Devil-Horned Ice Cream Truck ;)

I've been through it, and many of you struggle with it every day for about 3 months of the year...the ice cream truck.

It shows up at every park and knows just when you'll be there. It rarely offers healthy options and often makes us "the mean parent" if we say no to the wonderful ice cream truck that kids nationwide get so excited to see.

So what is a parent to do?

Well, first, we can say no and/or offer a healthy alternative we have brought to the park or can get afterwards. This allows a child to learn that they can not have everything they want AND that sugary items should be limited to allow optimum health.

Second, we can look for the as a treat for the child. There are yogurt trucks in Manhattan that offer frozen yogurt with nutritious toppings like berries and nuts. But for most, ice cream trucks offer the "worst" options right in the middle, where our eyes go first. But if you look to the sides, you might see some better choices. For instance, the less sugary fruit pops are a good choice (strawberry, pineapple, coconut).

So excited to get this pineapple frozen treat - NOT artificially flavored but real fruit instead.

What do you do when you see the ice cream truck?