Quick! Five News want you thoughts on giving kids "energy drinks"

[HelenMumsnet]

Hello. Five News want to know what you think about giving children Red Bull and other high-caffeine "energy" drinks - in response to this story?

Would you let your children drink them?

Or would you horrified at the idea - and why?

[DrZeus]

Kids don't need high energy drinks - it's a marketing hype. Caffeine is definitely not a requirement in a youngsters diet, and they certainly don't need any more sugar. A balance diet and WATER is absolutely fine. I'd never give my kids an "energy" drink - no way!

[Lizzylou]

No way, my boys are perfectly feral on water and milk.
Caffeine is bad for children anyway, doesn't it inhibit iron absorption? Or something?

[ICantFindAFreeNickName]

No never. I would not even drink them myself.

[Itsjustafleshwound]

Caffeine is a stimulant and has addictive properties ... it should not be given to children.

[Jaquelinehyde]

Why not just give them a strong black coffee instead, much cheaper.

Oh yes that's right, it's because it's bad for them!

[mankyscotslass]

It wouldn't even occur to me to give my children them.

Do people actually give their kids Red Bull and such like?

My kids bounce off the walls without any extra help, plus I am sure I heard about caffeine interfering with iron absorbtion, I think my midwife warned me when I was pregnant and low on iron.

In saying that I have been known to have a Lucozade when I am feeling really worn out and need a bit of a boost.

But I can't bring myself to drink something like Red bull

[snigger]

I'd be horrified - a product that is specifically designed to induce an unnatural spike in energy and is crammed full of the right ingredients to do so is far from my idea of balanced nutrition.

Sure, they love sugar, but I don't sit them down with a double espresso in the morning so they can face the day at school - let their little nervous systems alone with the artificial stimulants.

[belgo]

No way would I give them to my children. My children are lively enough as it is.

[serenity]

Good grief, no not a chance. Too much caffeine, too many chemicals - it's a stimulant, it's an adult drink.

[PerfectPrefect]

Kids should get their energy from PRPOER food and drink

[belgo]

Is anyone on this site going to admit to giving it to their children, or at least turning a blind eye at parties etc ?

[OlympedeGouges]

I am amazed any school would allow it in their premises tbh. Bonkers.

[littlelamb]

Horrible idea. If I want dd hyped up I've discovered fizzy laces are a much cheaper option

[LyraSilvertongue]

I would never allow my children to have energy drinks. They don't need artificial stimulants and they can only be bad for them.
Besides they have enough energy of their own.

[fruitshootsandheaves]

My DD had a drink of red bull before cross country races a few times. She must have been around 14.
My DD's do take sports drinks to their training sessions (not red bull) they just seem to be full of sugar rather than caffeine thou which is probably just as bad.

Will I be pelted with sausage rolls now and have fruit shoots posted through my letterbox?

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

I don't drink them myself and would never give them to my ds's. I completely condone the schools approach.

[janeite]

I am horrified at the idea. Essentially they are stimulants and are also loaded with sugar. Our school banned them after I made a stand. I wouldn't dream of letting my children drink them and fail to see really why adults would want them either.

I love LizzyLou's comment - 'perfectly feral' is a fantastic oxymoron!

[louii]

They are dangerous enough in adults never mind children.
Wonder if any studies been done in relation to energy drinks and all these young sports playing lads who have died over the past few years?
Coincidence, i think not!

These drinks are a real pet hate of mine.

[liahgen]

nope. Children do not need energy drinks, Water is enough

[Jux]

Absolutely not. Why don't they go for alcokids instead?

[jambutty]

My children? Need energy drinks? I think not. Except for when it comes to tidying their rooms, of course. Bad for your health and completely unnecessary, IMHO. Energy drinks, that is, not tidying one's room . Agree with the school's policy if they believe there to be a direct link between bad behaviour and drinking that drink.

[ThePhantomPlopper]

Aside from the high caffeine content there are many other issues that come from drinking high energy sports drinks even for adults.

Ridiculous idea to give them to children.

[SammyK]

What did five news think we would say? It's a bit of a no brainer really isn't it!