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Crystal Light for kids?
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Anonymous
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I have a friend with two children; a five year old girl and a six year old boy. They are both overweight, as is my friend. In an effort to cut down on their milk and calorie consumption (though their weight issues are also a byproduct of their food choices) my friend has taken to making a pitcher of Crystal Light iced tea and giving them that as their primary drink.
I have stayed out of it, because I do believe it is basically none of my business. Also as her friend I know that her weight struggles are deep and she has unfortunately unleashed many of them on her kids, which is why they are overweight (her DD for instance was 50 lbs at three and is only in the 50% percentile for height...we are talking about child obesity not some vain obsession with looks on my part). I know her doctor wanted her to get them to drink less whole milk, but I'm thinking this was not the way he/she had in mind. They drink at least 24 oz of crystal lite a day. I have tried to be nonjudgemental and in her own struggles with weight I think I've been successful. I have my own issues too (not with weight but with other areas of my life). But it is so painful to watch her so throughly screw up her kids! They are smart and nice kids...but they are both already obese and with no end in sight. Do I do anything as a friend? Or do I just continue to stay out of it? And if I do something, what? I've never commented on the crystal light...but I have served her daughter water with lemon peel and grated ginger and my house and she liked it. Maybe I could suggest that? She is a smart and interesting person...I just don't get it! When your friends have kids it can complicate things I guess. |
Anonymous
| Nope - you say nothing. its a terrible idea on her part, but you say nothing. MYOB. |
Anonymous
| I agree with 11:07. I bet she has bigger issues than Crystal Light if they are obese... |
Anonymous
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If she opens the conversation, you can offer your thoughts. ("Oh, the doc said to cut calories through beverages? My kids like lemon and ginger in plain water.")
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Anonymous
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It seems like the issue is bigger then just Crystal Light - she may not really understand healthy eating to begin with. It's actually healthier for them to drink 2% or skim milk and water then Crystal Light.
However, it's not really your business unless she asks. If she does ask, you can give your ideas. You could also tell her kids if they like something at your house to tell their mom about it so she can make it for them at home. |
Anonymous
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Am I missing something? I mean, iced tea for kids would not be good if it had caffeine.
But your concern is the weight stuff, right? Crystal Lite (which I do not drink) has no calories, right? So how is water with lemon or ginger more likely to help them with their weight issues? And why is Crystal Lite unhealthy? I say this as someone who does not drink it (I drink water). I don't know, OP. I think you need to save your concern for bigger issues than this... |
Anonymous
I am assuming OP is concerned with the artificial sweeteners, which aren't good for anyone, but really aren't good for young children. That stuff (artificial sweeteners) have also been shown to contribute to obesity, I believe, but I thinki it is more the nast chemicals at issue here. |
Anonymous
The artificial sweeteners and coloring aren't healthy. It may not contain calories, but it contains a lot of other junk. Water with lemon and ginger doesn't contain any of that and also would be zero calorie. Drinking a pitcher of Crystal Light is terrible. They'd be better off drinking water and milk, eating healthy in general, and getting physical exercise. |
Anonymous
| No, it's not ideal to give your kids Crystal Light. It's also not rat poison. MYOB. |
Anonymous
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Crystal Light has aspartame, right? If it were my friend, I'd say something to her like, "you know, I just saw an article about aspartame--which is in Crystal Light--and how there's a big debate about whether it's actually less healthy than sugar. I find that my kids really like water with ginger and lemon in it." If she asks, you can say more, or perhaps she'll research it. But beyond that, it's her choice.
And if you're really concerned about the artificial sweeteners, I'd look at what you can do to work against them more broadly. That way you can help all the other moms and kids in the world and not just focus all your worry on your friend's decisions. |
Anonymous
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I will start this by saying that I drink Diet Coke. I actually would rather not, but it is a vice, and I do not drink coffee.
I do not let my children have artificial sweeteners at all. I did hear a radio report that artificial sweeteners actually do cause a person to eat more. It was something to the effect of the artificial sweeteners give the brain the sensation of sweet, without the reward, so it ends up making people hungrier. (sorry for the very unscientific explanation). Your heart is in the right place. But intervening could be tough. If she has confided in you the details about the children, and what the doc is suggesting, then you must be a pretty close friend. My suggestion, if it comes up again, have ready some more specific info about the study I mentioned, or mention the lemon/ginger water. Another suggestion is to suggest that you guys all get together for a weekly walk on a regular evening, or something like that. |