How to raise kids with healthy relationship with food?

I realize I'm getting myself into a very controversial discussion here, but I would really love to hear what others think about the topic of children and food.

This post idea was born in my head during one of our recent visits to an amusement park. There is an amusement park on the Santa Cruz boardwalk that we sometimes bring our daughter to. The first time we went there I got so disturbed by the amount of unhealthy food offerings in the park that I couldn't stop talking or thinking about it for a while. A couple of weeks ago we had our friends visiting and we took them to that park again. And they had the same reaction. Unfortunately, this place is not an exception, but more of a rule, even in such a food and nutrition conscious region as San Francisco and the Bay area.

Everything fried, please

First of all, I realized that there were probably more food stands in the park than rides and attractions. Secondly, out of about 100 food vendors operating there I noticed only a handful that sold fresh fruit cups and a couple of fruit smoothie stands (but whether or not they were made from real fruit was not clear). And the healthiest savory food option I saw there was a burrito.  The rest of the food offerings included all imaginable and unimaginable fried foods and other food items that had minimal or zero nutritional value. Fried Oreo, fried Twinkies, all sorts of potato chips, fries, hot dogs, ice cream, cotton candy - just to name a few.

Why are we surprised about increased obesity and kids eating unhealthy? Why do our kids have to have all these unhealthy food offerings right in their face? I understand the concept of teaching our children to make healthy choices. But when the ratio of healthy to unhealthy food offerings is about 95 to 5, it is not a fair game anymore. And, of course, as someone who majored in Economics, I understand that there is a business rationale behind this. Places like this attraction park and the food vendors are making much higher margins on these foods compared to some healthier options, accompanied by higher demands.

Carrots and celery sticks - is it a solution?

So I got into discussion with a couple of friends on this topic. Specifically, what can be done to change this? Imagine it was possible to regulate all of the food offerings and replace all the unhealthy food options (or most) with fruits, vegetables, healthy snacks, fresh fruit juices instead of soda, etc. Would that be enough?

Some would say that a lot of people who go to those parks won't buy it. Is it true, though? Parents would still bring their kids to the parks because the kids want that entertainment. So won't these same parents buy healthier snacks when their kids are hungry? I guess, if the kids are indeed hungry they would eat the healthier foods. However, most of the times kids ask for those sugary foods not because they are hungry, but because they see it and they want it. It's an unconscious reaction that we often interpret as hunger. If these kids are offered carrots or celery sticks instead at that same moment, they all of a sudden are no longer hungry. Sounds familiar? 

Chicken and egg

Do people make unhealthy food choices because all these unhealthy foods are always in their face? Or do unhealthy food offerings dominate in the public places because that's what people want and they won't buy much otherwise?

Does that mean that before replacing french fries, fried oreos and ice creams with carrot and celery sticks and healthy granola bars we need to educate people about nutrition and its impact on their lives? Do we need to change people's eating habits first? If yes, how? Through school educational programs? Food and nutrition themed events for kids? Nutrition programs and events for parents?

My personal approach to food

Don't take me wrong - I'm not a supporter of a full elimination approach. I don't cut out sugar, fast food and some other not so nutritious foods from my toddler daughter's diet completely. I know quite some stories when kids who were denied any sweets or fast food either sneakily indulged on it as soon as no one was watching or developed unhealthy food relationships, overeating, etc. later on. I don't want my daughter to have that "forbidden fruit" and always feel bad when she sees all these foods in front of her in public places. 

I choose moderation for my daughter. She eats ice cream, French fries or chips occasionally, mainly when we are out or traveling. But she knows that is something that she only eats on certain occasions and she deosn't ask for it all the time. At home, she eats pasta or potatoes sometimes, but it's always accompanied by some fresh or cooked vegetables, proteins and a serving of fresh fruit. I just wish that she and all other kids had many more nutritious and healthy food and snack options outside of their home environment, as well.

I do believe in moderation. I have started changing my own and my family's eating habits a while ago by learning more about nutrition and healthy food choices, eating more home cooked meals and opting for wholesome nutritious ingredients for myself and my family members. But I also believe that taste for some healthy foods is an acquired taste. You can teach yourself and your kids to like greens, wholewheat instead of white bread, brown instead of white rice, sugar-free instead of sugar -loaded desserts, etc. And I can tell based on my family's experience that it's truly the case.

I am happy to see that my approach works in my family. I'm glad that my daughter, for example, doesn't throw a tantrum when she sees ice cream or French fries but doesn't get it. But it doens't stop me from wondering how to make it work on a societal level. How do we make more and more kids aware of how to make healthy food choices and develop healthy relationship with food?

What are your thoughts on this? What needs to change first when it comes to food - habits or policy?