Page 5 | Who gives a 16 month old chocolate every day?

456FTMCoffeeDiet · 2025-10-29T15:27:02+00:00

Just read a recent government statistic that HALF of toddlers in the UK between 16 and 18 months old get a treat *daily* (i.e. chocolate, ice cream, crisps, cake). WTF? Who does that? I have every sympathy re weaning and feeding toddlers, my toddler has dairy, egg and a few other random allergies so my head is about to explode trying to cook food and snacks for him every day. It's a gigantic pain and source of stress. And I have nothing against an ocasional treat. But cake and ice cream *daily* when they're under 2? I get there will be a small number of very fussy eaters and you just need to give them some calories ? But that doesn't explain half of toddlers, no way. Anyone here who does this, why do you do it? AIBU to be shocked?

MossAndLeaves · 29/10/2025 16:19

MyDogHumpsThings · 29/10/2025 15:34

I didn’t give my daughter any chocolate, cake or crisps until she was 3 and had seen other children eating them in playgroup. I don’t understand why anyone would give sweets to a small child. They don’t miss what they’ve never had and it gives them a chance to develop a palette for actual food.

I’m sure I’ll be called a sanctimonious cow for that, but my child has never had a tooth cavity and has always eaten proper food. I admit I might have been lucky, but I would like to claim one parenting win because god knows I made mistakes elsewhere!

I assume she's your first? If you have another they don't take long to notice that a sibling is eating something they seem to be enjoying!

ACR7 · 29/10/2025 16:19

You sound abit superior and sanctimonious. Oh call social services because I gave my 16month old a bite of my Victoria sponge or a lick of my ice cream. There’s a world of difference between shoving crap and junk into your toddler and letting the have a bite of something. Even if daily

Bambamhoohoo · 29/10/2025 16:18

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Avie29 · 29/10/2025 16:17

My little girl is 22 months old and has just had a chocolate chip mini muffin as a snack BUT she also eats pretty much every kind of fruit (except kiwi) she also eats all her veg before bothering with anything else on her plate (even brussel sprouts) but heaven fobid she has a chocolate chip mini muffin 🤦🏻‍♀️ none of my children are fussy eaters, they all eat fruit and veg daily so a bit of chocolate every now n then is fine imo xx

LivelyViper · 29/10/2025 16:16

LadyGreyjoy · 29/10/2025 15:59

I have a really bad relationship with food. I was raised on junk food, if I was upset I was given sweets. If I did well at school we celebrated with cake. As an adult I'm overweight and have been since I was 10, I'm stuck in a constant cycle of weight watchers, slimming world. I cannot tolerate healthy food, I really try because I want to enjoy healthy food but the textures turn my stomach because I was never exposed to them as a child and I have the palette of a five year old. I keep trying but because I can't make myself like the food I can't stick to it. Id I'm sad- food, if I'm celebrating - food, special occasion - more food!!! I was anorexic for three years because I couldn't stand it anymore and I watched my mum diet for thirty years whilst still eating crap because she couldn't cook. After I got better it was straight back to junk food because it's all I can enjoy eating. I literally cannot have a healthy relationship with food. My mum did that to me.

I will not have it for my daughter. She was weaned on vegetables, snacks on fruit and berries. My mum thinks it's shocking she's never eaten a jar of baby food because that's all she fed me until I was 2. It shows. "Gosh I can't believe she eats all this variety of fresh fruit and vegetables! You would never eat that when you were a toddler!" Did you give it to me mum "no... Not until you were older and then you wouldn't eat it". No shit Sherlock!!! The "their kids just give them chicken nuggets" attitude is the unhealthy mind set that fucks them and their relationship with food for life. Not weaning them on vegetables and actually following the health guidance given by dieticians FFS.

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Do you not think through your daughter you can eat better? As in as she gets older only buying more veg, eating fruit not chocolate cooking well seasoned and broad meals, and by doing that and eating the same as her you can slowly get more used to that food. Also there are good therapists etc for this, and sometimes it's a little like ERP which can be useful, it's used for OCD but ti's about alow exposure, some of the methods you might find helpful.

Also your mother sounds like she never gave you anything else, that is different to giving your child a treat here and then. Balance is key and you don't want her to think all x foods are bad either or feel guilty if she eats them etc.

But also I think more definition on a treat is needed, as some people might consider flapjacks or fruit and yoghurt a treat, so it's hopefully a lower number that's actually sweets etc. Apologies seen that OP has defined this, so that doesn't matter. I think the daily thing is the worse part, okay once a while (even thought it's not needed at all at age and can be easily controlled) but why on earth every day.

LadyGreyjoy · 29/10/2025 16:16

Bambamhoohoo · 29/10/2025 16:13

I think it’s really common for children to have a traditional hot lunch and cake and custard style pudding in the uk. It’s replicated in school dinners as well as nursery. They need calories at that age.

they are usuallly made without sugar, but would still count as a treat.

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It is really common. It's not healthy. That's why our health and weight problems are so common and some of the worst in the world. This attitude to food is not healthy and is harming children, the NHS are trying to educate parents and they just ignore it because giving your kids shit food and cake and custard for lunch daily is 'normal'.

Children are being failed.

MyDogHumpsThings · 29/10/2025 16:16

Roundaboot · 29/10/2025 15:54

@MyDogHumpsThings How old is your child?

21 now!

Bambamhoohoo · 29/10/2025 16:15

LadyGreyjoy · 29/10/2025 16:13

You don't seem to know what a lot of posters are saying 😂

You posted information about how children don't need salt and it causes high blood pressure and a preference for salt and claimed it wasn't proving my point that babies aren't supposed to have salt! 😂

I think you're confused.

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nice try again.

maybe stick “adding salt to food” into Chat GPT and see if it can explain to you what that means.

if you want to get back on the topic of how not to fuck up your kids attitude to food, I’m here to discuss.

FuzzyWolf · 29/10/2025 16:15

I think a lot of parents toilet train their children with chocolate buttons as well or give treats to get medicine down them. It obviously doesn’t account for all of the children who get treats, but it would explain some of them.

LadyGreyjoy · 29/10/2025 16:13

Bambamhoohoo · 29/10/2025 16:10

I don’t really know what you’re saying. You obviously know nothing about the teenage mental health of some random fat kids at playgroup.

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You don't seem to know what a lot of posters are saying 😂

You posted information about how children don't need salt and it causes high blood pressure and a preference for salt and claimed it wasn't proving my point that babies aren't supposed to have salt! 😂

I think you're confused.

Bambamhoohoo · 29/10/2025 16:13

FuzzyWolf · 29/10/2025 16:11

£28k per year nursery here and they all get pudding everyday. Child has left now but we were told the menu complied with government’s recommended diet for the age.

They definitely gave them homemade cake and ice cream (made from frozen bananas) though.

It’s very hard based on your list of food to know if it’s appropriate or not because it doesn’t contain the ingredients and cake or ice cream does automatically need to be as unhealthy as it can be, whilst some parents give their children huge amount of sugar from fruit.

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I think it’s really common for children to have a traditional hot lunch and cake and custard style pudding in the uk. It’s replicated in school dinners as well as nursery. They need calories at that age.

they are usuallly made without sugar, but would still count as a treat.

FuzzyWolf · 29/10/2025 16:11

456FTMCoffeeDiet · 29/10/2025 15:46

Interesting, mine doesn't go to nursery. I'd be pretty appalled to pay 30k a year to find out my toddler gets chocolate every day. And homemade pudding is still full of sugar. Completely unnecessary.

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£28k per year nursery here and they all get pudding everyday. Child has left now but we were told the menu complied with government’s recommended diet for the age.

They definitely gave them homemade cake and ice cream (made from frozen bananas) though.

It’s very hard based on your list of food to know if it’s appropriate or not because it doesn’t contain the ingredients and cake or ice cream does automatically need to be as unhealthy as it can be, whilst some parents give their children huge amount of sugar from fruit.

LadyGreyjoy · 29/10/2025 16:11

Bambamhoohoo · 29/10/2025 16:04

nhs guidance on salt:

Salt
There's no need to add salt to your child's food. Most foods already contain enough salt.
Too much salt can give your child a taste for salty foods and contribute to high blood pressure in later life.
Your whole family will benefit if you gradually reduce the amount of salt in your cooking. Try to limit the amount of salty foods your child has, and always check food labels.

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Btw this is the relevant advice you should be sharing. https://www.nhs.uk/baby/weaning-and-feeding/foods-to-avoid-giving-babies-and-young-children/

Babies should not eat much salt, as it's not good for their kidneys.

Do not add salt to your baby's food or cooking water, and do not use stock cubes or gravy, as they're often high in salt.

Remember this when you're cooking for the family if you plan to give the same food to your baby.

Avoid salty foods like:

bacon
sausages
chips with added salt
crackers
crisps
ready meals
takeaways
Sugar
Your baby does not need sugar.

By avoiding sugary snacks and drinks (including fruit juice and other fruit drinks), you'll help prevent tooth decay.

Foods to avoid giving babies and young children

Find out what foods to avoid giving babies and young children, including salt, sugar, saturated fat, nuts and eggs.

https://www.nhs.uk/baby/weaning-and-feeding/foods-to-avoid-giving-babies-and-young-children

Bambamhoohoo · 29/10/2025 16:10

zazazaaar · 29/10/2025 16:06

Really? I've got three teenagers and I would say out of their friends.The ones that are the most damaged mentally and physically are the ones that are also overweight.
I went to playgroups with loads of these kids, and their parents often gave them a little treat here and their and late teens, a lot of them are very overweight. Not all but all of the ones that are, are the same parents? The thought I was a knob for giving my kids blueberries rather than chocolate buttons.

As they got older they obviously ate more sweets and crap but at 16 months they can easily not have any.

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I don’t really know what you’re saying. You obviously know nothing about the teenage mental health of some random fat kids at playgroup.

Newsenmum · 29/10/2025 16:10

With my first I was so strict but then nursery happened. They always gave cake for pudding when a child had a birthday which seemed to be every other day in autumn and now he’s hooked. He has very healthy meals although limited so we do allow one chocolate treat a day. Unfortunately my second child is a very picky toddler is already trying to copy. :(

Original poster

456FTMCoffeeDiet · 29/10/2025 16:09

nellly · 29/10/2025 16:06

See this depends on the wording of the question to my mind!! It doesn’t say they’re given chocolate everyday it says a ‘treat’ and I gave mine a treat everyday but things like a low sugar biscuit. Home made flapjack made with banana and peanut butter etc, as they got older incorporated things like yoghurt raisins. So I would have answered yes to the question but certainly wasn’t giving chocolate at all under 2 and not even close to daily lol

The question given described treat as chocolate, crisps, ice cream or sweets!

OP posts:

Bambamhoohoo · 29/10/2025 16:09

LadyGreyjoy · 29/10/2025 16:07

You're proving my point for me.

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Nice try 😂 we can all read your posts, you know.

Newsenmum · 29/10/2025 16:08

Im guessing it’s a lot of younger siblings and tbh like others have said, most people in this country have daily treats and kids want exactly what we have.

Bambamhoohoo · 29/10/2025 16:08

LadyGreyjoy · 29/10/2025 16:05

I am following scientific and health service given guidance. Feeding my toddler food which is not out of a packet or jar, no added salt and sugar until she is older(not never obviously) and we soothe upsets with non food stuffs and celebrate achievements with toys not food. All were doing is following the advice given by professionals who actually know what they're talking about.

The fact that you think that is extreme is an example of how much society has normalised shit diets. The fact that 2/3 adults are obese and childhood obesity is the highest it's ever been really doesn't suggest the laissez-faire approach you think we should all adopt is working. Why aren't you questioning yourself and why you think you know better than scientists,. dieticians and doctors?

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I follow the NHs guidence but of course, being a mentally healthy independent person,

I Don’t live by them ie if the guidances said never give my child a cake (they don’t), I would indeed ignore it on the occasion i felt they could have a bit of cake.

that’s normal, healthy behaviour and sets a normal, healthy example to your child.

Original poster

456FTMCoffeeDiet · 29/10/2025 16:08

SummerInSun · 29/10/2025 15:56

But what does ”treat” mean? At that age my toddlers would have had strawberry yoghurt, or a homemade muffin with virtually no sugar, or even stewed fruit, as a treat. So if I was asked that survey question I would have said “yes of course they get treats” but that would NOT have meant chocolate or crisps.

Edited

@SummerInSun treat was described in the question as: chocolate, sweets, crisps or ice cream. So you would have said "no".

OP posts:

Viol3tta · 29/10/2025 16:07

middleagedandinarage · 29/10/2025 15:52

wow at nursery, I would not be happy with this!

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I’m not! We can’t send in food either. I kicked up a big fuss about it when she started and it’s slightly better now, but still generally at least one food with added sugar (cake, cookie, yoghurt) a day.

LadyGreyjoy · 29/10/2025 16:07

Bambamhoohoo · 29/10/2025 16:04

nhs guidance on salt:

Salt
There's no need to add salt to your child's food. Most foods already contain enough salt.
Too much salt can give your child a taste for salty foods and contribute to high blood pressure in later life.
Your whole family will benefit if you gradually reduce the amount of salt in your cooking. Try to limit the amount of salty foods your child has, and always check food labels.

Show quote history

You're proving my point for me.

zazazaaar · 29/10/2025 16:06

Bambamhoohoo · 29/10/2025 16:02

Damage to their mental health, obviously.

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Really? I've got three teenagers and I would say out of their friends.The ones that are the most damaged mentally and physically are the ones that are also overweight.
I went to playgroups with loads of these kids, and their parents often gave them a little treat here and their and late teens, a lot of them are very overweight. Not all but all of the ones that are, are the same parents? The thought I was a knob for giving my kids blueberries rather than chocolate buttons.

As they got older they obviously ate more sweets and crap but at 16 months they can easily not have any.

nellly · 29/10/2025 16:06

See this depends on the wording of the question to my mind!! It doesn’t say they’re given chocolate everyday it says a ‘treat’ and I gave mine a treat everyday but things like a low sugar biscuit. Home made flapjack made with banana and peanut butter etc, as they got older incorporated things like yoghurt raisins. So I would have answered yes to the question but certainly wasn’t giving chocolate at all under 2 and not even close to daily lol

LeaderBee · 29/10/2025 16:05

And here I was thinking that some poor sod out there had been getting 16 month out of date old chocolate given to them once a day by their mate.