Ah yes, July 21. The sacred holiday of the modern snack gods. National Junk Food Day—a day when calories don’t count (because we said so), and your child’s plea for "just one more cookie" turns into an all-you-can-eat celebration of sugar, grease, and neon-orange cheese dust.
So here’s the question we’re all pretending not to ask out loud: Should you let your kids embrace junk food?
And the even better question: Are you a bad parent if you let them eat it and don’t immediately spiral into a guilt-induced kale smoothie cleanse?
The Case for Junk Food: Childhood Joy in a Crinkly Bag
Let’s face it—junk food is fun. There’s a reason your kid’s eyes light up at the sight of a lollipop the size of their head or a rainbow cereal that looks like it was designed by a unicorn with a sugar addiction. Junk food is part of the childhood experience, like tantrums in public or flushing Legos down the toilet.
Also, if we’re being honest (and this is a safe space), sometimes giving your kid a cookie is self-care. Because what’s the alternative? A beet chip? Good luck with that.
The Case Against: Sugar Demons and Post-Snack Regret
Of course, we’ve all seen the aftermath of giving your child unrestrained access to junk food: They go from giggling and adorable to sticky, wild-eyed raccoons in under 10 minutes. Then comes the crash. The crying. The regret. The deeply philosophical questioning of your life choices as you wipe Cheeto fingerprints off your walls.
And let’s not even talk about nutrition labels. Unless you enjoy reading a list of chemicals that sound like they belong in a high school chemistry lab.
The Balance: Junk Food Isn't the Enemy, It's Just Not a Main Food Group
Here’s the real talk: You don’t have to pick a side. You can be both the parent who makes sure there are green things on the plate and the parent who lets their kid eat a donut and live their best life on National Junk Food Day.
Food doesn’t have to be morally categorized into “good” and “bad.” Instead, let’s teach our kids (and ourselves, honestly) that balance is key. That it’s okay to enjoy a cupcake without needing a side of guilt. That an apple and a bag of chips can coexist in the same lunchbox without triggering a nutritional apocalypse.
So... What Should You Do on July 21?
Celebrate! Let them pick a treat. Make it fun. Share something nostalgic from your own junk food childhood—whether it’s those suspiciously red snack cakes or the snack that turns your tongue blue for three business days.
But maybe also offer a real lunch. Throw a carrot stick in there so your conscience doesn’t yell at you later.
And hey—if you’re looking for a cute snack cup, a non-toxic bib to catch the cookie crumbs, or just want to laugh at how sticky your kid’s face can get—we’ve got you covered at www.babysonja.com. Parenting is messy. Snacks are messier. Let’s embrace both.
Happy National Junk Food Day. May your pantry be full, your child’s hands be clean (eventually), and your snack stash remain hidden until bedtime.
