I have always had around 10 a day, sometimes more sometimes less, but they are there to be enjoyed. You may lose weight faster if you don't have them, as syns are only extra calories after all, but everyone needs a little treat here and there! People who don't have them may find that further on down the line, they begin to crave the foods they have forbidden themselves from having and then have a binge. I know that SW like to tell us that the 'synergy' of syns, free foods and HEs have some kind of magical properties when put together, but we all know that's a load of claptrap.