Hard Truths: Treating our kids with sugar

Why a cultural habit might be doing more harm than good, and what we can do about it.

Just one sweet... or is it?

Birthdays, rewards, celebrations -even comfort after a bad day - many of us are guilty as charged when it comes to offering sugar to our children. Our intentions are good, of course. But should we be worried about this reflex we've adopted, and that our kids have come to expect?

We all know the behaviour that follows a sugar rush and the dreaded crash that comes after. But now the science is catching up - and it reveals a far deeper story: one that involves mood, behaviour, gut health, metabolic effects, and long-term consequences for our children’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

So perhaps it’s time to ask:

When did sugar become the language of love? And more importantly - is it time we started speaking a new one?

Sugar - are we killing our kids with kindness?

The sugar status quo

In the UK, sugar is stitched into the fabric of childhood.

We use it to motivate... “you can have pudding if you finish your veggies”;

We us it to celebrate - “have a cake - it’s your birthday!” or "take these sweets in to school to share with your friends";

We even use it to soothe - “have a sweetie, it’ll cheer you up”.

It’s so embedded that we rarely question it anymore… these treats pick them up and get us to the next phase of our busy schedules.

As a mum and a teacher, I understand this scenario well. I’ve seen it in my home, at the schools gates and I’ve seen it play out in classrooms.

The short-term impact: highs, crashes and tantrums

We’ve all seen it — the sugar rush followed by the inevitable crash. In the short term, high sugar intake can spike energy levels, then leave children irritable, hyperactive, or weepy once blood sugar plummets. This rollercoaster can affect concentration, emotional regulation, and even classroom behaviour.

And the impact isn’t just behavioural. In England, tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions among 6–10-year-olds, with over 25,000 children needing extractions under general anaesthetic last year alone. That’s a full-on hospital procedure for something entirely preventable.

The medium-term impact: developing habits and preferences

Children’s taste buds are still developing. The more often they’re exposed to sweet foods, the more they prefer them — not just now, but in the years ahead. Research shows that early exposure to sugary foods sets the tone for dietary habits well into adulthood.

Here’s a staggering stat: by the age of 10, UK children have already consumed the maximum recommended amount of sugar for an 18-year-old — eight years early. That’s not just a dietary quirk; it’s a public health warning.

Frequent sugar consumption also fosters reliance on external rewards. Instead of learning intrinsic motivation (“I’m proud of what I did”), they may come to expect a treat for every effort. This undermines resilience and distorts how they view food in relation to achievement or comfort.

The long-term Impact: health risks and dependency

By the time children reach their teens, many are already showing early signs of diet-related health issues — from increased risk of type 2 diabetes to early markers of metabolic syndrome.

In the UK, nearly 1 in 4 children are overweight or obese by the time they start primary school, and that rises to 1 in 3 by the end of Year 6. This isn’t just about weight — it's about long-term wellbeing and preventable illness.

In the UK, nearly 1 in 4 children are overweight or obese by the time they start primary school, and that rises to 1 in 3 by the end of Year 6.

Even more concerning, type 2 diabetes is now being diagnosed in children as young as 9 — a condition that, not long ago, was considered adult-onset. It’s now appearing in classrooms.

And let’s not ignore sugar’s addictive nature. It lights up the brain’s reward system in a similar way to certain drugs, creating strong feedback loops and cravings. Every time we hand it out to soothe or celebrate, we reinforce that cycle.

We’re not bad parents, we’re in a tough system

This isn’t about blame. Most parents are doing what feels right, what’s familiar, what brings a smile to a child’s face. In a culture where sugar is everywhere — marketed to kids, pushed through TV ads, lined up at every till — resisting it is more than a personal choice. It’s a social challenge.

In fact, sugar is added to over 70% of processed foods, including those marketed as “kid-friendly”. That makes it incredibly hard for even the most well-meaning parents to keep it in check.

It’s also worth acknowledging that convenience plays a huge role. Sugar is cheap, quick, and easy. And when everyone else is handing it out, it feels unfair — even cruel — not to do the same.

So what can we do without going full-on fun police?

Let’s start with realistic, non-judgemental steps. Here are a few ways to shift the narrative without demonising food or becoming "that parent":

1. Reframe rewards

   
   

   Swap food-based treats for other incentives: extra bedtime stories, a trip to the park, stickers, or time to choose a fun family activity.

   
   

2. Normalise celebrations without sugar

   
   

   If you’re sending in birthday goodies, think about alternatives — themed pencils, fun erasers, temporary tattoos. The kids will still be delighted.

   
   

3. Talk about it, honestly

   
   

   Have age-appropriate conversations about food and how it makes us feel. Not “this is bad” but “this gives us energy”, “this helps us grow”, “this one is more for special times”.

   
   

4. Create home habits that balance things out

   
   

   You don’t have to cut sugar out completely. Just build a rhythm where it’s not the default. If school or parties bring it in often, balance it at home with nourishing, whole foods.

   
   

5. Band together

   
   

   Speak to other parents. Often, people want to change but don’t want to be the first to break the mould. A bit of solidarity can go a long way.

   
   

The takeaway

Sugar isn’t the enemy — but the way we’re using it with children deserves a second look. We owe it to the next generation to ask hard questions and challenge a system that’s normalised something with such clear consequences.

Change doesn’t mean banning birthday cake or outlawing lollies. It means recognising the power we have to shape habits, preferences, and relationships with food for life.

And that’s a gift worth giving.

If this resonates with you, share it with another parent or teacher to get the conversation going.

Beyond the blog... how I can help

I help parents, teachers and schools rethink how we use sugar — and how we can build healthier food habits for the next generation.

If you’d like practical ideas, support, or to host a sugar awareness talk for your school or parent group, I’d love to help.

Visit nutritionwithsarah.co.uk - or just drop me a message.

References

1.    NHS England. Children’s oral health: an action plan. gov.uk

2.    Public Health England. “By age 10, children have consumed 18 years’ worth of sugar.” nhs.uk

3.    NHS Digital. National Child Measurement Programme 2022/23. digital.nhs.uk

4.    Diabetes UK. Type 2 diabetes in children. diabetes.org.uk

5.    Action on Sugar. Sugar in children’s food. actiononsugar.org

6.    British Nutrition Foundation. Sugar and health. nutrition.org.uk

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