My kids, eat and stop eating per their hunger cues. They know when they are full and when they are hungry.
They know that. I taught them that. I never 'made' them eat or made them eat their whole plate, just because they had to or had 'rules' like that. And I never punished them over eating or over food.
They do not eat out of emotion or just because.
They eat per their body's cues.
That is the healthiest way to eat for anyone.
Thus I don't worry that my kids will get over weight.
We don't have much junk in our house. We have food. We don't fixate on food or eating. Sure we may have chips. But its whole grain chips. And we may have some chocolate in the house. But my kids never go crazy about it, even if they do like sweets. Most kids do. They always ask first. We don't have ice cream in our house as a matter of routine. It is only sometimes.
We have juice. But juice that does not have corn syrup in it etc.
But my kids don't only drink juice. They drink water too and milk.
We don't use food as a "reward" or punishment.
We also let our kids snack. Kids need to. Most kids are grazers. My Husband is too. They don't eat a TON at each sitting. Only until they are full. Fine. I don't put a clock on them to eat according to.
But we all eat at meal times together.
It is about balance.
About teaching a child about their body's cues for hunger and fullness.
So that... THEY can moderate themselves.
We don't let our kids drink soda. But if they are out at a party or something, they can have sips from us.
It is about balance. And it is not a daily habit.
We are not soda drinkers ourselves. So we don't have it in the house. Only if we have guests etc.
I don't make food or snacks a forbidden thing to my kids.
Junk food or not, snacks or not, regular food or not, my kids don't go overboard. It is just food. They eat when hungry and stop when full. They don't gorge.
And sure, they know what "junk" food is. They can have it but it is not everyday nor a habit.
A house has food, per what the parents buy.
Thus, you fill it with what you want or need or think is best.
Me and my Husband are not junk food snackers or eaters, and so whatever we have in the house reflects that.
But we also do have fun snacks that are fine. And for treats. But not all the time.
My kids are not forbidden to eat stuff at parties. Or at home. But they ask first. I don't worry because we don't have a lot of junk food at home. And my kids can moderate themselves.
My kids are lean and tall and totally fine per growth/weight per their Pediatrician.