“Sweet treat” is a recent phenomenon that has been gracing social media and Gen Z in the past year. Whether it be influencers doing a mukbang (close-up video of eating) of a newly purchased snack, or an advertisement for the “perfect pick-me-up,” the trend is making its presence known in the younger generations with the hashtag reaching over 23 million videos, according to the New York Times.
A sweet treat is a sugary snack consumed for pleasure and not during any specific meal time. There is usually an overall theme of indulgence or reward included with the snack or dessert. The issue with this prominent culture, however, lies less in the idea, but in the name and the way it is used. Labelling a snack or dessert as a “treat” implies that it’s out of the ordinary and a reward.
While there is importance in compensation for a particularly hard day or tough situation, using this type of language in everyday conversation is not only harmful to us, but also to the people we surround ourselves with.
A little kid who constantly hears older siblings or mentors refer to a mid-day snack or after-dinner dessert as a “sweet treat” will apply that concept to their own life with negative effects. Not only are sugary noshes now thought of as special and uncommon occurrences, but it also gives negative ideas to overall themes of pleasure and innocent indulgence.
Eating a small dessert every day is actually beneficial to practicing restraint and getting in the necessary daily nutrients like carbohydrates and fiber, according to the Food Network. Making a normal occurrence appear unusual is harmful to growing minds, especially those of students, whose frontal lobes have not yet fully developed.
Sweet treat culture is also an ineffective way to celebrate or compensate for something, as it leaves no room for delayed gratification, something that is essential for building self-control and establishing long-term goals, according to the Associated Clinic of Psychology.
When a small reward suddenly turns into a necessary part of a daily routine, it can affect not only habit-building skills, but it also takes away from the longevity of a dopamine rush gained from delayed gratification.
Practicing restraint is an essential part of life, and by having a “sweat treat” mindset, it effectively cancels out the goal-setting skills that are developed through restraint. If you want a cookie, eat a cookie.
Along with the negative physiological effects of sweet treat culture, there is also an economic aspect. According to a survey by Bank of America’s Better Money Habits team, over 59% of Gen Z participants in the trend have reported overspending their budgets.
Sweat treat culture is also associated with the growing concerns of consumerism and overconsumption. Viral treats like Dubai chocolate brownies and Crumbl Cookies have graced our phone screens for over a year, playing directly into the harmful “sweet treat” mindset.
Instead of buying into overconsumption and immediate gratification, a better idea is to set monthly budgets and goals. Instill daily sweets into the routine to satisfy cravings, and stop referring to regular snacks and desserts as “sweet treats.” If a cookie is necessary after a long day, eat it without thinking of it as special or indulgent.
