How can we convince our son's grandparents to stop feeding him sugary snacks?

You may want to discuss your views on your child's diet with the grandparents and propose alternate snack choices such as whole-grain crackers, yogurt, applesauce, etc. You can also propose that they pre-portion the snacks to be served or purchase snacks that already come pre-portioned. Hopefully they will be understanding about your requests regarding your kid's nutrition.

Feeding your child a nutritious diet not only promotes proper growth but also teaches him good dietary habits. As a result, it is important for children to see their parents eating healthfully, because parents are such valuable role models for their children. Lead by example and choose a variety of nutritious foods for yourself and hopefully your child will do the same when he is away from home.

It is also beneficial to educate your child on the need for nutritious foods for good health and to teach him moderation. One way to teach children (even at a young age) how to control portions is by allowing them to help prepare their own snacks in small zipper serving bags. Incorporating regularly-scheduled meals and snacks can be another good tool. That way, when you visit family members, your child will not be as eager to consume other foods.