Do your children drink soda?

Maureen - posted on 08/05/2012

Soda Nazi.... Lots of things can make people fat. Soda, like everything else in moderation. My kids drink soda occasionally, parties, movies, restaurants and they are skin and bones!

Sharon - posted on 01/04/2012

Yes. My 7 year old daughter gets to have soda anytime we eat out and on occasion we have it at our house. Also, when she visits grandma she gets to have soda too. I have to tell you that my daughter has been drinking soda since she was 5 yrs old and she is in no way chubby, fat or overweight. It's safe to say that rule doesnt apply to all children.

Katie - posted on 01/03/2012

Hello, I am the soda Nazi. No. Nope. Nada. None. I have a five and eight year old and so far I've managed to keep a single sip from reaching their mouths. I've read so much research on soda and how awful it is for children that my head hurts. Why pour that stuff down your child's throat? If you want a fat kid, you'll allow soda. A new study from Harvard said cutting out that ONE soda a day or every other day is enough to kickstart weight loss in your child. That soda is the worst possible thing you could give a child short of an illegal substance. Childrens bodies can't metabolize soda fast enough and that sugar makes them fat....fast. Just for my own research purposes, anytime I see a fat kid (if I'm friendly with the mother and if the timing is good and she won't realize what I'm doing)- I ask, "How many sodas a day do you allow?" ...I don't bother to ask IF she allows soda...the mother always proudly answers, oh just one! When you know it's more than one.
One is enough. If your child is fat there is nobody to blame but you and the soda maker. If you have a thin child and still give that child soda, you are robbing the child of an opportunity to eat something healthy. Like I said, I'm the soda Nazi. My children won't have it until they graduate high school and move out on their own. They have no idea what it tastes like, they never ask for it...I'm thinking by the time they get around to tasting it ...it will be outlawed or it will be a gross and unnatural drink for them so they won't like it or "trust" the carbonation.

Carlie - posted on 12/05/2011

Yes. However, I only allow my daughter to drink soda if it's caffeine free: Sprite, Root Beer, Fruit Punch, etc. She is also only allowed a small cup and if she wants a refill, then it has to be water or PowerAde. She is almost always only allowed this kind of drink on weekends (unless it's a special occasion during the school week). Everyone is entitled to their own parenting plan. However, I think children should be allowed "no-no" things at least once. I mean think about it: "Honey...eat your green beans please, come on....just TRY it...." Umm. Yeah. Same difference you see? It's GOOD for you right? Well, soda isn't GOOD for them...but they want to have something not so good for them once in awhile....THEY also think GREEN BEANS aren't so good for them.....but we teach them to TRY it at least right? What's the harm mama?

Also....I think soda, chips, candy, etc....is ok in small quantities once in awhile....but what's NOT OK?

Soda, tea, etc...in a BABY'S bottle.....PET PEEVE. really parents? YOU KNOW BETTER.....'nuff said. :)

Michele - posted on 01/26/2011

Hey nancy, greatr question. My mother offerd it to my children about 1.5 years ago (6 and 3 year old now) and my youngest loves it and my oldest hates it. The only time we have soda in the house is for special occassions like parties and get togethers. But I am not against giving children a little soda, just not as the usual beverage. There are so many beverages and food items on the market today that children are consuming yet no one is up in arms about those items. Here is where I stand, if my children are healthy, active, and well behaved, I am not going to sweat the other stuff. Everything in moderation. If I hide it and never let them have it, it may spiral out of control when they are older and make their own decisions.

Tammy - posted on 01/26/2011

Oh and depends on age too. Soda in a bottle as I saw further down is probably never good.

Tammy - posted on 01/26/2011

All thing are ok in moderation. Be careful of making the forbidden fruit tempting as the children grow older and gain indepedence. Alot of milk and even alot of water (that would have to be ALOT!!) isn't good for kids either.

Michelle - posted on 01/26/2011

no soda at all. No fruit juice either. Milk or water for my little girl.

Stephanie - posted on 01/26/2011

My kids do drink soda but not that much there is a limit to how much we let them have. Some say no soda it's bad well considering all the junk that is put in food. Both my kids would rather have milk anyway.

Melissa - posted on 01/26/2011

My kids very rarely get soda and it's never a whole one. Sometimes we do let them have a sip of ours, but not very often (we don't drink it much either).

Louise - posted on 01/25/2011

I'm of the belief that if you're not given something you won't miss it. Kids won't look for soda if they don't know what it is. My hubby drinks it I don't. And they know it as daddies drink. Never once have they looked for some. My kids are 5 and 21 months.

A good tip is to get the dilutable squash and make it with sparkling water. It's still fizzy so has the feel of the soda but is pretty much the same as if you had made it with normal water. For a party have several flavors and let the kids pick.

Lani - posted on 01/25/2011

Our kids only drink sprite...when we are out and about at a family reunion or whatever. They are not allowed to have dark soda's at all. Mostly the kids drink water and ocassionally bottles of water with singles in them. However, keep in mind that though the singles are sugar free...they DO have aspertame in them.

Rumbidzai - posted on 01/24/2011

as dental nurse l would say no for many reasons regarding to feture dental problems

Sandy - posted on 01/24/2011

Only on occasion he will have Sprite or Gingerale, but not often. I think the last time was a sip at Christmas.

Carole - posted on 01/24/2011

No soda in the house. However, I do not make it a steadfast ruleor absolute no - My daughter will even call when she is at a friends house and ask permission to have soda. We also allow it occasionally at a restuarant . . .but I have found that tho she says she wants it, she rarely drinks more than a couple of sips.

Danica - posted on 01/24/2011

No, I LOVE diet coke and drink a lot of it...I don't like coffee. I have always told my daughter (now almost 10) that soda is an adult drink and never allowed her to have it. Now she will say she doesn't like it, though to be honest I am not sure she has ever tried it. I never liked soda until college when I was embarassed on dates that I would only order milk and therefore "learned" to like Diet Coke...I don't like any other soda and really prefer coke to pepsi...weird, I know!

Amber - posted on 01/22/2011

I won't be giving my LO soda for a long time. I can't stand seeing children with BOTTLES full of soda. If your child can't drink from a cup they should not have soda.

Elena - posted on 01/21/2011

thanks, i think people not always honest

Fran - posted on 01/21/2011

Giving a child artificial sweetners instead of real sugar in my opinion is a lot worse. My kids have the occasional soda, mostly clear caffeine free ones but if I am having a Pepsi I will let them have a sit. My kids always had milk and water as primary beverages and I think Juice is not a good idea at all. Like Soda, Juice should be given in moderation. Nothing bothers me more than seeing a baby with a bottle full of juice. Makes me cringe.

Amanda - posted on 01/21/2011

Thank you engela!!! my point exactly they are still alive. You only live once so you might as well have fun

Amanda - posted on 01/21/2011

I let my daughter drink soda...not alot but sometimes, well mainly her daddy gives it to her because im at work but I dont see the big deal about a little bit of soda, its not gonna kill the kid.

Nancy - posted on 01/21/2011

I know what you mean Stephanie! Dr Pepper just has that neat unique taste. I don't drink it anymore myself. :(



ALSO: I agree alot with Tiffany. I was not allowed to have quite a few things as a child. Maybe on special occasions, sundaes, pop, etc. I went hog wild when I left home. I remember eatting a whole jar of black olives once. I just LOVED Black olives. Oh my goodness was I sick for days!! Moderation is a great key!



It's nice to see so many peoples great comments. Thanks!

Renee - posted on 01/20/2011

I do not drink soda an neither do my kids. My husband is addicted to it however.

Rose - posted on 01/19/2011

Hi Nancy,

My baby doesn't drink soda or any fizzy drinks. I prefer to give him natural home blended juice. Its not healthy really because of the amount of sugar in them. I trained him early to drink plain water. Trust me you'll be doing the kids a huge favor by not giving them soda.

Kalpana - posted on 01/18/2011

My husband is a big fan but we don't have it around the house unless we have people over. Even then my son now 5 1/2 gets a few sips without ice!

When we are out, then he might get more but it's not very often and there is water everywhere anyway.

Jen - posted on 01/18/2011

My daughter is 9, and she has had one cup of Sprite when her cousin offered it to her. Otherwise, she has never had soda.

Sylvia - posted on 01/17/2011

No. DH and I drink pop maybe once every month or two -- we almost never have it in the house -- so she hasn't been exposed to it much. Even better, she tried a sip of root beer once when she was very small and hated the fizzy feeling, and now she tells everyone she doesn't like fizzy drinks!

She does, however, sometimes drink iced tea, which is probably not a lot better :P

Emily - posted on 01/17/2011

We don't keep soda in the house but I have given my daughter (17 months) about half a straw full to see what she thought and she hated it! The only time I got soda growing up was sprite and juice mixed together when I was sick so it was a treat. That is a tradition I plan to continue.

Tiffany - posted on 01/17/2011

My sons are allowed one 10 oz soda when we go out to eat and then they have to switch to water. My 15 mo daughter has had a sip here or there but never more than an oz. I feel that if you flat-out forbid a child to have something then they will want it that much more...but in moderation they won't beg for it. Honestly, they like juice more than soda.

Stephanie - posted on 01/17/2011

I love Diet Dr. Pepper but I have been trying to wean myself off of it so that my daughter (11months) doesnt see me drinking it and then want it. I dont plan to ever give her soda and the only thing that she has had other than formula, water or diluted juice has been sweet tea (not by my choice) we live in the south and Sweet Tea is a staple here and one of my friends gave it to her. She hasnt had it since tho.

Sara - posted on 01/17/2011

No I do not even drink soda

Nancy - posted on 01/17/2011

There will be a Doctors formula alternative for children but not until Mid February. I'll post it on a message when I have more info. :)

Nancy - posted on 01/17/2011

I agree on your comments about the artificial sweeteners. Not for kids! Thanks for all the great feedback too!

Jen - posted on 01/17/2011

If my daughter drinks soda (which isn't very often) she gets caffeine free. I don't allow her to have anything with caffeine in it at all. I don't really like her drinking soda b/c of all the sugar in it, but she gets it occasionally (she's 10).

Amanda - posted on 01/16/2011

My family is a non-soda family!!

Engela - posted on 01/16/2011

That's funny Elena! Lol it's a bit annoying when people think they are better parents for this, my husbands cousin is so uptight about thigns like that, no biscuits, no pop, no tv only books, life is too short in moderation will do no harm, i gave my 1 1/2 year old a sip she liked it but i wont' give her every day or bottles full, she's still alive WOW! I'm a great mum giving them a sip doesn't make us bad, we are jsut a bit more relaxed and allowing our children some freedom and fun, good luck to you all!

Elena - posted on 01/16/2011

My husband got my kids hoocked on coke. (I know I am bad mother)

Brendapam - posted on 01/15/2011

I drink soda and do have it in my house but I will not let my son have any till he is at least 10 years old he is 4 now

Kathy - posted on 01/15/2011

we don't... we do keep pop in the house and we drink it but we don't give it to her... However when my MIL was helping us with her while planning my moms funeral we caught her giving our daughter DIET pop... I'm not too crazy about her getting aspartame, even more so than sugary pops, but my MIL brushed it off as being ok because its not sugar... But as we allow our daughter only gets milk, water and sometimes highly watered down apple juice. As a treat I'll mix 1/4 chocolate milk (reduced sugar stuff) and 3/4 white milk for her

Iona - posted on 01/15/2011

My daughter (almost 2) is addicted to "Pop pop soda" (my dad is pop pop and he introduced it). But, what she calls soda is seltzer water, so I have allowed her to have it, but not until lunch each day. She thinks her soda is just great! As for regular soda, she's had a sip or two, but that is all I intend for her to have now that she loves her soda!

Dora - posted on 01/15/2011

I am a full time working mom and against my son drinking soda. It has no health benefit so I will not give it to him. If he wants it when he is older then that is a decision he can make. For now he is allowed milk and water. He is also only 2 1/2 yrs old.

Sapphire - posted on 01/15/2011

We don't keep soda in teh house, so if we go out we let our almost 6 year old son have Sprite. But like us, one glass and then switch to water.

Crystal - posted on 01/15/2011

I don't drink it, so its never been in the house. The couple times she's tried it, the bubbles burn her nose and she hates it. It's never become this "special" thing only to be had on "special" occasions... it just makes it that more addictive when you're not watching. She just likes her milk and juice (real juice)... better.

Eileen - posted on 01/14/2011

I did not let mine have any until they were 12.

Susan - posted on 01/14/2011

No, no soda at all, but my daughter is only 2.5. I don't think we will give her soda until she is much older. I don't think kids need soda. She only gets a small amount of juice even - it's a cup of water with a splash of 100% juice to give it some flavor. My husband and I and both our families drink soda, but we have made it clear our daughter is not to have any. There was one time about a year ago when my mother-in-law gave her a few sips from her glass. That has not happened again after my husband reemed her out for that.

Bradi - posted on 01/13/2011

Sprite ONLY on special occasions. It's like gasoline... Uck!

Amy - posted on 01/13/2011

No, when they get a little older we might let them have some from time to time but in general a big fat no.

Our son is 2 1/2 and to be honest he's had some soda pop from time to time, that's when were at places that either don't have juice or milk or are out of it. He's also gotten a few sips from us. We have cut it out of our diet and as they get older were hoping to keep it out of the house.

Tah - posted on 01/12/2011

I don't buy soda, my husband may get a root beer if he's a good boy..lol. I have cut the juice way back, I buy the crystal light packs and some other sugar free packets and let them put them in the bottled water.

Amy - posted on 01/12/2011

My son gets it but not from me. My husband drinks soda and gives it to him and so do both sets of grandparents. He doesn't ask me for it because I don't drink it and he knows I'm not opening a can of soda just for him, I am certainly not happy that he drinks it but I'm not going to tell my husband he can't have soda in the house.

Lauren - posted on 01/12/2011

Both my husband and I do not drink pop, therefore we wouldn't have it around for our kids to drink. If we were to have it, it would be as a "special occasion." For example something that I love to have is a RootBeer Float!