Contrary to popular belief and some of these responses, you do NOT get diabetes by eating too much sugar. (source: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-myths.j... Rather, there are a number of factors involved in being susceptible to the disease, including genetics and weight.

What CAN happen is tooth decay, and fast and unhealthy weight gain...and it is the extra weight itself that increases the diabetic risk; sugar is not the direct cause. You can also increase the triglyceride levels in your blood, but there is no clear evidence that this leads to early heart attacks.

Overall, sugar really isn't as bad as the media would lead you to believe. It is VERY important, however, that it is balanced out with a healthy diet so that you get all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein your body also needs, as well as complex carbohydrates. And if you exercise intensely enough to burn off all those extra calories that sugar gives you, and take regular care of your teeth, then the need to worry is even less.

Sneaking sugary snacks into her room at midnight will lead to unhealthy levels of weight and malnutrition if she doesn't eat nutritious foods in addition to the sugar. Definitely should she consult a dietician.