Buzz
Photo Collection: Summer Snacks From fizzy drinks and cocoa-based beverages to fruit juices and packaged water, what your child consumes might not be as beneficial as you assume. Explore images of summer snacks.
Paul Vozdic/Workbook Stock/Getty ImagesNumerous children face a beverage-related issue that could negatively impact their health: carbonated drinks, caffeinated beverages, coffee concoctions, and even chocolate milk. From seemingly harmless flavored water to sports drinks commonly found in youth sports settings, we reveal the reality behind what your kids (and ours) are consuming. The reality is that the hidden calories and unexpected components in these and other drinks often resemble liquid sweets -- or worse. According to a University of North Carolina study, the average American consumes 450 calories daily and gains an additional 23 pounds (10 kilograms) annually from beverages alone.
When it comes to your children's beverage choices, which 10 options are the most harmful? Some of the findings might astonish you.
10: Keep It Legal
Allowing your child to taste alcohol at home might seem harmless, but it can lead to greater impairment in children compared to adults.
Peter Dazeley/Photographer's Choice/Getty ImagesThis should be obvious. Allowing your children to consume a chilled beer alongside their after-school treats is ill-advised. Additionally, in numerous U.S. states, providing alcohol to minors is a criminal offense. Even in regions where children are permitted to drink wine or beer during meals, be aware: Every sip can hinder their growth and development. The American Medical Association states that alcohol consumption in children impacts memory and disrupts learning more severely than in adults. As their developing bodies process alcohol and calories simultaneously, it can lead to rapid weight gain.
9: High Energy, High Risk
Energy drinks are designed for adult physiology, and their stimulants are typically too potent for a child's developing system.
Stockbyte/Getty ImagesYour children might find it trendy to consume a Red Bull, but are there dangers? Absolutely. A single energy drink can deliver a caffeine dose of around 100 milligrams -- nearly half the daily limit recommended for adults. Excessive caffeine can disrupt sleep patterns or even prevent sleep entirely. Moreover, some energy drinks contain ma huang, a form of ephedrine, which is another stimulant. When the effects fade, this artificial energy surge can interfere with the body's natural energy production. However, energy drinks aren't the only source of caffeine to be cautious about. Discover more in the next section.
8: Slow the Joe
While you might not serve your children a morning cup of coffee, they still consume significant amounts of caffeine from unexpected sources such as flavored frozen desserts, coffee-flavored beverages, and citrus sodas. The U.S. lacks official caffeine limits for children, but parents understand that excess is harmful. Canadian standards recommend no more than 45 milligrams daily (a single soda exceeds this). It’s tempting to order a "grande frappuccino" when kids request their own Starbucks treat, but this delivers over 200 milligrams of caffeine, far surpassing their daily limit.
For adults, it’s likely harmless. However, for growing bodies, caffeine can have serious effects. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warns that caffeine may lead to dehydration, elevate a child’s heart rate, and increase blood pressure. It can also make children restless, jittery, or moody.
7: Too-sweet Tea
Tea can be a healthy beverage choice, provided it isn’t loaded with excessive sugar.
Michael Krasowitz/Photographer's Choice/Getty ImagesUnless your children opt for decaf, consuming tea will also introduce caffeine into their system. However, unsweetened varieties of black, green, and white teas (named for the white hairs on their buds when harvested early) provide certain advantages, such as antioxidants that may aid in cancer prevention. Opt for sweetened versions, though, and your blood sugar levels could spike dramatically. One popular bottled tea contains 63 grams of added sugar, equivalent to nearly one sugar packet per ounce. Think that’s excessive? On the next page, we’ll reveal what’s lurking in a soda.
6: Shut Down the Soft Drinks
Frequently consuming soft drinks can encourage your child to avoid healthier beverage options.
Digital Vision/Getty ImagesSoda is sugary, mildly addictive, and a nightmare for dentists. Yet, the average child consumes multiple sodas daily, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, making excessive sugar a leading cause of obesity, diabetes, and other health issues. Allowing toddlers or preschoolers to drink soda can have lasting effects. A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that girls who drank soda as children continued the habit into adulthood, choosing soda over nutrient-dense beverages like milk. Don’t assume diet sodas are a safe alternative: A Purdue University study revealed that artificially sweetened sodas might also contribute to weight gain.
5: Faux Juice
While fruit is beneficial for children (and adults), fruit drinks are not. In reality, these beverages are essentially non-carbonated sodas in disguise. They lack fiber and retain few of the fruit’s original nutrients, particularly if labeled as "juice cocktail," "juice-flavored," or "juice drink."
Even 100% fruit juice isn’t an ideal option. While it contains vitamins and antioxidants, a single serving can pack as much sugar as a candy bar. Certain carbonated juice drinks contain up to 6 teaspoons (30 milliliters) of sugar—more than some sodas—along with food acids that can quickly damage a child’s teeth. To reduce the negative effects, dilute juice with water to maintain flavor while minimizing harm.
No matter which juice your child prefers, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises moderation. Limit juice intake to 12 ounces (350 milliliters) daily for most children, and no more than 6 ounces (175 milliliters) for those under 6. Excessive juice consumption leads to excess calories, contributing to obesity.
4: Milk, but Which Kind?
Ensure your child consumes only pasteurized milk.
Peter Cade/Iconica/Getty ImagesMilk is a nutritious option for most children, provided it’s not raw. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that unpasteurized milk can transmit harmful bacteria like E. coli or Listeria to kids. The same risk applies to raw juices, such as unpasteurized apple cider. Soy milk contains phytic acid, which the Weston A. Price Foundation, a health research nonprofit, notes may hinder growth in children. This brings us back to traditional cow’s milk as the safest choice. However, avoid pre-mixed chocolate milk, as a 16-ounce (450-gram) bottle can contain 10 grams of fat and 60 grams of sugar.
3: Don't Power Up the Carbs
Unless your teenager is a highly active athlete, the sugar and carbohydrates in sports drinks exceed their nutritional needs.
George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty ImagesDrinks like Gatorade are designed to energize athletes, but they come with downsides. Packed with sugar, they can contribute to weight gain and increased medical visits. While electrolytes like sodium and potassium help replenish the body after intense activities such as long-distance running or extended soccer matches, these drinks are unnecessary for less active children. The nutrients they provide don’t justify their high sugar content.
2: Water, With Flavor (but What Else?)
Plain bottled water effectively hydrates your children without introducing unnecessary additives.
Leander Baerenz/Photodisc/Getty ImagesWater is always a safe choice, isn’t it? Adding a bit of flavor might encourage your child to drink more, but be cautious: flavored waters often contain hidden ingredients. Some include added vitamins, though dietitians generally advise obtaining nutrients from a balanced diet rather than beverages. Excess vitamins like C or B are excreted through the kidneys, but overconsumption can interfere with nutrient absorption. Additionally, flavored water may contain artificial sweeteners, which experts suggest children should consume sparingly.
1: Not-so-smoothies
Smoothies made with syrups or added sugars are barely healthier than a typical milkshake.
Taxi/Getty ImagesSmoothies might appear to be an ideal drink for kids, blending real fruit with a milkshake-like taste. However, before handing out straws, beware: some smoothies can be calorie bombs, containing over 700 milligrams of sodium. While some are made with skim milk, yogurt, and fruit, avoid those with sweetened syrups, ice cream, peanut butter, or chocolate. Otherwise, your child’s smoothie might rival a double cheeseburger in unhealthy content.
