[Iamjennmedic]

Hey been a long time since I've seen you around these parts. I have a few things that I use with my little guy. He is seven and has GAD and is on the Chunky side too. I have cut out pop (soda) and limit his juice intake. That is one of the easiest ways to cut out a lot of calories. I also buy snacks that are packaged to only have a certain number of calories in them, so he learns moderation. I have also sat down and we have made a list of the fruits and veggies that he really likes to eat and I keep a huge stock of them in the fridge. The rule is he has to eat a fruit or veggie before he is allowed to eat a snack. I won't put him on a "diet" but we have managed to cut 500 calories just by taking out the pop and limiting the juices, and cutting the amount of snack stuff he eats. Also make sure dinners are healthy and less carby but still things that he likes. I don't want my son to think he is fat or that he is restricted from eating, that just makes him want to eat more. Once or twice a month we go out to eat, for example he passed his belt test in taekwondo this weekend so we went out for pizza and wings as our eat out meal for the month. I find by making him aware of the excessive amount of calories and sugars etc in some of the foods and that he becomes aware that eating veggies etc, he actually gets to eat more and is satisfied. Trick is to find things he likes and make sure they are on hand. Combined with a ton of praise for each small success it has made a huge difference.

I hope that makes sense and helps a little.

Jenn