Lately, I’ve been worrying if I’m overindulging my little one. With all the holiday treats, cookies, chocolates, big dinners, it feels like every day is a feast. I see my son enjoying it all, but then he complains about feeling heavy or getting stomach aches. I just want to find the balance between letting him enjoy the season and keeping his health on track. Anyone else struggling with this? How do you manage holiday nutrition for your kids?
Oh, I’m so with you on this. My 7 year old LOVES the holidays, and the treats are nonstop, everywhere we go, it’s cookies at school, candy from neighbors, or cupcakes at family gatherings. We’ve started setting a “one treat per day” rule, and I’ve noticed it helps. I also try to balance out the sugary stuff with healthy meals, like sneaking extra veggies into soups or smoothies. It’s tough, though, especially when everyone around you is indulging. Just remember, it’s okay to enjoy the season, but teaching balance now will help later.
I’ve been there, and honestly, what worked for us was having designated treat times. My son would get his “special holiday snack” after lunch, and that was it for the day. It’s also a good idea to talk to your kid about listening to their body, like recognizing when they’re full or feeling icky. We had a few tummy aches before my 8 year old started understanding that concept.
Yes, omg, same here. It feels like the holidays just scream sugar overload.
My kids are teens now, but when they were younger, the holidays were a big challenge. I started making it about the “fun of the food” rather than just eating it. We’d bake cookies but give most away to neighbors or family, or make a fruit platter shaped like a Christmas tree for gatherings. I also learned to focus on non-food traditions, like crafting ornaments or decorating the house. Trust me, they’ll still love the holidays, and you’ll feel better knowing you’re setting good habits. It’s hard, but it gets easier with time.
Hey, you’re not alone. I’ve been trying to keep a balance too, and while it feels impossible, it’s all about small wins. Like, if you’ve gotten through one holiday dinner with only one dessert plate, that’s a win! Kids learn by watching us, so if you’re modeling good eating habits, it’ll eventually click for them
I feel this so much. It’s like, how do you tell an excited kid no without ruining the fun? My daughter gets so hyped about cookies and gingerbread houses. Do you find it’s harder to say no at family gatherings, too? I swear, grandparents love sneaking in “just one more treat.”
One thing I’ve started doing is prepping healthier holiday treats. Instead of traditional sugar cookies, we’ll make oat, based cookies with less sugar or fruit kabobs with festive colors. My 7-year-old loves helping in the kitchen, so it becomes an activity we do together. I also try to keep meals balanced, if there’s a big feast coming, breakfast and lunch are simple and light. You could also encourage more movement, a family walk after dinner can do wonders for digestion (and energy!).