Should Kids Avoid Caffeine?

[clan_NEt]

This is a good article for teenagers and parents. Find out how much is too much caffeine for your kids:

http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/childrenhealth/Pages/Should-Kids-Avoid-Caffeine.aspx

 

[zspuckl]

When I was a kid I was always hopped up on caffeine from diet soda! Thanks for the info!

 

[Lee11]

Frightening amounts of children are being diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder) and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) - particularly in the western cultures. Even in Africa. There are many professionals that are asking parents to cut down on their children's caffeine, sugar, preservative and food coloring intake. More and more studies are showing the negative affects on the brain.

The quality of our fuel is very important! A little bit of most things won't kill you, unfortunately, we are living in a culture that knows very little about the concept of 'tiny quantities.'

 

[LLuDawg]

I think children and teens should be getting less caffeine. Kids shouldn't even be drinking coffee. A soda every once in a while is alright but not too often. However, there have been tons of news articles about how caffeine can actually help the body. For example I read this article about how caffeine could help prevent skin cancer. I can't say if this is true but it is never too good to have too much of something.

 

[Alli]

I think it is definitely a good idea to limit kids' consumption of caffeine. It isn't necessary and drinks with caffeine often take the place of healthier beverages. However, many of the drinks with caffeine have far worse things in them - like massive amounts of sugar- so limiting drinks like that is even more important. Perhaps a cup of green or oolong tea at the local Chinese restaurant isn't a problem, but a cola would be problematic.

 

[gosu_smurf]

I agree with @Alli, it's more important to take a step back and actually look at the overall contents of the beverage. And not get too caught up with avoiding drinks that contains caffeine.

 

[mika]

Moderation on drinks and food intake are important for everyone. Parents are the one responsible in foods consumption of their kids since they are the buyers and meal makers. And also should teach their kids what foods or drink should be avoided and what should be consumed.
Better to give kids healthy drink than coffee or soda just like milk fit for their age or needs.

 

[Germs]

Every child/teen i know definitely consumes too much caffeine, its pretty much part of our culture now.

 

[altrouge]

Good thing I don't consume too much caffeine. I haven't drank coffee for months now and I don't drink much tea either. Chocolate on the other hand is the one I consume the most out of these three but still, I don't think I eat too much of it.

 

[luXy]

no need to avoid caffeine altogether. Caffeine has some good things about it too. Just keep things in moderation.

 

[kat74]

The culture where I come from doesn't allow kids to drink coffee and we are more tea people than coffee. I grew up with tea so coffee and never an option to me.

 

[SashaJ]

I just had a conversation with a co-worker about this today. I told him I take my son for coffee on the way to school on Fridays. He questioned me and said, "Coffee? Is that good for him? you know it could stunt his growth." I replied, "My son is 14 and still growing at 6'2" so that myth is out the window." Coffee has a stigma that it stunts your growth but I am sure that the 5 hour energy drinks and soda that the kids are consuming today has way more caffeine in them than a cup of coffee. All in all I agree that things should be enjoyed in moderation.

 

[roxanne_101]

I don't think children should have coffee or soda's of any kind. I know when I was younger I was not allowed to have anything with caffeine in it. I fear that my mom will try to give it to my future children as a treat, but I'll have to ask her to avoid doing so. Who knows how their bodies will react to caffeine for the first time?

 

[UmiNoor]

No wonder my nine year old daughter is having difficulty going to sleep at night. She loves iced tea and sometimes when we go out for dinner, that is her drink of choice and when we got back home, she just can't sleep and will stay up until the wee hour of the morning. Unlike me, I don't get affected by caffeine. Even when I drink coffee, if my body feels tired, I will sleep like a log!:blush: