Aoife Hearne: Clubs rewarding children with sweets can quickly turn sour

"We have to teach our children how to eat them in small quantities and take the power away from forbidden foods. Eating well is not about avoiding ultra-processed foods, but about focusing on the pattern and variety of what we eat and the relationship we have with food."

We have to teach our children how to eat them in small quantities and take the power away from forbidden foods. Eating well is not about avoiding ultra-processed foods, but about focusing on the pattern and variety of what we eat and the relationship we have with food.

My children, aged eight and 10, are rarely given sweets at home, but are often handed goodie bags after birthday parties. And if they win a match, they are nearly always rewarded with sweets. 

Naturally, my two scoff the lot. I don’t want to be a spoilsport, but I value my children’s dental health. Is there a tactful way to deal with this tricky situation?