![](https://food-dk.imascientist.org.uk/files/2025/01/Leo-150x150.png)
LEO STURGEON
Full time parent
Food technologists do everything to make food ultra palatable, easily digestible, and attractive, adding fake colours to burgers to lure you, and creating packets with cartoons.
My 2-year-old tantrums to get those dinosaur snacks. The pressure is immense. I don’t even know how much is okay because serving sizes are for adults, not children! My 10-year-old has an “overbite” – a jaw too small for his face, caused by less fibre in the diet. He likes to drink fizzy drinks, we have tried sweeteners, but they just make him want to snack. I am not in control.
FACT
We have smaller jaws than our ancestors just 100 years ago because we do less chewing.
ISSUE
Sweeteners tell your body to expect sugar – so it produces insulin. When sugar doesn’t come, too much insulin makes you crave sugar, making it harder to resist sweets.
QUESTION
Is it ethical to market to children?