Then you became the mum, and even though your feelings about it being 'junk' didn't change, the fact that your kid actually would eat it, made it a lot easier to buy it. So many kids turn up their noses and will not eat much, if any, of the good healthy alternatives, but will eat an entire meal if it comes from a fast food place. If your kids are already fast food junkies, how do you break the cycle, and if they aren't yet, how do you prevent it from happening in the first place?

It may sound like common sense, but your child's eating habits all start with you. If you are eating your meals together as a family and you are eating healthy foods, your kids will be a lot more interested in eating what you're eating. If you are trying to slowly break the cycle of fast food dining, when you do go, choose the healthiest options they offer. The best way to break the cycle though, is to just stop buying it, and cook at home. Of course we all have such busy lives; buying fast food is just easier sometimes.

Preparation is key

With a little foresight into your week and a little preparation, you can make healthy alternatives to fast food for your family and help break the fast food junkie cycle. Take some time to plan healthy menus, and buy in bulk. Make the meals ahead of time on the weekend, if that's when you have some free time and make more than one so that you can put some in the freezer for weeknight dinners in a pinch. If lunchtime is the time you usually stop at the fast food places while running errands, plan accordingly. Before you go out, pack healthy lunches for you and your kids, or plan on leaving a little earlier to be sure you will be home for lunchtime.

Don't let you child become another statistic

We all know that childhood obesity is becoming a big problem, with less active kids and more processed and high sugar foods to choose from, it's no wonder why. Making good health food choices and limiting or eliminating fast food can be hard to do with our busy lives, but is very worth it. If you think you can't afford to buy the healthier alternatives, look at what we are spending on fast food, and the repercussions of fast food.The fast food companies may need to share in some of the blame, but the most important factor in what your child eats is you, make sure you are educated and informed on what is best for your child's health.

by Rachel Goodchild

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