So this is an offshoot to two other threads - the one about kids and diets and the one about discarding food. Together, they made me think about the message I send to my son on this issue (he's almost 6). I try to distinguish between the healthy food that makes us big and strong and the treats we get to enjoy but just some of the time. And if he asks for a treat before he's finished his meal, one line I find myself saying a lot is that if his tummy is too full for chicken, apple, cheese, etc, then it must be too full for a cookie, etc.
So even though I'm not sure I've ever specifically told him to clean his plate, that kind of ends up being the result - he'll quickly wolf down whatever is left of his meal and say he's eaten the healthy food and can he have a treat now.
In my case, my concerns with my son are a little different than some because at least as of now, his weight "problem" is that he's underweight (but not dangerously so). So I'm fairly free handed with treats - as long as he's eaten the healthy meal and gotten sufficient nutrients, he can use the extra calories in the treats (and no, I don't consider fruit a treat for him, that's a standard part of his meal). But I definitely don't want to be sending the "clean your plate" message either, because I know that can be detrimental to weight loss/maintaining a healthy weight. I can't assume he will stay underweight forever so I want to try to help build good habits for him.
Just curious about what others think and do in this regard?