Parental Filter

Some people forbid chocolate, thinking that it inspires the same kind of hyper-activity in children that many associate with sugar intake They use carob instead.

This seems like wasted effort to me, unless the child is allergic to chocolate and accepts carob easily.

Do you think that children should be denied chocolate? Is carob just as good or do you think children are being unfairly cheated out of a childhood pleasure?

My grandmother always used to say 'a little of what you fancy does you good'. I think she was right, an occasional chocolate treat will not do much harm, but it is important to get children used to eating a healthy diet, so too much chocolate would not be helpful.

I agree that it's a wasted effort. I think it can be given *in moderation* because once something is made taboo, it becomes more of a temptation later... the forbidden fruit.

I've had carob, and it was tolerable. Sure wouldn't take the place of real chocolate in my eyes, though.

I have tried carob and we have been done a huge disservice by people telling us it's a good substitute for chocolate.

It is nothing like chocolate!

I tried carob, I didn't like it, it is nothing like chocolate. I don't see why we need a substitute for chocolate, we just need to eat less chocolate.

Well now isn't that the truth! People so often forget the moderation rule and end up going for "all or nothing" which ends up hurting them in the end.

You summed it up very well... "just eat less chocolate!"

I find that keeping chocolate as a treat works well. I have loads of fruit and healthy snacks available for anyone who wants it. They could walk to the shop and buy chocolate, but it is easier to just snack on what is available and they love fruit and veg so it is not a hardship.

Yes, I think moderation is the key and providing healthy choices helps too. I think we need to relearn moderation in several areas of life including lifestyle and alcohol consumption.

You're lucky if people in your household enjoy fruit and veggies like that. I keep some of it around, but often it gets overripe before anyone touches it, especially the fresh fruits.

I think we'd be giving children a great service to try to teach that to them *before* it becomes a problem, yes. If kids pick up on moderation young enough it seems as if it would "stick" better than if they try to learn it after already having tried the other route.