on the way to soccer practice.

Helping an overweight child to lead a healthier lifestyle can be a monumental task. But it is the responsibility of every parent to teach their children to eat as healthfully as medical conditions and budgets allow. No child wants to live a lifetime of obesity.