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Positive & Negative Facts About Desserts for Kids

For some people, the word "dessert" conjures up mouth-watering images of decadent chocolate, scrumptious sugar and irresistible cakes. Others think of obesity, heart attacks, and diabetes. Many cultures celebrate with food, yet many individuals are paying the physical price of over-consumption. It is only natural for parents to question whether they should give their children desserts. When making that decision, it is important to consider a number of facts.

  1. Desserts Can Encourage Kids to Eat their Meals

    • It is hardly a secret that children are often very picky eaters. Although parenting experts disagree about the long-term effects of bribing children to eat their fruits and vegetables, there is no denying that it can be a very effective technique. Telling children that they cannot have dessert until they finish their meals can be the quickest and easiest way to ensure that they do. For some parents, this may be the only way to get their children to eat nutritious food.

    Desserts Can Teach Kids Unhealthy Attitudes

    • Unfortunately, there is a downside to using dessert as a reward for healthy eating habits. First, as a writer for the natural living site "Naturally Savvy" points out, this sends a powerful message to children: "broccoli is the unpleasant prerequisite for the reward, dessert." This can raise children with the attitude that healthy eating is an undesirable necessity, which is hardly the best way to encourage them to develop healthy habits of their own.

    Desserts Contribute to Poor Health

    • According to the Center for Disease Control, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. As of 2008, nearly 20% of children ages 6 to 11 were obese. Obesity contributes to cardiovascular disease, bone and joint problems, sleep problems, and poor self-esteem. Given all of these concerns, parents should be very careful about encouraging their children to eat unhealthy snacks, especially on a regular basis.

    Desserts Can Be Healthy

    • Fortunately, it is possible to find many delicious treats that are actually good for you and your family. Some possibilities include fruit parfaits, yogurt, apples dipped in peanut butter, and banana bread. If you choose options that your children enjoy, they may eat these snacks with as much pleasure as they would have eaten ice cream, cookies or cake - and they will be far better off for it.

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