Add raisins or other dried fruits to cookie dough instead of chocolate chips or chunks of candy. Use fresh fruit purees with chopped fruits to add natural sweetness to baked goods or low-fat plain yogurt. Substitute bagels and whole-grain breads or muffins for doughnuts, coffee cakes and sweet muffins. Top with low-fat cream cheese instead of jelly or jam. Offer unsweetened fruit juices and avoid soft drinks containing sugar.
Stuff recommends reading juice labels.
Make your own frozen treats by freezing unsweetened fruit juice. Pack lunches with individual servings of unsweetened applesauce or fruit packed in water or light syrup. Devise a plan with your child to limit candy to once or twice a week. Stick to the rule, preferably eaten only at home, so your child can follow by brushing his or her teeth. These guidelines can be used in the battle against high-calorie diets, Stuff said.