I personally don't give treats or incentives that are food based but clean up and following my directions is not optional and will never result in a treat or reward. It's merely expected.

But the subjects of food based rewards is something I feel strongly shouldn't ever be used.

To my Mum, a "treat" always = food. A slice of cake or some other food related item which essentially was known as having no nutritional benefit. My sister and I both have horrible relationships with food and sugar and it wasn't until taking a psychology degree that the penny dropped.

Reward is fantastic and a wonderful motivator for children. Personally I don't feel it should ever be food based and if it is, fruit or strawberry never a sugary based manufactured food item with zero benefits in eating. That association with "deserving" a reward and association of that being food based, is one of the hardest ones to break.

How about rewarding with a particular toy/activity/fruit/song vs unhealthy sugary filled food?