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Kids' willpower is no match for fast food and screens. Try this instead (NPR)
https://www.npr.org/2026/03/09/nx-s1-5736553/fast-food-screens-kids-health-snip-
But in the early 2010s, psychologists decided to stop relying on surveys and, instead, study what people do in real life to meet their long-term goals. These studies revealed a surprise, Inzlicht says. The more successful people didn't have better willpower compared to those who were less successful. Instead, successful people set up their lives so they didn't need to use willpower frequently. They exposed themselves to fewer temptations.
-snip-
"For example, parents can teach kids to leave their phone in another room when they're studying," Wood says, or to use apps that block distracting websites and games. They can teach kids how to keep sweets and ultra-processed foods out of the house and out of their backpack or car. In other words, parents can create times and places in children's life where distractions or temptations aren't an option at all — and show them how they can implement this strategy themselves.
-snip-
To shape their preferences, she says, give your kids oodles of opportunities to experience the pleasure of these healthy options. For example, Wood wanted to teach her kids to love reading. So she kept books in the car and her purse. "I like to eat out at nice restaurants, and I would take my kids along." While waiting at the restaurant, the only option they had was to read. And so they built a habit of reading. "Today my kids are still wild readers."
Finally, Carleton University's Marina Milyavskaya says, pay attention to how you talk about healthy foods and activities. Don't present them as burdens, sacrifices or punishments. Instead, focus on how good these foods taste or how fun an activity offline is. Studies have found that our language shapes our preference for foods, as well as how much we eat them.
-snip-
But in the early 2010s, psychologists decided to stop relying on surveys and, instead, study what people do in real life to meet their long-term goals. These studies revealed a surprise, Inzlicht says. The more successful people didn't have better willpower compared to those who were less successful. Instead, successful people set up their lives so they didn't need to use willpower frequently. They exposed themselves to fewer temptations.
-snip-
"For example, parents can teach kids to leave their phone in another room when they're studying," Wood says, or to use apps that block distracting websites and games. They can teach kids how to keep sweets and ultra-processed foods out of the house and out of their backpack or car. In other words, parents can create times and places in children's life where distractions or temptations aren't an option at all — and show them how they can implement this strategy themselves.
-snip-
To shape their preferences, she says, give your kids oodles of opportunities to experience the pleasure of these healthy options. For example, Wood wanted to teach her kids to love reading. So she kept books in the car and her purse. "I like to eat out at nice restaurants, and I would take my kids along." While waiting at the restaurant, the only option they had was to read. And so they built a habit of reading. "Today my kids are still wild readers."
Finally, Carleton University's Marina Milyavskaya says, pay attention to how you talk about healthy foods and activities. Don't present them as burdens, sacrifices or punishments. Instead, focus on how good these foods taste or how fun an activity offline is. Studies have found that our language shapes our preference for foods, as well as how much we eat them.
-snip-
This goes for adults, too, of course. Our subconscious picks up and reinforces messages we give ourselves. And most of us have some if not complete control over the foods in our homes.
I rarely buy candy, because I know when I do, I'm likely to binge on it. I avoid the candy aisles in stores so I'm not as tempted. Unfortunately Atkins Endulge candies are near the end of the aisle I walk past when shopping in the meat department, and the other day I couldn't help noticing that their coconut and dark chocolate bars were on sale. I made the mistake of stopping. Made the further mistake of picking up a box of 5 bars. Told myself I probably did have enough willpower to have one only occasionally, or maybe I could just cut off a quarter of a bar at a time. Ha. ATM there's one bar left of the 5. I would not bet on it still being here tomorrow.
Because, as that article says, willpower isn't as effective as not making willpower necessary in the first place...
4 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
And you only bought one box? Are you joking? 
Enjoy! 
