Nix the Snacks on Family Road Trips
Using snacks in the car as a source of entertainment for your kids could be sending them the wrong message, say dieticians and experts. "Using food to keep your kids occupied encourages them to eat when not hungry, a habit that can contribute to weight problems later in life," says Joan Carter, an instructor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. It's a common defense against boredom. Parents give their children snacks when they start whining or getting restless in the car. This practice, though, can send kids the message that snacking is a good way to occupy their time. Instead of snacks, pack games, books and other activities to help children pass the time. On trips that are less than two hours, Carter says all you need in the car is water. For longer trips, she suggests stopping every few hours for snacks and playtime. "Find a park or rest stop where there's a place to eat a snack and run around for a few minutes," she says. "Get the kids moving a little bit, and let them burn off some energy." When you don't have time for a snack-and-play pit stop, pack bite-size sandwiches and healthy snacks such as trail mix, sliced fruit and string cheese to eat in the car, says Carter. Don't offer any food that could pose a choking hazard to a child if you had to slam on the brakes. "An easy rule is if you wouldn't let a kid run with it in his mouth, don't let him eat it in the car," says Carter. |
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