It was always gum that stands out, and eventually I had to make my own decision. Around the time I started spending more time with girls, having fresh breath became important to me. I’m sure Mom wasn’t very pleased, but I was able to argue the merits of sugar-free gum. Throughout high school and even today, if there’s gum in my pocket (and there often is) it’s dark blue (Wintergreen) Extra sugar-free gum.

As a parent myself, there’s a LOT of stuff I hate to let my kids have. Anything that comes in and out of the mouth is a potential sticky mess. That includes suckers, candy canes, etc. I like food that doesn’t leave a big mess and can be doled out in small portions. Smarties, Skittles, M&Ms, and so forth are perfect. Pixie Stix? Potential disaster. Fun Dip? Perhaps at age 12.