Junus (6) asks: ‘Why is candy unhealthy?’ † Family

There is a drum in the kitchen cupboard on the top shelf. If you put a stool against the counter, stand on it and stretch all the way, you can reach it. At least if you are six years old and live in Junus’ house. And wanting to be able to join is useful. There is candy in the tin. Junus: ,,We are usually allowed one sweet each day. Often I take one of those scary eyeballs that we have left over from Halloween. And we sometimes get candy from the neighbors. I know eating a lot of sweets isn’t very good for you, but I like it so much that I think when I live on my own later that I’m going to buy a lot of bags of sweets every day.” It is clear that most children (and adults) love sweets. But why is it so unhealthy?

Eva Corpeleijn is a nutrition scientist at the University Medical Center Groningen and chair of the Dutch Association for the Study of Obesity. “Sugar is a fuel in your body,” says Corpeleijn. “Like fats and proteins, sugar gives you energy that allows you to move and stay alive. Since your body can use and digest sugars well, they are not that bad at all. But too much sugar is not good.”

Because food with sugar in it is so tasty, people quickly eat too much of it. And that has consequences, according to Corpeleijn. Your body cannot digest too much sugar properly. Then you get fat. Also, food with a lot of sugar in it often does not contain things. Vitamins, minerals and building materials for example. And that’s exactly what a body needs. Foods with a lot of sugar are called empty calories. If you eat too many empty calories, your body misses out on building materials and vitamins. And that’s exactly what happens when you eat candy.”

But if eating too many sweets isn’t good for you, why is it so delicious? Corpeleijn: ,,The reason that your body needs sugar can be traced back to the time when people still looked for food in the forest. Sugar is a good source of energy. If there is not an abundance of food available, it is good to eat more of something that has a lot of energy. Of course there used to be no candy in the forest, but ripe fruit! And that was an ideal meal to supplement your energy level.”

Shouldn’t you give your child candy at all? According to Corpeleijn, that is not necessary. “A child is allowed to have a piece of candy, a cookie or a sweet drink. But it’s important to realize it’s a treat. It should not replace a meal or satisfy an appetite. Your cravings disappear much faster if you have something to chew on, rather than a cookie you swallowed like that. A candy carrot or an apple, for example!”

Junus thinks for a moment about his future vision of a life in rooms full of bags of candy. Then he shakes his head. ,,No, I don’t think I’ll just buy candy when I grow up. I once ate a lot of sweets in one go and then I got a stomachache. And I also really like bell peppers and snack tomatoes. And strawberries, especially in the summer. Those are actually just sweets! Just like raisins and date balls. Just give me a little bit of everything.”