While using sweets to reward good behavior might seem to work in the short term, experts agree that this can have lasting consequences on your child’s relationship with food. Using food as an incentive could diminish your efforts to promote better eating habits.
Let’s dive into why experts say you should never reward your child with sweets. We’ll also look at healthier strategies for encouraging positive behavior in your little ones.
Why experts don’t recommend using sweets as rewards
Offering sugary or calorie-dense foods, like candy and ice cream, for good behavior can make these foods more appealing. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics highlights how sweets become special or valuable in a child’s eyes when they associate them with positive experiences. As a result, they might prefer these foods over healthier alternatives.
Rewarding with food can also disrupt children’s natural hunger and fullness cues. According to the experts at Michigan State University Extension, using treats as incentives may encourage kids to eat even when they’re not hungry, activating unhealthy habits. When children associate eating with emotions —like feeling proud or happy— it can lead to overeating or emotional eating as adults.
Besides, using food to discipline kids, like withholding dessert for bad behavior or forcing them to “clean their plates”, can also have negative effects. It might teach them to dislike nutritious foods they’re forced to eat or to ignore their natural signals of fullness.
Building healthy habits instead
The good news is that there are many effective ways to motivate kids without reaching for sweets. Experts suggest focusing on non-food-related rewards, like a trip to the library, a visit to the zoo, or picking out a new toy.
You can also let your child choose an active outing, like a bike ride or a game in the park, or pick a new fruit or vegetable to try. When kids are involved in food choices, they’re more open to experimenting with healthy options.
It’s also important to approach meals with a sense of shared responsibility. Nutritionist Ellyn Satter’s “Division of Responsibility in Feeding” suggests that parents should decide what and when to offer meals, while kids get to decide if and how much to eat. This approach helps children listen to their bodies, rather than external cues, to determine when they’re full or hungry.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of praise. Positive reinforcement, such as saying “I’m proud of you” or “You did a great job”, can boost your child’s self-esteem and strengthen your bond. Words of encouragement are often more effective than any sugary treat.
While rewarding your child with sweets might feel like an easy solution, the long-term consequences can be harmful. Using food as a reward or punishment can disrupt their natural eating habits, increase their desire for unhealthy foods, and create emotional ties to eating. Instead, focus on rewards that promote healthy habits and build positive relationships.