11/12/2025
As we head into the holidays this is your friendly reminder that your child’s wild behaviour right now is most likely related to the excitement of Christmas (or Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate). It’s not because they’ve eaten more sugar than normal.
I know it’s hard to believe, but consider for a moment that your child’s behaviour is a result of the late nights, early mornings, busy days, end of daycare/school, parties, catch ups, cousin time, swims, parental stress, overstimulation and lack of predictable routine. All these things add up.
And actually, the scientific evidence consistently shows that sugar does NOT impact children’s behaviour (see citations below).
In fact, the research shows that parents report more wild behaviour from their child when they’ve been told their child has consumed sugar, even when they’ve had none. It’s about perception more than anything.
It’s such a common belief that the term ‘sugar high’ is bandied around by kids themselves at Christmas catch ups. Consider this your friendly reminder that our children absorb everything we say, and we just don’t need to speak this way about any food- including sugar.
And sure, your child probably isn’t eating like they usually do. Same in my household. But we can gradually get back to normal once we all emerge from this bubble of Christmas catch ups. And no one has to feel bad about any of it!
So did you know this? Or do you find it hard to believe?
🍬🍬🍬
Evidence:
DOI: 10.1001/jama.1995.03530200053037
DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2017.1386628
DOI: 10.1079/bjn20041171.
