Unhealthy nutrition early on might mean problems later

DEAR AMY >> Iam grandmother to two boys, ages one and three.

My daughter, who is slightly overweight, feeds them foods high in sugar, i.e. donuts, pancakes with syrup, muffins, etc., for breakfast. She provides dessert after every meal.

I have noticed that the boys are now requesting desserts, candy, etc., often during the day and while eating a meal. There is obesity in my and my son-in-law’s family.

Is there anything I can do/say besides providing healthier choices when I am watching them (I watch them twice a week).

— Worried Grandma

DEAR WORRIED >> You and your daughter are part-time partners in raising these young boys, and if you work together, you can establish good eating habits and patterns that will have a healthy impact on the whole family. With the family history of obesity that you relate, these children are vulnerable.

You should be understanding, respectful, and frank with your daughter concerning what you are seeing when the boys are with you. There are easy ways to reset eating habits with young children, by offering them healthy snacks, foods like hummus and yogurt to dip and slurp, fruit for “dessert,” and by having them “help” at meal time.

It is never too early (or late) to introduce healthier practices at home, but remember to never criticize their mother’s choices while the children are at your home.

A book you should consider having in your kitchen is, “Raising a Healthy, Happy Eater: A Parent’s Handbook: A Stage-by-Stage Guide to Setting Your Child on the Path to Adventurous Eating,” by Dr. Nimali Fernando and Melanie Potock (2015, The Experiment).

I am also a fan of The Berenstain Bears books. These fun, easy and colorful books gently convey important value-based lessons to children, and are perfect to share with a 3-year-old.

Your grandsons might enjoy “The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food,” by Stan and Jan Berenstain (1985, Random House). Look for it while you’re at your local library’s story time.