Snack Attack Report

I began the Snack Attack Experiment a few days ago, and the experiment may be squelched before it has a chance to show its merits (should it have any, that is).  DH is having misgivings.


At first he thought it was a good idea and was for it.  Now, he wonders, "How will we know it's not working?  When will we know?  And, will there be irreparable damage if the experiment produces kids hooked on junk and fat?"  This experiment goes against all ingrained common sense, and he doesn't want to experiment on his kids.


Fair enough.  I get it.  I'm discouraged at the same time because I did have some hope.  Here's some data from the past few days:


My 5 y.o.:
5/8 of his granola bars remain
Almost all of his MMs remain
Dorito bag is almost full (and he sweetly shares a few with his brother and friend)
He hardly goes to the stash -- maybe he forgets it's there -- and asks for milk, fig bars, or a nectarine, instead.


My 10 y.o.:
6/8 of her granola bars remain (I pack them into her lunch box)
1/4 of her MMs remain (she likes those)
Dorito bag is UNopened -- she said she's not in the mood for them.
She asks me for oranges and grapefruit.


My 11 y.o.:
0/8 granola bars remain (GONE after day 2)
2 measly MMs remain after day 2 (started with 7 oz)
1/4 bag of Doritos remain


Yes, I'm concerned about my 11 y.o.  Is he "over-eating," or is he a growing boy with an insatiable appetite that ideally should be filled with power/real food but isn't always?


I expect this experiment to have a period of adjustment where the play treats are a novelty for a week or two and then lose their savor.  I think it's too soon to stop it.  I'll see if I can talk DH into giving it a month.


Do you know what I wish?  I wish this was an ideal world where bottomless pits of trash food didn't exist.  I wish only wholesome goods were provided at grocery stores, church functions, potlucks, and parties.  No such luck.  Instead, I have to help my kids deal with the real world where unreal foods are abundant.  I want them to learn that the play food is no big deal and nothing to go crazy about, and that real foods are so much better.  I don't want them to be ashamed for snacking on play food (hiding in a closet and thinking, "Oh, I shouldn't be eating this.  This is so bad.  I'm bad.  I can't stop.I better eat this until it's gone.")


Another reason I want to give it month is to also see how I do with the experiment (but, yeah, I shouldn't do it at the kids' expense).  My bag of MMs are still there as well as an unopened bag of Doritos, and I have no desired to sneak into their stash.  So far, so good.  I wonder if that will change with hormonal fluctuations, lack of sleep, etc.