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Sippy Cup Full of Soda -- How Bad?
Filed under: Opinions, Expert Advice: Toddlers & Preschoolers
"Is it just me or is every child in a stroller at this mall drinking biggie-sized soft drinks? I mean, it's practically in their sippy cups." Looking around the mall ... my friend seems to be right about this. Hmm... How bad is soda for kids?
To find out, I called Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, MD, who is a board-certified pediatrician and an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics as an official national media spokesperson (she goes by "Dr. Gwenn").
"The two issues are caffeine and sugar," Dr. Gwenn begins. "Kids who drink any sort of sugary drinks have been linked with childhood obesity because you're adding a lot of calories to a child's day." What about diet soda? Still bad, says Dr. Gwenn, "If it's diet soda, they're drinking that instead of water or milk." She lists other soda-related risks...
Cavities. "The ingredients in soda, the sugar and the sugar substitutes, wear away your tooth enamel which promotes cavities."
Poor nutrition. "Children won't be hungry because the carbonation fills them up and if you have a big glass of soda, you're consuming a lot of calories so they feel full but they haven't eaten something healthful."
Addiction. "They get hooked on the taste and begin to refuse other drinks, such as water, so you're setting yourself up for a battle every time they get thirsty. Also, caffeine is addictive and a stimulant. The kids will start to crave it and it can cause sleep issues or behavioral issues."
So is there a point at which most kids start drinking soda?
"I don't recommend they have even a sip of soda until middle school," says Dr. Gwenn. "Once kids get to be in middle school or high school you've got to loosen the reins a little bit. If they're at a party or a special event, they're starting to make their own decisions. An occasional diet soda, caffeine-free would be okay, but if they're downing liters of it that's a bigger issue. But before middle school, before 12 or 13, there's no reason for kids to have soda."
What about natural sodas?
"So-called natural-sodas are still soda. They can have a huge amount of calories and sugar and can erode your teeth--you have to read the label and compare them so you know what you're getting."
So what's left for a fizz-seeking child to drink?
"Some fizzy waters are fine, seltzer is fine, if you're flavoring your own seltzer with a few drops of lemonade that's probably fine."
Bottom line?
"You want to read the labels and be sure you're not getting a product with a ton of sugar or one that has caffeine."
If you've ever had a less-than-perfect parenting moment that has left you wondering, "How bad?" Send it to Sabrina at PrincessLPink9@aol.com. She'll try to answer as many as she can.
Sabrina Weill is the founder of the pink and princess-y gift site: PrincessLovesPink. Many of the Mommy Advisors in this column are the writer's personal or professional friends.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
2-11-2010 @ 3:37AM
Former sailor said..."The ingredients in soda, the sugar and the sugar substitutes, wear away your tooth enamel which promotes cavities." - That's strange - I wouldn't have realized that if I hadn't read it in Parentdish: apparently, sugar is good, because it wears away the tooth enamel which promotes cavities. Who'da thunk it? Tooth enamel promotes cavities!
Reply
2-27-2010 @ 6:54PM
Julie said...I must say I disagree somewhat. While I certainly didn't give my daughter a bottle of root beer as an infant, keeping them absolutely away from anything, whether it's candy, soda, or tv, makes them want it more. Most kids are going to birthday parties and restaurants with coke present by preschool, and making it a huge evil things just makes it seem more desireable. Allow a small cup occasionally, or split a can between several children, and they learn MODERATION.
3-06-2010 @ 7:35AM
Former sailor said...Julie, Julie! My comment was simply a cute, but facetious remark, making fun of the writer's poor writing skills (actually, yours aren't much better: I had to read your comment about three times before I could figure out what you were trying to say).
As for the rest of your comment: I have to strongly disagree with you. Millions of very healthy people grew up drinking soda. I certainly don't advocate letting kids drink soda with all of their meals (I'm a strong believer in milk with almost every meal), but on pizza night, a picnic, or just when the kids are "camping out" in the back yard, the rules can be loosened up a little - let them enjoy being kids!. Do you and/or Dad drink wine with your meals, or maybe a beer with your pizza or hot dogs (no,I'm not a drinker - my most recent beer was about three years ago; and I drink a LOT of milk!)? Gimme a break! "...a small cup occasionally....?" or worse yet: "...split a can between several children....?!" Come on! Better you should just forbid soda altogether, than to "split a can between several....!" Get real! This isn't poison you're giving them,or alcohol (giving alcohol to a child is definitely a form of child abuse, and should always be prosecuted!). It's a can of soda! And it's certainly safer for them than so-called "organic" foods! Give the kids a break - give them soda on a regular basis, make sure that they drink milk (ALWAYS pasteurized!) with their meals, teach them to brush their teeth after meals as much as possible, and they will grow up just fine, with all their teeth and still in good health! Don't be a punishing warden - be a loving Mom!
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10-11-2010 @ 1:28PM
r said...wow, you had to read her comment 3 times to know what it meant? Either you are exagerating greatly or you cant read because I understood it they very first time. And can't you see that she agrees with you? why are you calling her a punishing warden? You are very critical. This board is created to voice our opinions so don't shoot down someone for doing so.
10-11-2010 @ 11:43PM
Mom..Of..3 said...I understood her comment the first time I read it and I strongly agree with Julie 100 %. Either you are lacking reading comprehension or you think your witty! I strongly disagree with the latter in the previous sentence.