5 Tips to Avoid Deceptive Marketing Tactics Making Your Kids Crave Junk Food
Deceptive Marketing Tricks
Today’s food marketing is everywhere, targeting even our youngest kids with bright packaging, social media influencers, games, and their favourite cartoon characters.
For Aussie parents dedicated to raising healthy eaters, it’s overwhelming to sift through “kid-friendly” foods that are often ultra-processed and packed with sugar, salt, and artificial additives. These marketing tactics actively work against parents’ best intentions to protect their children’s health, as it seems manufacturers ignore the clear links between ultra-processed foods and serious health issues like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and increased risk for numerous cancers.
Let’s explore how we can protect our kids from their deceptive tactics.
Practical Tips for Reducing Kids’ Exposure to Deceptive Food Marketing
Many parents are time-poor and its’s impossible to make everything from scratch. So, here are some top strategies to help you avoid food marketing traps, along with simple swaps for healthier alternatives. Remember, it’s all about balance and finding a solution that works for you and your family.
1. Avoid Packaging with Colourful Cartoon Characters
Characters like Bluey, Paw Patrol, and Elsa from Frozen aren’t just screen favourites; they’ve become trusted “friends” to young children, creating strong emotional bonds. Food manufacturers know that featuring these characters on packaging tempts kids into choosing—and craving—ultra-processed foods, regardless of their nutritional value. I recommend avoiding brightly packaged “kids’ foods” from an early age. If it’s never introduced, kids won’t miss it!
Swap: Choose natural snacks like apple slices, veggie sticks, popcorn, roasted chickpeas, seaweed, wholegrain crackers, cheese, natural yoghurt and put them in a fun reusable container that kids can decorate. This swap is better for the environment, and your kids will still enjoy it without the marketing hype.
2. Focus on Family Foods Over “Kiddie” Products
Many companies try to convince parents that kids need their own “special” foods, but the best way to encourage healthy eating is for everyone to enjoy the same family foods. From as early as eight months, babies can start to eat a variety of family foods, and by the toddler years, everyone should be eating similar meals with only slight variations if needed.
Swap: Instead of “kiddie” pasta with character shapes, serve wholegrain pasta with family-friendly toppings like bolognese, homemade pesto, or veggie-loaded tomato sauce. This keeps mealtime consistent for everyone and avoids expensive single-serve packaging.
3. Buy in Larger Sizes and Decant into Containers
Buy in Larger Sizes and Decant into Containers
Instead of single-serve packs—which often feature bright packaging—buy larger sizes of healthy foods and decant them into child-friendly containers. This helps reduce exposure to marketing, control portions, and reduce waste. Plus, family-sized options are usually more economical and healthier than “kids’” single-serving packages.
Swap: Instead of buying single-serve yoghurts with added sugar, buy a large tub of plain, unsweetened yoghurt and portion it into small containers. Add fresh berries or a drizzle of honey for natural sweetness, and let kids decorate their containers for added appeal. Bonus: freeze overnight and place in the lunchbox. This will keep food cold and offer a slushie yoghurt dessert in time for recess.
4. Skip Products Marketed as “Lunchbox-Friendly”
This one can be tough, but “lunchbox-friendly” is often just marketing hype. The only feature that should define “lunchbox-friendly” is that the product is nut-free. Many so-called lunchbox-friendly versions contain more sugar than the regular versions. A good example is muesli bars—many parents struggle to find nutritious school-friendly muesli bars because most are loaded with sugar and highly processed ingredients.
Swap: Instead of store-bought muesli bars, make a simple batch of my budget-friendly Homemade Oat Bars using real wholefoods. If time is tight, make a double batch and freeze. This will last you for weeks.
5. Teach Food Literacy and Involve Kids in Cooking
When kids learn what goes into their food, they’re less likely to be swayed by bright packaging or popular cartoon characters. Teaching basic food literacy—like how to read ingredients and recognise whole foods—helps kids make better choices and builds a positive relationship with food. Involve them in simple kitchen tasks, such as washing veggies, stirring, or choosing ingredients, and explain the benefits of different foods, like how carrots help with eyesight or oats provide energy.
Swap: Instead of pre-packaged pasta sauces or jarred meals, make a simple tomato-based sauce together with kids. Let them help stir and add veggies like grated carrots or zucchini. This simple swap provides them with hands-on experience and teaches them the value of whole ingredients. Or if you have a fussy eater at home, opt for a sweet snack like my delicious cinnamon cookies, which are perfect for the lunchbox.
Conclusion
Navigating food marketing can feel overwhelming, but with a few simple strategies and swaps, parents can empower their children to make healthier choices. Avoid brightly packaged “kids’ foods,” focus on family meals over “special” kiddie products, buy in bulk and use reusable containers, skip the “lunchbox-friendly” hype, and encourage food literacy by involving kids in cooking. By staying aware of these marketing traps, parents can build a foundation for lifelong healthy eating.
If you’d like to learn more about seeing through the marketing hype and making smarter choices for your family, join my upcoming Smart Shopping Workshop. In this session, you’ll discover how to choose truly nutritious options and avoid the deceptive tactics that food manufacturers use. Don’t miss out on the early bird discount—Sign up now to secure your spot!