Fresh fruit is a good snack. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. As a parent, you could teach your child that some foods are good and some are bad, that eating is something people need to do but is not fun, that eating is the greatest fulfillment any human being could experience, or that food can solve many problems. Some values are explained to children, but more are learned by observation. Even before they understand many words, children can imitate the actions of their parents.
Actions carry more power than words.
While words are abstract and are merely heard, actions are concrete and can be experienced by all the senses. Parents' actions are guided by their values, although they are not always aware of them. Confusion can arise when actions and words conflict with each other. For example, if you tell your child that he may not have any snacks because it is too close to mealtime, but you get yourself something to drink and nibble on as you prepare supper, your child may get confused. Becoming aware of your values about food and observing your own actions more closely may help to reduce the confusion.