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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is diet coke really bad for small children?

134 replies

AndiPandi · 18/04/2014 22:54

Read all sorts about artificial sweeteners etc, if child really wants coke (as a treat) would it be better to give normal or coke zero?

OP posts:
TinyDiamond · 18/04/2014 22:56

well they are all full of crap and have caffiene so none of them. But full fat is probably 'better'.

namechangesforthehardstuff · 18/04/2014 22:56

Or maybe something which isn't caffeinated and therefore doesn't make their heads spin round like they're in The Exorcist?

YouTheCat · 18/04/2014 22:57

Any fizzy pop, but especially those with sweeteners, are very very bad for anyone.

I let my dd have normal coke as a very rare treat - never with sweeteners.

gamerchick · 18/04/2014 22:57

Fizzy drinks aren't good for small kids.. they shouldn't get a taste for them young.

TheJumped · 18/04/2014 22:58

'No' is a complete sentence. Use it to your child in this situation.

bakingtins · 18/04/2014 22:59

Caffeine plus either loads of sugar or artificial sweeteners, it's not great for anyone, never mind a small (how small?) child. How regular a treat?

sittingatmydeskagain · 18/04/2014 22:59

I just don't get the "treat" thing. If something is bad for you, it's hardly a treat.

Original poster
AndiPandi · 18/04/2014 23:01

Age 4.

OP posts:
McPie · 18/04/2014 23:02

Full fat, just make sure there are no evil sweeteners lurking in then, as an occasional treat is not too bad. Sweeteners are pure evil for me and have been for the last 17 years, pain and bloating is not something I would wish ever on a child!

vestandknickers · 18/04/2014 23:03

Neither.

Say no.

Original poster
AndiPandi · 18/04/2014 23:04

Most things I would consider treats are 'bad' for you eg cake, chocolate, alcohol. (Not for children). That's why they are a rare treat rather than every day normal diet!

OP posts:
YouTheCat · 18/04/2014 23:04

Yes but, Sitting, if you make something forbidden then they just get it when they are older and have access to shops.

Dd had coke/lemonade very occasionally from about 5. It was a treat. She is 19 now and isn't bothered about fizzy drinks and has perfect teeth. Same goes for booze (though not at 5) - but it has no novelty factor and so she only drinks it on rare occasions.

Tallypet · 18/04/2014 23:06

No. Four is far too young for this crap. Juice (very weak) or water is fine.

You're lining yourself up for trouble.

RayofSun · 18/04/2014 23:06

All fizzy drinks are really acidic so regardless of the sugar content they are really damaging to teeth, especially baby teeth!

squoosh · 18/04/2014 23:07

It's a treat because it tastes nice, the nutritional value does not factor when considering a treat. A glass once a week won't kill them but people seem to develop a weird addiction to Diet Coke.

Alisvolatpropiis · 18/04/2014 23:09

I think aspartame (the sweetener in it) is actually a long form of evil in health speak.

I am a fully signed up diet coke addict. I don't think I'd give it to my child.

AryaOfHouseSnark · 18/04/2014 23:09

It depends, my Dts have had a slurp of someone else's come at parties or the pub. [best mum eva] it's not the sort of thing we have at home or as as treat, but if they wanted to try some of either I wouldn't worry about it.

I honestly don't know if diet is any better than normal, or vice versa, everyone seems to have a different opinion On it.

Alisvolatpropiis · 18/04/2014 23:11

Like me squoosh! I can't go a day without it. I'm sure if I got my caffeine fix from tea or coffee I wouldn't be so bad, but I don't like either of them. I really just give up. I've seen what this stuff does to dirty pennies and I'm drinking it.

NurseyWursey · 18/04/2014 23:13

Four year olds don't need coke as a treat

Passmethecrisps · 18/04/2014 23:13

I would avoid it if at all possible for no other reason that it is easy to avoid. And clearly does harm. It is only a treat if the child sees it as such so if you can forestall the issue then do so with diluting squash

Original poster
AndiPandi · 18/04/2014 23:13

Not my child, friend seems to think it's better to give her DD diet coke. I was surprised due to the sweeteners. Trying not to be judgey pants about coke to a 4 yr old but wondered if I'd got the whole sweeteners thing wrong. Given the choice for myself I now choose normal after reading facebook posts about diet drinks.

OP posts:
sittingatmydeskagain · 18/04/2014 23:19

Of course they may choose to buy coke when they're older, but I don't want to waste my money on it now.

I was completely addicted to Coke when I was a teenager, and weaning myself off it was a nightmare. Diet Coke tastes
strange and artificial. I still don't think the argument that giving it to a four year old stops them drinking it when they are older. It just gives them a taste for it.

NeedsAsockamnesty · 18/04/2014 23:19

Does the none diet one come in caffeine free?

themockingjay · 18/04/2014 23:19

bad mother alert... my ds 3 very drank half a mug of coffee a few weeks back.

I was half way through drinking it and my baby started crying went to check she was ok gave her a cuddle, turned round and ds had finshed my coffee....lordy I was frazzled by the time my dh got home Grin

worst think is every time I make a drink of coffee now he brings his water beaker over in an.attempt to trade and cries when I wont...

As a one off op I'm sure its ok. When I was pregnant I had severe hyperemesis I was in hospital for 20 weeks. The consultant told me to eat / drink whatever I wanted but Stressed to buy the full sugar version of drinks as they didn't contain unnecessary chemicals.

squoosh · 18/04/2014 23:21

No they don't need it as a treat but it's hardly the end of the world if they snaffle some.

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