Cookies are arguably the best dessert choice. They are delicious and pretty much everyone loves them. But, some parents may wonder if their child’s health will be negatively affected by allowing them to have one cookie every day. Continue reading to see what a few professionals have to say on the matter.
Shena Jaramillo
Part of a Balanced Diet
It is within a healthy balanced diet to have one cookie daily. A cookie will generally consist of between 100-200 calories and can provide nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, and in some cases, even some healthy fats. The key to adequate nutrition throughout the day is balance, which includes some treats.
As an Add-on Food
A single cookie a day will not adversely affect a kid’s health. The critical thing is that the cookie doesn’t replace healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables; rather that it is an add-on food.
Also, not all cookies are the same. For example, homemade oatmeal raisin cookies are more nutritious than store-bought sandwich cookies. It may be wise to brush one’s teeth after eating a sugary treat for dental health.
Pierrette Mimi Poinsett
Lisa Richards
Future Benefits
Having one cookie a day may be good for a child’s relationship with food and ultimately prevent binge eating in the future. By taking away the mystery around cookies and other sweets, you are making it equal with other foods and not setting it up as something to be desired.
The child that knows they will likely get a cookie every day is less likely to beg for sweets and overeat on them when they are available. While added sugar should be a concern for a growing child, having it in moderation is acceptable.
When a cookie a day is incorporated into an otherwise balanced diet, a child shouldn’t experience negative health consequences as a result.
As a Reward
It is okay for kids to eat cookies every day because there is no health risk involved. In addition, kids love cookies, and parents may take advantage by rewarding their children with cookies. [For example,] when children have demonstrated good manners, [rewarding them] may make them well-mannered people in the future; or, when they have performed well in school, [a reward might] encourage them to continue doing well in their studies.
Daniel Boyer
Nikki Attkisson
Depends on The Cookie
I suggest that it depends upon the cookie that you give to your child. Some cookies have high sugar content, unhealthy fats, processed carbohydrates, and high calories, which is bad when considering a child. A single cookie with fewer fats, calories, and low sugar content isn’t going to hurt your child.
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