How do I give my brother some food for thought about his son without seeming like a holier than thou dork ?

Here's the thing : his son is about 6 and his school teachers are recommending that my brother give him Ritalin to help him focus.
Although what I see is that his kids are addicted to sugar. My bro makes lots of money and his kids have everything they could want and more. This includes a kitchen full of sugary things. When I walk into their kitchen the smell of sugar hits me straight away and my mind wants it. The cupboards are full of every sugary thing that you could want.
I suspect that this is affecting his son's ability to concentrate and I'm worried that Ritalin will be doping his mind just to counteract the constant sugar rush.
On the other hand his wife is really large because she uses sugary foods all day long as comfort food because she is stressed. So she is basically setting the example for their kids. I do sympathise with her though.
He is in an awkward situation and I don't want to stick my nose into it and cause trouble. I'm concerned for the wellbeing of his son though because he has great potential. He needs to stop eating sugar in my opinion for his own good.

What do you think ? Give the kid Ritalin or discipline the kid and his mother to stop the sugar addiction ?

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SW-User

Obviously your brother told you about his son because he's concerned about him. So I see no problem in you telling him that you did some research and think if he changes his son's sugary diet, it could have an impact on his health and do much better in school without drugs. Too much sugar makes kids hyper and brats. I have seen kids go from super sweet to little demons after eating sugar, especially chocolate. You just might save your nephew from years of stress and being behind in school. His attention span will improve in school with a more nutritious diet. I say go for it.👍

Wraithorn · 51-55, M

@SW-User Actually he didn't tell me about the Ritalin. He told my mother who then told me. Yes the kid's diet does need to change. He doesn't eat vegetables and only wants chicken nuggets and sweets of course.
I do not think Ritalin is needed. I think discipline is needed. But now I'm starting to sound like my father and I don't like that. 🙂

SW-User

lol Yes I've become my mother too.🤭 But even though you heard it second hand from your mother maybe have an uncle/nephew day together and even include your mom. Feed him yummy but nutritious foods with veggies and dip and fruit cups along with a healthy meal. Then when your brother picks him up he will see he is toned down and less hyper. If he notices, tell him he did not eat any sugar. You never know, it might work.👍️ @Wraithorn

Wraithorn · 51-55, M

@SW-User Good idea but that has already been tried. He refuses fruit and veges. He only wants meat and sweets. I think discipline is the only thing left but that's difficult when his mother also only eats meat and sweets.
That's like an alcoholic trying to give up drinking while another person in the same house drinks like a fish.
Discipline is needed !
"Shut up father's mind ! Get away from me ! Grrrr.."
🙂

SW-User

Lol Do you have kids? Another idea is to just put out good food like a buffet or have a picnic with him. Find delicious kid friendly recipes and when you eat say oh this is sooo yummy. And then say, sorry you can't have any, it's all mine. hehehe Then he might beg you for some. I do that with stubborn kids. It works. Or entice him by saying if you take a bite, I'll take you to a playground, etc.
Even offering raisins is healthier than candy. There's lots of tricks out there to get kids to try something healthy. And it won't happen overnight. Keep offering everytime you see him. Put bananas on popsicle sticks, etc.@Wraithorn

Wraithorn · 51-55, M

@SW-User I do have a daughter who is now 26 yrs old. She is getting married in November.
However...you have inadvertently touched on another reason why me speaking to my bro about his kid is a touchy subject.
Due to me being a pathetic dumbass, cowardly and various other things when I was younger, I only got to know my daughter when she was 12.
I saw her the day she was born and then only again when she was 12 and I never even considered marrying her mother. To my credit I did give her mother monthly payments voluntarily but that doesn't really make up for being a pathetic dumbass.
So....my bro will most likely say,"But you didn't even raise your own kid !"
And he would be right. I don't have a leg to stand on.

SW-User

But you do have a relationship with your daughter now and that's what counts. We are not our past because of the mistakes we made in our youth. We grew from them. I'm sure your brothers past isn't perfect either.@Wraithorn