Anyone have any info or opinions on energy drinks? DS(11) wants them but I don't like the idea of it. He has more than enough energy naturally. And certainly doesn't need any more stimulant. Just doesn't seem healthy, especially for kids. They seem to be very popular with kids though. What do you think?

I wouldn't do it. I don't even let my kids have caffeine though...plenty of energy without it! Those *energy* drinks are just double caffeine and double sugar...not good for anyone, let along children. That's my opinion though

__________________
Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

i dont let my kids have them, i think I theres some reports of teens drinking red bull or one of those before school and dieing from the caffine overload. I dont think their safe.

__________________
Books just wanna be FREE! See what I mean at:
http://bookcrossing.com

My other favorites
www.paperbackswap.com
www.wheresgeorge.com
www.geocaching.com

I personally wouldn't let my kids have 'em......but my oldest DD and DS both have friends that seem to live on them....

I will admit that I keep a case of sugar free Red Bull in my pantry, and it will last me months, but I keep it because sometimes I sleep so badly that halfway through the day I can't keep my eyes open and with a 3 and 5 year old still at home that isn't good!

__________________
Nicole

I know that different brands have varying ingredients, some are stronger. During a 12 hr wrestling tournament my 17 ds would drink 2 red bull. He is 6'3 and 195 and i do think you react differently according to size. Would i have let him drink it at 11, no. Once in awhile he will have one called Monster with ginsing, it doesnt seem to be any different than if he had mt dew.

__________________


"Never loan your car to someone you have given birth too"

My kids have tasted mine before, and I have only had one like maybe 5 times. I wont let them have their own.

I have never tried one.

I also heard the report valorian references about teens ending up on the ER and dying from caffeine overload.

Last year our middle school principal sent out a voicemail asking parents not to allow the middle school students to drink them in the morning before school. They were having problem especially the 1st 2 hours keeping their focus and attention during class.

Lisa

__________________
"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I use to drink red bull with my tequila . Not anymore! this girl cant hang with the red bull .lol
I get so mad at parents who give their kids energy drinks and then send them to school........ I ask all my kids first thing. what did you have for breakfast?.......if its sugar and or energy drinks, I call the parent and tell them to come and get the kids! NO , IF < ANDS< OR BUTS! Its my room and if you want your child to behave and not be sent home (remember , if you give them the drinks, they go home, they are now yours to take care of). I do the same if they have not had their medication. My room has been torn to shreds from kids on this drink and no meds. The combination is deadly.

Plus our school sells all kinds of pop. Mt dew codeRED, and others. I thinks its ridiculous.Take the snack machines and pop machines out of the schools. Then lets see how these kids behave for 7 hours a day with real food.

__________________
"Madison AnnMarie " 6/13/2008

http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/g...t=8652d1ea.pbr

http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/g...t=adbcb309.pbr

I don't let my kids have them-- they aren't good for adults, much less kids. If the kids have to have something besides milk and juice, I'll let them have Gatorade.

__________________
Forgiveness is love in its most noble form. -Anonymous

I found it odd that before my son was medicated (ADD) he would get sodas at lunch (yes at LUNCH, in Kindergarten, I had no clue until I asked him why he was running out of lunch money so fast) those were the better behavior days.

From what I've read, these drinks are not good for anyone to use -- much less children. What possible reason would there be for a parent to give them to kids???

In fact, it seems that some of the different brands can actually be dangerous. I've read some of the labels on them that have pretty dire warnings about not using them if you have high blood pressure, thyroid problems, etc. etc.

Thanks for all the opinions. My better judgement told me it wouldn't be good for kids, but I have never had one and didn't know much about them. I will definitely not allow them...
Sure seems like they are a big appeal for kids. Not sure why.

Caffiene is a DRUG pure and simple. Children need vitamins, nutrients, fiber, and protein. This is POISON even more so than pop and the appeal comes from ADVERTISING. We are being convinced that we need things to be cool, hip, in style, whatever and the kids fall for it the most because a child needs a "family" a "gang" so to speak that is why they all do the same thing wear the same thing eat the same thing. They desperately want to be part of the group and be accepted.
The companies that make and advertise this poison should be ashamed of themselves. They make a quick buck and our kids are becoming more and more physically and nutiritionally retarded as the years go by.

__________________
The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Believe me, I'm not sure if I even believe the following but I have heard that research shows that caffeine (much like Ritalin) can have a *calming* chemical effect for ADD/ADHD. Ritalin is used for keeping some awake (ie Narcolepsy, I knew a man who had this and took Ritalin!) and as a calming agent by others (ie ADD/ADHD). Caffeine is similar in that it works with the chemical makeup of the particular user's brain.

Weird huh.

No, I don't believe in energy drinks for myself or kids. Empty calories... Not nutritious in the least and only a precursor to drug use in later life. My opinion, of course.