Fiona Gibson looks at the problems that a deluge of sweets and chocolate poses for conscientious parents.

I intended to raise my children on healthy, balanced diets. They would grow up believing that rice cakes were ‘treats’, and simmer with delight when presented with a handful of carrot batons.

‘You start off with these lofty ideas,’ confesses Jo, whose three year-old son, Finn, didn’t eyeball a sweet until he reached 18 months, but is now rarely seen without a melting Kit-Kat. ‘Once your child starts nursery and gets invited to other kids’ houses – and your relatives are always sticking the biscuit tin under his nose – you might as well give up.’

Another friend, Katy, ensured that she and her first child never left the house without a Tupperware box of right-on goodies (apple slices, plain breadsticks, organic dried apricots). Yet, by the time baby number three came along, she was happy to revive flagging nippers with chewy cola bottles from the newsagents.

Sarah Schenker, a dietician from the British Nutrition Foundation is reassuring
‘Sweets and chocolates can be incorporated into a healthy, balanced diet. What’s important are the proportions that your child is eating, rather than specific types of food. A wide range of foods is what counts. Chocolate and crisps are fine one time, if they’re balanced with something healthier – say, bananas and oranges – the next.’

So no heavy-duty padlock on the goodie cupboard?
‘We advocate increasing variety rather than being restrictive,’ says Sarah. ‘You’re trying to encourage a positive attitude towards food. Yes, you may wish to introduce some lower-fat foods to replace those high in fat – but it’s a common sense thing. Christmas and Easter are celebrations when children can indulge a bit more than usual.’

And the rest of the year?
No need to ban Cadbury’s finest (forbidden fruit – hugely appealing to infant). However, the British Dental Association points out that there are ‘links between the frequency of consumption of sugary food and dental decay.’ Which means, offering goodies after certain meals, rather than allowing your child to spend weeks with a mouthful of Refreshers.

Upping your child’s fruit intake is sensible too. Research conducted for the Department of Health reveals that one in five children eats no fruit at all. Aiming to redress the balance, the government has launched The National School Fruit Scheme, allocating children at 510 schools across England a free piece of fruit every day.

Gone are the days when my sons would crack gleeful smiles at the sight of a SatsumaAt Easter, I don’t even attempt to trick them with ‘chocolate alternatives’ (‘Look, darling, a colouring book!’). Annabel Carmel, author of several books on cooking for children points out, ‘We can become too hysterical about doing the right thing. I’ve known parents phone the hosts of a children’s party to check in advance the kind of food that will be offered. It’s nuts,’ she says. ‘Chocolate is part of childhood.’

And if you still wish to ban the sweet, sticky stuff – no chance
‘I used to dread Easter,’ says my friend Jo. ‘But since I’ve relaxed the rules, Finn’s been more inclined to eat a little bit of chocolate, then tell me he’s had enough.’ Finn has obviously come to the conclusion that there are more exciting things in the world than chocolate. Let’s hope it lasts.What other messages do obsessive adults pass on to their children?