This is a really interesting area, I think. I completely agree that we don't want sugary things, as 'treats' to become something desirable and forbidden. Lottie, at 13 months, is *never* offered chocolate etc, or even a normal biscuit, which seems fairly obvious - but will this mean that the things I don't give her will develop a huge allure as she becomes aware that they exist? Like you, I can't believe I really should be feeding her rubbish just to stop it having a mystique. And with my older two, 5 and 3, I've struggled with the 'treat' thing a lot. Because I'm not the only one who has influence over them - they go to friends' houses and come back saying 'we had bread and chocolate spread!' And I say, 'well, lucky you, there's none of that round here, is there?' and they say 'why not?' 'because too much of that isn't good for you.' 'But Simon has it every day' etc. Likewise, grandparents play their part... So the things we try not to eat a lot of *are* now seen as exciting, and these days, we can't drive past golden arches without a chorus of 'can we go to mcdonald's??' Even though they know the answer. So in short, I don't know, but I feel that allowing occasional bits of sugary fare into an otherwise sensible diet (well done, Peta Bee) is probably the only way to go. At least as adults they won't be assuming they can eat junk every day. E x