So, we decided to let Carli have her own drawer of food in the refrigerator. Dad went out yesterday to the 99cent store and bought a few containers in which to hold all her healthy, nutritious goodies he'd purchased. Carli can now 'shop' in this drawer and eat whatever she wants, whenever she wants. Things in this 'grocery store' include: pickles, tortilla chips (in a snack bag), 2 cookies, fruit cocktail in light sauce, pears, mini hotdogs, chili, macaroni and cheese, orange and apple slices, a few pieces of turkey deli meat, and other miscellaneous items.
This has turned out to be the greatest idea yet to inspire independence when it comes to eating. No longer do I hear "Mom, I'm hungry!" and then having to settle in for a long battle over what to have for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Carli can now take charge of what she eats and since I already taught her 'everything in moderation' she knows that even if she has a whole can of chili, she doesn't have to eat the entire bowlful.
She can take a bagful of chips and some baby carrots, along with some low-fat ranch dressing spiced up with some taco seasoning and eat however much she desires.
For those of you who are having issues, I think this is a great way to get your child to eat healthy snacks throughout the day, week, month, heck all year long!
