Being surrounded by children for much of my professional career, and now spending time teaching in a high school setting, I am bombarded with children’s eating habits. As a nutritionist/teacher who is very interested in why young people acquire certain habits, I often take short “polls” from young people regarding the choices they make, why they make them, their thoughts about eating, and how they feel about their bodies.

Knowing many youngsters who truly do maintain healthful eating habits at home and outside of their home, the latest statement that I wanted them to answer was: “I don’t mind being a healthy eater in my home because . . .”, and the conclusions were priceless.

Their parents did a great job in nutrition parenting, and it appears these children could be on their way to having learned one of the toughest jobs facing their lives today, keeping up their fitness and well-being. Here were some of their invaluable responses:

• “I really never knew any other way. This is just always the way my family ate, and it is really okay with me. I don’t miss much.”—Sara, age 9

• “When I think I am hungry, but I know I am really not, I have some other outlets to use instead of just eating—I’ll take out my basketball or go out for a quick bike ride, then I’m not around the kitchen or the food at home.”—Jason, age 13

• “I still have some great snack foods—even though it might not be regular ice cream or regular chips. My Mom has found me snacks that I still love, so I really never feel deprived. And, of course, on occasion, she does bring in my favorite—powdered doughnuts.”—Scott, age 7

• “We do not leave any food out on the kitchen counters which is a big help in my house. That is so hard to just pass up that leftover cake when it is sitting out on the counter—who wouldn’t be tempted! We keep fruit in a big bowl, and that’s just fine for me.”—Erica, age 16

• “Mom and Dad have taught me the definition and the practice of ‘moderation’ in a lot of things I do, so I’m pretty good at it, and I have learned some control over what choices I make.”—Ben, age 14

Make good use of this guide to assist your children in creating eating habits that will last them a lifetime.