DS and sugar

[Geburi]

DS is nearly 10. For a while he has been getting his own breakfast. However, at the weekend or in school holidays he has form for getting up early and overdoing it- he‘ll spread far too much peanut butter on his toast. Or he‘ll pour a huge bowl of cereal and add a spoon of peanut butter to it etc. I know because either I come downstairs while he‘s eating (and he sits there looking sheepish), or I see the peanut butter is empty very quickly.

I‘ve explained to him that it’s not good for his body, that it’s too much sugar foe his teeth, that it costs money that we could use on other fun things etc etc. I‘m really trying deal with this in a healthy way bur it’s not getting through to him.

This morning he got up early again (he‘s mainly been sleeping in until 9 to 9.30am this summer). I didn’t actually hear him. I saw he’s opened a new pack of honey. And this is how much he has had. On top of peanut butter on toast (so like peanut butter and jam, but honey instead). I am absolutely livid. It’s a 250g bottle, for reference.

Am I overreacting? This isn‘t ok, is it?

I don’t know how to get this through to him.

I‘ve always aimed to have a healthy attitude to sugar, we often have desserts or chocolate in the house and I make it clear they are food to enjoy but not have too much of. Yet we‘ll have cake, he could have a piece the size of his head and then he‘ll ask for another one. If we get an ice cream, he‘ll always choose the biggest one. I‘ve had to hide sweets because he‘ll come down in the morning and eat them.

I don’t want this to be an issue, I‘ve tried to avoid it but now I don’t know what to do. DD (7) isn’t like this at all.

I don't think that's particularly weird - aren't we all programmed to seek out sugar and fat? I definitely wanted lots of sugar as a child.

I think the problem is just that he's repeatedly doing things you've asked him not to. I would just put in place specific amounts he can have (tbsp of peanut butter or whatever) so it's absolutely clear what the boundaries are, and tell him if he doesn't stick to it he just won't get these extras at all. Then take them away if needed, until he is ready to be honest.

OMG that's loads! In the past I've spoken to my DDs about a healthy balance of foods and impact of sugar on teeth which I'm sure you have. I then talk about a 'sugar allowance' and choosing when to have sugary food.

If they did this I'd be telling them they'd used their sugar allowance for the day, suggesting they need me to help to have the right amount of honey for breakfast and now honey needs supervision, and hide the honey.

I wouldn't get too bothered by peanut butter, it's a healthy fat and will fill him up.

Christ, the amount of sugar I used to sneak on top of my cereal as a kid 🙄 I used to sneak a swig of honey from time to time out of the bottle too.

I’d let this go OP. Especially the peanut butter… that really doesn’t matter.

Just show him the bottle and say “hey, don’t use so much next time. Honey is expensive and it’s for everyone to share.”

You might get a surprise by how much teenage boys can eat when he hits that phase.

a growing teenage boy can eat a massive amount of food and still want more. It’s because they are growing.

if he’s about to start a growth spurt he’ll be really, really hungry.

maybe have some healthier options available?

but honestly, as they get older and have more choice over what they eat at secondary etc many teens do go through a phase of eating unhealthy food.

Mine are younger so no advice on the honey part but you could buy a sugar free peanut butter (Sainsbury's and others do one that is just 100% peanuts) to avoid that being a sugar issue especially as it's otherwise a good choice

You can buy sugar free peanut butter and I think fine to have a chat about leaving enough honey for everyone else but really in the greater scheme of things it isn’t a big deal.