Many people feel overwhelmed by the diet and nutrition information that abounds in type and online. If you are always trying to lose weight this time of year–let’s all get ready for summer!–then you have probably tried many different weight-loss plans over the years. How about your kids? Have some of your diet successes and failures trickled down to them?

You know showing your children how to eat healthy is necessary, but buying fresh fruit for a change is only a part of it. Many children, both boys and girls, begin developing food issues, and they can be related to how parents behave around food. For instance, “grazing,” or eating throughout the day, is something many of us do. Unfortunately, it can be bad for your teeth, which in turn, can be detrimental to your overall health. Grazing has been linked to  both gum disease and weight gain. And gum disease has been linked to cardiac and other systemic illnesses.

Flossing and brushing your teeth is the only way to stop gum disease. Since children learn by example, instead of eating throughout the day, try to limit food intake to three meals and two healthy snacks per day. Your body will thank you for it.