Irish children are eating more sweets and treats since the Covid-19 pandemic began, new findings show.
Research from Safefood found that almost 50% of parents believe their children are eating more treats since the start of the coronavirus crisis.
Families are finding it difficult to keep the amount of treats their children eat to a minimum.
Previous Safefood research from 2019 showed that foods such as biscuits, crisps, chocolate and sweets were the second-most consumed food group by children.
Almost one quarter of all meals included food and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar.
Now, Safefood is joining the HSE and Healthy Ireland to encourage parents to tell their children that it’s time to give treats a break.
The organisations are encouraging parents to say no when a child asks for a treat.
Chief Specialist in Nutrition with safefood, Joana Da Silva said: “This past year has not been easy for parents and has had a significant impact on what we eat and how active we are as families.
"We know that physical lockdowns, home-schooling and a lack of social contact have all contributed to this situation. But as measures are slowly eased, it brings the hope that parents we can re-start those healthy habits at home.
“The START campaign is here to support. It all starts with a plan, which will be different for every family; for those who might have treats every day, this might mean aiming for a treat-free day; or giving treats a break at one part of the day, for example after school.
"Once parents have set a goal, they’ll need to agree this with all the family. Everybody has to be in this together if it’s going to work.”
Margaret O’Neill, National Nutrition Lead, HSE said that children need healthy diets to grow and develop healthily.
She added: “Parents and guardians have told us that they have been giving their children more treats, like crisps, chocolate and biscuits, than they usually would over the past year but they want to make changes.
"The time is right with lifting of restrictions and return to school routines to focus on giving treats a break and on restarting healthy snacking habits before the summer holidays.
"Remember children need two or three healthy snacks a day for growth and development. Healthy snacks provide, energy, protein and other nutrients children need to grow.
"Start with small changes and have a plan about the changes that will work for your family and remember to tell family members about your plan.
"It will be a daily challenge for a while but once the break is made, it will get easier. Making small gradual changes and taking breaks from treats will help you succeed in making healthy snacking become the norm at home. Remember small changes can make a big difference.”
