Cold Brew safe for 8th grader?

[Anonymous]

My teen drinks cold brew every morning before school and on and if she doesn’t, she says she can barely stay awake during the day and gets a headache. Is this healthy?

[Anonymous]

It has the same amount of caffeine as a Celsius energy drink – you good with that?

[Anonymous]

One cup is generally fine but now she's addicted to it and is having withdrawal symptoms if she misses a day. Although I feel her on that, seems a little young to me. I didn't rely on coffee until grad school.

[Anonymous]

She is addicted. And she is too young to be addicted. Wait until a long weekend like Presidents Day and get her to quit. In the meantime, have her move to a little less than a full cup.

[Anonymous]

Your kid is addicted to caffeine.

The headache is withdrawal.

Try switching to something with less caffeine.

How about brew at home cold brew iced tea in a water bottle (Lipton tea bags)? She could even make this in her water bottle at school.

Target sells "Good&Gather" sparkling water with no natural or artificial sweeteners and added caffeine at the Coke level of caffeine. There are at least 2 fruit flavors.

Caffeine relieves menstrual pain and can help mood. It is mildly addictive although an easier habit to break.
I think you want to get her away from any potential addictions. It ends up costing money, damaging teeth, etc.

Btw, I drank too much Coke (got hooked in college).

[Anonymous]

My 8th Grader drank cold brew. Gave up over summer before 9th Grade and never went back. I think it’s the early middle school start time that made her tired and in need of a pick me up.

[Anonymous]

Not as an everyday thing.
Is it possible they have ADHD?

[Anonymous]

What time does this kid go to bed and what time do they wake up? Do they sleep in on the days they don't have to wake up for something?

[Anonymous]

Of course it’s not okay, OP.

[Anonymous]

of course not! She needs more sleep.

[Anonymous]

OP here - she does have an ADHD diagnosis that isn't medicated, but claims she cannot focus or wake up without it. She has no trouble falling asleep, and gets 9-10 hours most nights, shocking I know for a teen! Otherwise an A-B student that plays tennis for fun maybe twice a week, not an over scheduled kid

[Anonymous]

Even my college kid—-athlete doesn’t drink coffee or caffeinated beverages.

[Anonymous]

It’s a good thing pharmaceutical companies don’t control coffee, because for most people, up to 5 cups a day is not only fine, but protective against multiple diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Adolescents are safe up to 100mg according to US research, which is the standard cup of coffee. In my home country children drink small amounts of coffee and teens drink a cup, sometimes more.

I would not take that away from an ADHD teen who feels good with it. I would be concerned that she would end up drinking energy drinks which can be quite harmful.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-reasons-why-the-right-amount-of-coffee-is-good-for-you

https://www.seattlechildrens.org/healthy-tides/why-kids-and-teens-should-avoid-energy-drinks/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - she does have an ADHD diagnosis that isn't medicated, but claims she cannot focus or wake up without it. She has no trouble falling asleep, and gets 9-10 hours most nights, shocking I know for a teen! Otherwise an A-B student that plays tennis for fun maybe twice a week, not an over scheduled kid

What about switching to half a cup, Mon through Thursday, then a break from it Fri through Sunday?

[Anonymous]

Kids with adhd sometimes drink coffee to calm down. But if its an every day thing, thats a problem.