How do you stop a teenager eating bucketloads of sweets?

[Allshallbewell2021]

Obviously they need pocket money. But it scares me the amount of sugar they all eat.

Any ideas from anyone who has successfully reduced the volume?

I don't want to send unhealthy messages around food either.

I encouraged my teens to find sports they enjoy. Once the focus moved health and fitness they tended to rein in the extremes of junk food eating (most of the time) and were doing enough physical activity to burn off the calories.

It does mean that I have to listen to discussions on macros now they are a bit older but they are both fit and a healthy weight.

Educate them. They don't normally listen to a nagging mum but a YouTube clip on how sugar toys your teeth or how it's harmful to the body.

I understand what you mean by this, but would maybe do this at the same time as teaching about reliable sources. You don't want a child who eats no sweets but believes everything they see online.

I agree the age is important - and my 12 year old is very young and has ADHD.
Because he can use cash currently, it really helps him know how much he has left. Even if he does currently spend it all on sweets!

"I understand what you mean by this, but would maybe do this at the same time as teaching about reliable sources. You don't want a child who eats no sweets but believes everything they see online."

Yes true. I'd hope people would find reputable sources. I've seen info from Dr Rangan Chatterjee and Dr Jason Fung who are quite good but might be dull for teens.
There are specific educational ones aimed at younger audiences.