to stop letting my son have sweets

[hiddengems]

DS1 is 10. He's always been on the energetic side and a little whirlwind.

We've ummed and ahhed at times about ADHD but never had him assessed and have always felt he's just a boy who needs a lot of exercise.

As he is getting older his behaviour seems to be more erratic. Sometimes he's fine but other times he's bouncing off the walls. He is terrible when he's tired or hungry.

I think sugar might be an issue. He has always eaten a lot as he's always been so active, and although he has 3 good meals a day he probably has lots of other snacks in between. Often fruit but also toast, fruit loaf etc.

Grandparents are also always giving him sweets and he's old enough to spend his own money. Today he went to the shop with a friend and they came back with a massive bag of haribo.

I've noticed his behaviour after sweets is particularly hyper - he reminds me of my friends in the 90s when they took pills or coke on a night out!

I've read that sugar has absolutely no effect on behaviour. Also I don't want to feel like he's being punished by not being allowed puddings or sweets.

However, I also don't want to make excuses for what could be just bad behaviour.

DC2 does not have the same issues and has exactly the same diet.

Do you think it makes a difference?

[hiddengems]

That's a good idea.

My worry is that as he gets older, he wants to do less and less so, although he really needs to burn off energy, he refused to come for a run/bike ride etc.

[TiredOfSleep]

Sometimes it's the E numbers rather than the actual sugar that causes the erratic behaviour.

[hiddengems]

Nah, he couldn't give a shit

[Bluecarrot]

My dd (2) is like a loon after whippy ice cream.
My dd1 (13) has ADD and will become v short tempered and violent after some junk foods but I put it down to additives rather than sugar.
Check the E numbers in things you think he's hyper after.

[GeoffreysGoat]

My 3yo is a nightmare on artificial sweeteners - goes from a mostly sweet, loving, trying to behave cutie to a nightmare of lashing out tantrums, obsessive behaviour, emotional ball if mood swings

They give me insomnia and headaches, and my dad gets heart flutters if we have them. Maybe cut out anything "no added sugar" like squash and soft drinks first as a gentler option?

[hiddengems]

We've always been careful with those.

He only drinks water in the house and doesn't really like fizzy drinks. Sometimes he'll buy Vimto but only in wide open spaces.

[Helennn]

Agree with Geoffrey re aspartame. Also found in no added sugar calpol, bisto gravy browning etc etc. It's not just the obvious things such as sweets.

[hiddengems]

Will keep my eyes peeled.

I have so much angst about separating out what is down to parenting, diet/lifestyle, or just his personality.

He is who he is and I don't want to change him - but I would if it could be achieved by banning haribo