junk food - a question

[Mak]

We use the sometimes and everyday tags as well. I agree with the everything in moderation approach as well as I have a few friends/relatives who are so full on and strict about their kids NOT eating it that it has become a massive issue for them. These kids are the ones that stay glued to the food tables at parties and scoff the lollybags in the car on the way home from parties. I have been amazed at DD hoarding the lollybags but not eating them - it has surprised me.
The grandparents/other special people is a difficult one - I have tended to relax and let them do what they want as they really do not have extended periods of access to the kids so it is not so much of a big thing. Partly because I saw my SIL taking a hard line on food and it really made my parents upset and became a big issue that got way out of proportion and partly cos my kids are a little older and they will (amazingly) say when they have had enough.
That has been the general focus that we have taken lately - to ask if their tummies are full and offer some water first and see if they are still hungry when some time has passed.
The tricky part with food is that everyone has different ideas as to what constitutes junk - in extreme I would consider anything premade and would choose a souvlaki over sushi over Maccas but that is just me. Similiarly I don't give my kids juice at all when I know that would be considered as pretty OTT. But my kids have Maccas on occasion - so how I work home and out can be really different (maybe seen as inconsistent).
It gets harder as the kids get bigger as they have more outtside influence - especially if you rely on outside help that wants the kids to love spending time with them. I do beleive that they will be moulded by their immediate family more than anyone else.
As to how to avoid it being a treat - we do other stuff as treats, so outings, stickers, toys, games, craft and try to avoid the tags for food - so it is to get energy and keep us healthy not anything else!