DEAR HELOISE: To Susan L., as a retired registered dietitian who specialized in pediatrics, I absolutely do not recommend popsicles as a snack. They are high in simple sugars and can be high in added sugar, with limited vitamins and minerals and no fiber. There are numerous other healthy snacks that are not high in sugar, such as hummus with vegetable sticks or cheese with whole-grain, low-sugar crackers. Although fresh fruit contains natural sugar, it is not sticky and has vitamins and fiber.

• Dena G., via email

We have another reader who presented their view on sticky sweets for children. Take a look below.

• Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: At home, I see to it that my children eat only healthy food. Since I’m a stay-at-home mom, I see to it that junk food never crosses our threshold. However, you can’t stop kids from buying candy, sodas and chips when they are away from home. Some children may not really like some of the junk food that their friends eat, but they “go along to get along.”

I usually point out to my family that none of them have ever had a sick day, not even when COVID was rampant. They see a dentist annually, and of my three children, only one has a filling in her back molar. Genetics may play a roll in their health, but I believe that diet is very important.

• Grace H., in Sioux City, Iowa

DEAR HELOISE: I use dryer sheets when I do our laundry. I’ve heard about dryer balls. Do you recommend using them? If so, why? Is there anything I should look for when purchasing one?

• Tim, in Omaha, Nebraska

Tim, dryer balls can be used many times, while a dryer sheet usually only has a one-time use. Economically, a dryer ball makes sense, and it works as well as dryer sheets. The only drawback that I can think of is when the dryer ball gets stuck in a sleeve. I’ve had to really work to get the ball out sometimes.

Dryer sheets have a second life when they are used not only for drying laundry, but for things like dusting and other creative tasks that my readers have come up with.

• Heloise

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Heloise@Heloise.com