Why do people enjoy giving little children junk food?

[Tietheapron]

I am very much in favour of balance in all areas. DS is two. At the moment, we haven’t got a massively fussy stage - there’s a handful of things he doesn’t seem too keen on and I imagine this will probably expand as he gets a bit older before then (hopefully!) getting a bit more variety. So to give an example, on Thursday he had porridge for breakfast and then a rich tea biscuit at a music group we go to in the morning. Then had to go into the bank so he had to go in the pushchair - had a banana to keep him quiet! As a result all he wanted for lunch was maybe half a ham sandwich and a few baby crisps. Then homemade pizza with veg on for tea. I’m explaining this so it’s clear I don’t completely raise him on fruit grown from the garden and eggs from our own chickens.

But then this morning he ate a bowl of shreddies and then DH gave him a biscuit, actually going in the kitchen to get him one (so not like DS found them and hoovered one up.) Visit PIL and they try to ply him with mars bars and ice creams, big ones for adults. (We don’t see PIL often, not for this reason as they are actually lovely people but they aren’t local.) Brother came to see DS and took him for a walk in the park, ignored the water bottle and bought him a fruit shoot and fruit pastilles.

I don’t want to sound like a neurotic mum here and I’m sure plenty of people will say to get a grip, I’m lucky people are nice to DS but I suppose this is my question really - why does kindness and love have to be shown through food? Isn’t it enough to go to the park with him, to read to him, play in the garden (they do this too!)

I hate sounding like a killjoy but I really don’t want him associating everyone but me with junk food!

I've got three and none had a McDonald's until they were at school.

Also totally agree with this.

The kids that are banned from sweets and treats are the ones that end up bingers

People keep saying this, but a) it ignores the effect of regularly eating sugary/fat/shitty foods and b) there's a huge range between never letting children have any and being balanced. The issue is invariably as a PP has said that these 'little treats' all add up. Feeding a child crap has harmful affects on them in, their perception of a healthy lifestyle and tastes that they'll carry into adulthood.

Have none of you ever had a sugar craving, or a chocolate urge? I think some parents, particularly to PFB, get a tad anal about all of this. Most children aren't eating crap on a daily basis. Just don't be surprised if you're over-strict, and the child goes full throttle on eating rubbish when they have their own money and you are no longer in control.

My granny used to eat sugar sandwiches (😒) - white bread too!! 😲Died aged 81.

You don't know if you have the herpes virus, you can have it and shed virus but never have sores. It is just one of those things that some people have an immune system that deals with it and at the other extreme there are people like me whose immune system is totally rubbish at dealing with it.

It is a lifelong misery if you are like me, I'd never risk a child getting it.

The answer to your question in thread title is down to the incredibly successful marketing strategy of McDonald's, Burger King, KFC etc. Adults suck it up completely. It's madness!!

Well it could be teething, or colic, or a cold, or they weren't sleeping. It was pretty much a cure all in her book. The funny thing was that like me she was teetotal! As a kid "cures" were nearly always alcohol based so whisky and lemon in hot water for a cold, port and brandy for a bad stomach, that sort of thing. Maybe that's why I'm teetotal, I see alcohol as medicine. Never thought of that before.

I was born within sniffing distance of a chocolate factory and blame my chocolate addiction on that, I never stood a chance.

I completely agree with you! My son is 13 months and people seem keen but I don't let them. He tried his birthday cake that was his first taste of sugar. He's not been interested since the few times he's been offered it. There's no need.

@DawntilDusk4 wtf why can't parents kiss their kids on the lips?

YANBU op- my husbands a dentist and I'm a dental nurse and the amount of times we've been called unfair for not giving our 1 year old chocolate. She dosent need it fgs

as i said only on MN , in real life that really doesnt happen. Most people i know have no problem with teaching their kids about moderation

Don't understand this.

#1 didn't have chocolate until her 15 month jabs. Even then I used to break chocolate buttons into quarters for her.
#2 had first chocolate around 9 months and would get a whole button at a time.
#3 probably had his first chocolate at 6 months and he'd get a packet of chocolate buttons at a year old like his siblings.

#3 is totally unbothered by chocolate or most sweet things. His favourite snack is a bowl full of salad.

Don't get too worked up about it.

It’s easy to decipher if you try. You are just being academically elitist and offensive.

Oh! Ok! So having a basic understanding (and indeed misunderstanding) of our language is elitist? That is the most fucked up thing that I have ever (had the privilege, having been basically educated) been accused of in my 61 years.

If most people have no problem teaching their kids about moderation, why is there a childhood obesity epidemic?

Some people have not had the privilege of a basic education it doesn’t mean they can’t give their opinion in the best way they know how to. Just because it is not expressed in basic English doesn’t mean they deserve to be belittled. As I said it is easy to decipher if you try.

Um, I'm really quite unsure as to why you're quoting me DawntilDusk4???

Am I being attacked for some reason?

You seem to have lots of problems with posters. Can you not just be nice, supportive and try to build relationships with others here?

I actually think it's just down to portion size rather that what we eat.

@ancientgran, I can assure you I don't have the herpes virus in any way, shape, or form.

My mum has an autoimmune condition that makes her cold sores really hard to clear up, so I sympathise completely as it's absolutely miserable.

As even the blood test for herpes is notoriously unreliable I honestly don't know how you can be so sure of that. Have you ever kissed anyone, other than your child, if you have you don't know. I'm sure you don't want to know that but it is the scientific fact. I wish it was better known and we could wipe it out in the next generation.

Awww it's a shame you're withholding nice things. He'll grow up binge eating sugar and carbs if you continue on this path.

Poor lad!

Strike a balance. And brush his teeth well.

I think it is probably exercise as well. I grew up in a house with no car, I walked everywhere from a very early age, I played out with friends from a very early age, I ran errands from a slightly older age. I don't think kids in general are as active now which is understandable as they have lots of other distractions and lots (like my GC) seem to get driven everywhere. I think when you put the portion sizes with the activity level it is a potent mixture.

Theres so much more to teeth than /not/eating sugar and teeth cleaning. Going back to mothers pregnancy and later general life style and health.

I was under the impression (tho I don't have any links tbf) that the obesity epidemic is linked to the consumption of UPFs (ultra processed foods). Obesity has increased with the introduction and increased consumption of UPFs. So actually, WHAT we eat is as important as portion size and exercise etc.

Exactly.