Fife nutritional therapist Carrie Temple knows first hand how hard it is to keep kids away from fatty and sugary snacks and eating the good stuff instead.
And while the 43-year-old professional is proud of her “one pot wonders” and “home- made” burger “takeaways”, even she bows to the inevitable occasionally and agrees to a less than healthy treat.
But that’s a rarity in the Temple household.
So how does the mum of two manage it?
How does she get the kids eating healthily?
Carrie is a “big fan of a one pot wonder.”
“If I can get it all in the one pot that’s my go to!
“We love a beef chilli with brown rice and the kids love it.
“I don’t make it very spicy but it’s a great way of packing in loads of veggies and beans. The kids will tend to have a bit of cheese on top too.
“We all like Spaghetti Bolognese with half of it made with mince and the other half with mushrooms and carrots.
“My children also like white fish and one of their favourite meals is a Spanish turkey stew.”
Breakfast is another opportunity to pack in the five-a-day.
“Jackson is quite partial to porridge, with mashed banana through it, and he might have some toast. He will even have some cheese if he is feeling very hungry in the morning.
“On occasion, Jackson will have Coco Pops cereal but again he will have some banana in there as well.
“While my little girl will dive into my granola in the morning – she likes yoghurt.”
But what about the junk food?
With Jackson, 5, and Millie, 2, Carrie knows that temptation is everywhere. And she’s come up with some great strategies to minimise the damage.
“McDonald’s is only something I’ve allowed Jackson to have in the last year and it’s only if we’re on a road trip or he’s at granny’s maybe.
“I’ve made them a ‘home-made’ McDonald’s and Jackson still talks about it and wants me to do it for him again. This also involves me giving him a small toy!”
Sweets make an appearance but – for Carrie – keeping the portions small works a treat.
“They do get to eat sweets but I limit the choices they get and how much they have.
“I will offer them fruit and vegetables and savoury snacks on the most part and will allow them something small if they have eaten well at their meals.
“I believe it’s important for them to have the sweets they want, but it’s also important they understand they can’t have them all the time.
“Too much sugar affects behaviour and impacts their mood and concentration.”
Jackson’s favourite sweet is Tangfastics.
“However, I wouldn’t let him sit with the bag. I would put some in a bowl for him and he is quite happy with that.”
Is anything banned?
The Temple family are lucky, in that Jackson loves drinking water and “won’t really drink much else.”
The family take a pretty zero tolerance approach to all fizzy drinks.
“My son isn’t a fan…and I wouldn’t let him have it to be honest.
“Sometimes Jackson and Millie will have fresh orange juice which I dilute down with water.
“Slushes and bright coloured, sugary drinks are a no for me. Jackson does ask and I often distract him or change the subject.
“He had one on holiday this year and it will remain a holiday treat. They’re so sugary and full of colourings that I think it’s an unnecessary evil as far as I’m concerned.
“Nobody needs that much sugar in one sitting and children don’t understand this. They just like that it’s colourful and tasty so it’s my job to limit their intake.”
