At What Age Would You Start to Let Your Kids Eat a Happy Meal?

I think that children need to learn that things like junk food, sweets etc are treats and not something to have all the time. I don't think you should ban them from having it completely as then when they do get the chance to have it they will gorge on it. So you need to teach them about healthy eating and having things like cake, sweets, happy meals in moderation.

With happy meals you can get fruit or veg bags and have water or milk as the drink, so you can make it a little bit healthier.

I think it is difficult to say what the right age is, as it all depends on the child. I think you need to introduce these things gradually, for example a piece of cake on their birthday, show them it is for special occasions.

My daughter is 19 months old and we let her have a happy meal now and again as a treat. She doesnt really eat much though I just try to make her eat as much healthy food as possible and she loves fruit and veg, if she wants some crisps or a bit of cake then i say yes. You can have everything in moderation. I remember when i was young having mcdonalds or a takeaway was a real treat and id get so excited (This was probably restricted due to cost rather than eating healthy) My son is 13 and he doesnt think having mcdonalds or takeawhay once a week is a treat its just normal.

Only if i was buying myself food in there and only for a treat, theres lots of easy ways to get kids eating healthily before school pressures start.

I don't have kids of my own and don't intend to at any time in the foreseeable future (the amount of time I spend comping means that I don't have enough time to bring up a child), but going from experience of what my own parents did with me, I would say that the process of introducing kids to junk food should be a gradual thing and they need to be made aware that junk food should be used as an occasional treat only and that healthier foods should be prioritised. My parents often used to reward me with a bit of junk food for good behaviour, such as doing chores and doing particularly well at school, and I also had it at birthday parties.

Remember that there is no such thing as bad foods. All foods can be eaten in moderation.