We’re in the middle of school holidays at the moment and that usually means kids are eating more treats than normal 🍦🍭

I’m not opposed to children having treats (everything in moderation ⚖️), although I do think the line between treats and everyday snacks may have become a bit blurred in recent years…🤔 (but that's for another post!)

Obviously homemade treats and fresh foods are the healthiest option but I am a realist - and a mum of three - and I know that kids don't like to miss out on the things that their friends are eating.

Zooper Doopers and artificially-coloured soft drinks are an absolute no for me. Both of these products are chemical cocktails containing only water, sugar (or artificial sweeteners), artificial colours, artificial flavours and preservatives. I would also never give my kids Skittles or Burger Rings for similar reasons.

A couple of tips for reading labels:

✅ A long ingredients list is usually a bad thing - but not always! (some of the healthier options I’ve suggested have much longer ingredients lists than the unhealthy options)

✅ Avoid products with lots of numbers or chemical names

✅ ‘Flavours’ means synthetic chemicals, unless it states “no artificial flavours”.

Note: with flavours (even ‘natural flavours’) it is impossible to know what they are made of as manufacturers are not required to disclose this information.

✅ The main things to look out for (and avoid) are artificial colours, artificial flavours, preservatives, flavour enhancers and artificial sweeteners (all shown in bold on the image)

✅ Zero-sugar products are not a healthier choice!

Artificial sweeteners are synthetic chemicals that have been linked with a wide range of adverse reactions, including aggressive behaviour and hyperactivity, asthma, headaches and migraines, depression, itchy skin and rashes, and sleep disturbance.

Here are a few healthy holiday treat swaps:

Try to avoid artificial colours, flavours, preservatives and sweeteners

Switching to additive-free treats may initially require a bit more time and effort as you learn what to look for on product labels, but it is 100% worth it in terms of improving your child’s health, especially if they struggle with behaviour issues, learning difficulties, asthma or skin conditions 😊

Interested in finding out more about healthy additive-free food, check out these blog posts:

Should children have sports drinks?

Need some healthy after school snack inspiration?

Healthy alternatives to Zooper Doopers

Easy swaps to reduce additives

Is diet soft drink bad for you?

Confused about the health star rating system?

Healthy party snacks (kid approved!)

Nut-free caramel crunch bliss balls