Should we Reward our Children with Sugary Food?

Should we Reward our Children with Sugary Food?

It's not unusual for parents to offer their children "special" - and often unhealthy - foods as a reward for good behaviour or achievement.

Equally, if children are bored on a long car journey, or fed up with being in the buggy, it’s tempting to use snack foods to distract them for a little longer.

We’ve all noticed that if children are upset because they have hurt themselves or want something they cannot have, the offer of something sweet helps 'make them feel better.'

Withholding special food treats may also be a punishment. A parent might refuse to serve pudding, for example, if her children have talked back or neglected to tidy their rooms.

But what is the result of using food as a tool to deal with emotions like boredom or sadness or as a punishment? Does it turn children into adults who cannot cope with being bored or upset without a sweet snack?

There certainly isn't any evidence to suggest that occasionally resorting to the biscuit tin will affect children in this way. But what if we do it on

a regular basis? What happens when sweets and biscuits become the major reward in a child’s life?

There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that regularly using food as an emotional distraction or as a reward or punishment for children may be associated with a greater risk of emotional eating.

Using food as a reward can also undermine healthy eating habits.

Giving sweets, crisps, or squash as a reward can lead to children overeating foods that are high in sugar, fat, and empty calories. Worse, it can interfere with the child’s natural ability to regulate their eating, encouraging them to eat when they're not hungry to reward themselves.