Chocolate Trouble

[Bonzo 2000]

Our sweet natured 3 1/2 year old becomes a complete monster after even a fairly small amount of milk chocolate.  He rarely has any, but, like the rest of us, enjoys a little as a special treat.  Is he likely to grow out of this effect or does he face a life without chocolate?

[andy hughes]

Your child obviously has an allergy to something in chocolate. You could try dark chocolate, or diabetic chocolate, and see if that helps. If not it is quite possible he will grow out of it. My youngest was born with lactose intolerance, but can now enjoy milk products in cooked food, and has recently been able to add cheese and eggs to her diet. Having wondered about the taste of cheese all her life - she is nearly sixteen, she finally tasted some, and decided she didn't like it anway!

[morg_monster]

is it fairly 'good quality' chocolate?  sometimes the cheaper brands can have more additives and preservatives than the better stuff.  Maybe try some Lindt or black & gold's? or anything with as few ingredients as possible - just to see if he has the same effect.  The same goes for the dark chocolate - this usually has fewer added nasties.

[ursula62]

Have you tried Carob instead? You can get it in health food shops. 

[spudqueen]

I believe that chocolate has caffeine in it, which may be the problem. My oldest son used to go haywire after eating certain sweets (though not chocolate) and any fizzy drink except lemonade, though he grew out of this by the time he was 9 or 10.

[ann_h]

Dark chocolate may be worse!

Chocolate contains a variety of brain-stimulating stuff, such as theobromine, phenylethylene (sp?) and some people are highly sensitive to these. They are particularly noticeable in chocolate for some reason, but are also found in other food groups which your son may have to learn to avoid.

For example, one friend of mine would go LOON on one cup of coffee, and my bf breaks out into an adrenalin-type sweat eating cheese or kidney beans.

[The Tiggster]

My friend's 4 year old is identical to your wee one. She has been told to cut out milk & dark chocolate totally from his diet. For some strange reason he's allowed white chocolate which he gets as a treat now and again. It has made such a difference to him & has calmed down an awful lot.

Dr's do think that he'll grow out of it.

[l15a27]

sorry just want to say if opting at all for diabeic chocolate not to give it him on a regular basis as it will contain manitol or sorbitol which will cause diarrhoea.

and the same goes when going sugar free too, not to over do it on the above ingredients