

I think the real issue is simply that excess calories (and sugary foods are highly dense in calories) leads to obesity. And obesity in childhood lends itself to continued obesity through adulthood, thus higher rates of things like diabetes and high blood pressure.
I think the whole argument about sugar itself is a bit of a moot point. It all comes down to whether or not you let your child become obese while you are still under their care.
I grew up in a household with a lot of sugar. I turned out just fine. Two of my siblings struggle a lot with obesity, and one has been overweight since childhood.









I used to love this as a kid.
Now as an adult, I found a fun substitute. Slice some cucumber. Then add cinnamon, salt, and whatever sugar substitute you like. It’s not quite the same as the real thing, obviously. But I haven’t had the “real” version since I was a kid. It’s a nice throwback that satisfies the want for a desert-like item with few calories.