Question

Although I have met children who do not care for candy, they are far and away the exception. Most children will accept candy when offered. The trick is to control when it is offered. Candy has little nutritional value and is loaded with calories and fat. It causes tooth decay and displaces food with fiber, protein, vitamins, and other good stuff in the diet. Your daughter needs to learn that candy is a treat reserved for holidays or other special occasions. Ask people who love her, such as grandparents and friends, to give her books or toys rather than candy.

Answer

Although I have met children who do not care for candy, they are far and away the exception. Most children will accept candy when offered. The trick is to control when it is offered. Candy has little nutritional value and is loaded with calories and fat. It causes tooth decay and displaces food with fiber, protein, vitamins, and other good stuff in the diet. Your daughter needs to learn that candy is a treat reserved for holidays or other special occasions. Ask people who love her, such as grandparents and friends, to give her books or toys rather than candy.

Do not keep candy in the house because you want it there for yourself. If it is not there, she can't have it, no matter how much she fusses. Remember that you are the parent and your job is to teach her, among other things, that we can't have what we want all the time. If she has a tantrum because she doesn't get candy, let her have the tantrum and get over it. Then offer her a sweet piece of fruit.

Commercial television advertises snack foods and candy as well as fast foods and beer, all things that we do not want our children craving. As she grows up, limit her TV time—a good thing to do for many reasons, but in her case to avoid stimulating her sweet tooth.