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Am I a Coke prude?

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

44651-hi-IZZEfamily

I need a reality check, people. I will start with a disclaimer that I have never ever had a Coke or Pepsi! Ever! I am a water drinker. I also like unsweetened iced tea with lemon and one cup of coffee a day (which the doc is making me give up now too!!! insert cuss word here...).

Anyway, back to my point. When I was picking Will up from his middle school youth group at our church last night, I noticed several bottles of Coke and Dr. Pepper and one or two bottles of Sprite. This made me CRAZY! Parents provide the snacks and drinks and I was a little (okay, a lot) upset that parents would bring Coke as the drink for kids. When Will came out I was THRILLED to see he had the Sprite in his cup but I was still upset.

Really? Do 11, 12 and 13 year old kids need caffeine on a school night? Do they need all that sugar or caffeine ever? I think it is kind of bad parenting to give kids Coke. I really do. Yes, I know there are bigger issues that we face as we parent teens but this is still not good.

I am strongly opposed to kids drinking soda on a regular basis but we do allow our kids Izze or Sprite as a very special treat. I did ask the youth director (who is single, young and does not have kids yet) about this and she said..."Oh you must be like my sister. She only lets her kids eat healthy, organic stuff too." I never mentioned organic. I just don't think they need COKE! I started to wonder if I am the weird one here.

I told Will when we got home that I was proud of him for choosing the Sprite. He said, "Mom I don't want to drink Coke. You told me it can eat the paint off stuff." Yes, I do tell them that. It can. And if it can eat through paint...what do you think it does to your insides? or your teeth? As an aside, none of my kids has ever had a cavity. Nor have I.

So, then I asked a few parents (casually) if their kids drink caffeinated sodas and a lot of them do. I begin to wonder...am I a Coke prude? Does everyone else think it is okay to give kids, huge amounts of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, aspartame and caffeine?

So, anyway, I am curious if I am just overreacting here? You can tell me. It won't hurt my feelings. And it won't change my decision that when it is my turn to bring drinks and snacks....I am bringing bottled water and Izze. Seriously, how can we expect kids to make good and healthy choices if we don't give them good and healthy options? Okay stepping off my soapbox now!

What is Izze?

70 percent pure fruit juice and a splash of sparkling water, with no added sugar, caffeine or preservatives.

And just what is so unhealthy about Coke? Well, read here.

66 comments:

  1. Bless your heart for parenting your kiddo's the way you see fit and not the way "everyone else is doing it"!

    I LOVE Coke! I have always struggled with my weight and have lots of dental appointments. I have had 4 back surgeries and the surgeon said that caffeine causes muscle spasms in my back. I am doing better about not drink them but wish I'd never tasted one to begin with!

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  2. I agree with you.

    My girls have never had a soda, apple juice or anything other than milk and water. Never. They have had chocolate milk though . . .

    I, on the other hand, love ginger ale. Love it. And one can of Pepsi knocks out a bad headache before I can even finish it.

    But I've never, ever had a cup of coffee and don't have any caffeine unless it's the already-mentioned can of Pepsi as a headache cure.

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  3. We didn't give our kids any pop until recently , they really hated it when they tried it ,because of the fizziness, I do let them have whatever pop they want when we are out but around the house we don't tend to keep pop ,its just empty calories , but I do enjoy it just the same , I have to keep it out of the house because my husband will drink it by the gallon , I am more of a pepsi girl , but my fave is Dr. Pepper.
    My oldest just complained the other day that we don;t have a fridge full of pop like all her other friends , so I am somewhere in between .
    I can not believe you haven't ever had a coke or pepsi , amazing

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  4. I am a Coke lover... now with that being said, I do not drink them in excess. I cannot believe you have never ever had a Coke... that is amazing.

    I don't think they are nearly as bad as you are describing.... to each their own I guess...

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  5. I am a Coke lover... now with that being said, I do not drink them in excess. I cannot believe you have never ever had a Coke... that is amazing.

    I don't think they are nearly as bad as you are describing.... to each their own I guess...

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  6. I agree that Coke is not healthy. However, you might want to check out this Snopes article: http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/acid.asp (Ehow.com is not a good reference, trust me). Plus, I'm confused as to why you think Sprite is a better choice? The only real difference between Sprite and Coke is the caffeine and the color. Since you only mentioned the caffeine as being an issue, I'll point out that they do make caffeine-free Coke. Not that I think it's a good choice either though. LOL! Anyway, not trying to disagree with you at all. Just putting some other facts out there.

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  7. We don't normally let ours have soft drinks and we encourage water and milk over anything. I'd rather they eat fruit than drink juice even. But, if they have it once in a while at a party, I let it go. I think it might even be good because it gives a chance to talk about healthy choices. You are doing a great job with yours at home and they will make good choices when they are with friends.

    Don't sweat it as far as YOUR babies are concerned. I do feel bad for those other children though. You know Coke is the tip of the iceberg. Those are the kind of kids who don't have bedtimes, etc.

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  8. No Coke for our girls, actually never anything with caffeine. They're "active" (cough cough) enough already, and just don't need anything else. They drink water all day long, and sometimes at restaurants we give them an extra special treat and let them have lemonade or orange juice. Wheeeee. Heh heh. By the way, my husband is a Texan, and they're practically born with Coke or Ice Tea in their hands, so you can imagine the go-rounds we've had about this.

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  9. I am with you! But, yes, everyone else does let their kids eat all that! I see it at church too and it really makes me mad! It really is ironic that at church, where we are trying to put in good stuff in their souls and minds, yet pay no attention to their bodies. OH, I could go on and on! Urghhh!
    Sorry! LOL
    Tamara

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  10. Amy,

    Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your perspective because I truly do wonder if I am overreacting.

    I do have better sources for how unhealthy coke is but they are more clinical and more difficult to read. I do not think Sprite is a healthy choice at all but it was MUCH better than the other options (Coke and Dr. Pepper)--it does not have caffeine and caffeine to me is the worst thing for kids. Our kids drink water the majority of the time. They also drink Rice milk and the rare sparkling water, Izze. lemonade or Sprite.

    And I did check the Snopes article and saw no real facts or verification. There is no getting around the fact that sugar, high fructose corn syrup and caffeine are bad for kids.

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  11. Nope, no Coke for kids here either (Derek and I do have them occasionally when we're out, but we don't keep them in the house). Sprite is OK in moderation, but again, only if we're out and it's something special. Jacey and I had our first fight in China over Coke and I hated it, but I was determined to break that habit immediately. What kills me more is seeing kids walking around with Red Bulls and those nasty Monster drinks in their hand. What on earth? I wouldn't drink those, let alone let my kids have them!

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  12. Unfortunately, I am addicted to Dr. Pepper.

    However, my kids only get soda every now and then as a treat -- and sometimes at restaurants, etc. We mainly try to stick to flavored water for them (they love Propel and Roarin' Waters Capri Sun, some juice, and milk.

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  13. You go girl. You know how I feel about the subject. You are right on about the soft drinks. DONT compromise your standards!!! Lots of love, T

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  14. When I was a kid, my mom never allowed me to have soda. I think once or twice when we were at other people's houses I had orange or grape soda. I never had cola or white soda though and did not develop a taste for it. I have had it as an adult, but don't care for it. (I don't buy it for my kids either.) And you are right, it can eat the paint off things. My friend used sprite to remove wall paper! :) I think your church should offer a variety of choices, but at least you know that Will is taking your advice to heart and making good choices. It's a good snap shot of the positive decisions he will make when he is faced with harder choices than soda. So, to me, no, you are not a coke prude, but some people LOVE their soda, pop, or whatever they call it in their part of the world!

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  15. Well I think the answer is yes and now. I do think that many kids are drinking sodas and they start younger and younger. In poor areas of the country, it is an epidemic and kids teeth are falling out. The bottom line is that its cheap and sweet.

    So I don't think you are being a "coke prude" but I don't think it's unheard of either. Is it possible to send your kids with their own drink- maybe an Izzy or a water bottle of their own- so that they are less tempted to drink sodas?

    When I was in the fourth grade we did a class experiment that I remember to this day. We took small cups filled with a variety of drinks- lots were sodas. And placed a tooth- our teacher must have had some dental hook up I guess. Two weeks later we looked at them again and the soda totally rotted away the teeth. That was a LOT of years ago and I still remember it today.

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  16. Well, I applaud your diligence in doing what is best for yourself and your children. With that said, Kim my dear, I am drinking a McDonald's diet coke right now! I am addicted. Sad, very sad! Paige drinks juioe, milk and water most of the time, but I do let her drink soda on the weekends. She is allowed one a day. I definitely think you are in the minority, but I don't think it's wrong. To each their own :) That's what makes the world go round! We love Izze, too!!! YUM!

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  17. Well, I applaud your diligence in doing what is best for yourself and your children. With that said, Kim my dear, I am drinking a McDonald's diet coke right now! I am addicted. Sad, very sad! Paige drinks juioe, milk and water most of the time, but I do let her drink soda on the weekends. She is allowed one a day. I definitely think you are in the minority, but I don't think it's wrong. To each their own :) That's what makes the world go round! We love Izze, too!!! YUM!

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  18. No soda here. I told my kids that if you clean a car battery with it it should not go in your body. DH is a soda drinker and my kids who are no adults and can choose for themselves now do drink it. I was a daycare mom and then a Nanny for 25 years and never allowed the kids in my care to have soda and juice on occasionally.

    This is my first comment but I have been following your blog for several months. Your photos are beautiful. We DH came to me in January and told me he was going to apply for a promotion in his company that would require a move to Houston. I told him to go for it. Your family seems so happy and you seem to have a wonderful sense of community even in the big city. He got the job and I have begun the long distance house hunt. Unlike your family DH and I have lived in the same place for most of our lives. I am looking forward to the adventure. Thank you!

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  19. Oh and I am a big big fan of the sparkling waters- they come in cans just like soda and in all sorts of fun flavors like lime and raspberry and black cherry. No sugar, color or caffeine. Would you feel better if you sent your kids with their own drink and one that would blend in better as it is in a soda size can?

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  20. Oh and I am a big big fan of the sparkling waters- they come in cans just like soda and in all sorts of fun flavors like lime and raspberry and black cherry. No sugar, color or caffeine. Would you feel better if you sent your kids with their own drink and one that would blend in better as it is in a soda size can?

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  21. Missy---you made me laugh:) I am picturing that McDonald's diet coke in your hand:) Thank you for your honesty:0

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  22. My kids are constantly asking for soda. We only allow a sprite or rootbeer (caffeine free) if we are out but encourage chocolate milk for the treat instead. Absolutely none for the 3 year old. I am a big high fructose corn syrup freak, I won't allow it in my house (at least I try very hard)

    Amy

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  23. I have been drinking coke since I can remember! However, my nutritionist just made me give up all soda. However, he also made me give up juice and is limiting my fruit intake to 1 a day. He explained that while coke is terrible, fruit juices (even the no sugar added) are nothing but sugar and should be avoided for the most part. I even asked him about juicing and he said, it leaves the healthy part behind and the only way I can have fruit juice is if I place the entire fruit in the blender, so as not to leave the nutritious part of the fruit behind. He has even limited my milk consumption to "only if absolutely necessary" and advised me to get calcium in another form. So these days, it is water and an occasional cup of coffee...which I now drink black since I can't have milk in it :)

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  24. I love Dr. Pepper, but Landree has NEVER had any coke or sprite or anything like that! When she sees friends drinking sweet tea or something other than water or milk she will comment on how it's not for little girls :) I have her brain washed. Bless her heart when we switched to almond milk (probably at least 18 months ago) she would comment on how cow's milk was a special treat. :)

    So I agree, but also know that it's not very realistic to think they won't have cokes at youth group :( Jeff struggles with that too-what's cheap and easy for 6th graders to bring to events are cokes and chips. I think if you want Will to have healthy options you have to be willing to send them-which I am sure you are willing to do. It just takes parents putting forth a little effort.

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  25. No soda here for my kids either....milk, OJ, water or gatorade. It is just to unhealthy.....I will have a soda from time to time....but I find I usually feel lousy after drinking it....I even drink 1/2 the caffeine foldgers coffee.....

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  26. Mind you, I don't always follow his advice, but my dad always said, "Everything in moderation". If you are feeding your kids healthy choices when they are at home, then once in awhile, when they are away from home, it's not going to hurt then to have something "special" or "bad for them". Just my humble opinion. :)

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  27. Girl...You are cracking me up! You know I drink Coke almost everyday. I don't let the boys drink it all the time, but I do let them drink it some. As far as kid "get togethers" go...it's always coke and pizza. Always. I so appreciate your stance on what the kids eat and drink. I think the only thing you can do is continue to encourage your boys to make healthy choices. Around here, there are kids walking around with Red Bull drinks. I don't get that.

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  28. I love diet coke... I allow my 10 year old to drink soda, but he balances it out with milk, and water and other healthy foods. As for the caffeine we usually have the non caffeine type.. He is very healthy, athletic and hardly gets sick (thank goodness). I think it is a personal choice and I don't spend any time fretting over this type of thing..too much else to worry about.. Oh I could not give up my coffee.. why are you being told to give up your one cup?? There have been several new studies saying that coffee can actually be good for you....
    good luck with that.
    Lisa

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  29. We let our kids have diet/caffeine free soda on the weekends only. Unfortunately, they see us drink it so they want it too. However, they prefer milk and juice.

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  30. We prefer water and so do our kids. We do not drink Pop and therefore our kids do not too.

    It always makes me proud when our kids ask for water when they are with others. One of my best friends has always done this and before we had kids we thought we wanted to be just like the Watsons......

    So I do not think what you are doing is Great!

    By the way Sophies bday cake turned out great. I am way behind on the photos but when I get them posted I will let you know. Thanks again for sharing your photo of Kate's cake with me.

    Love your blog!

    xoxo Michele

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  31. I say good for you. I see so many kids who seem to be addicted to sugary drinks and foods. I do love an occasional Pepsi and Hubby and I drink (semi)sweet-tea with dinner every night. But we do not have sodas or sugary drinks in the house. Kerry drinks 100% no sugar added fruit juice (because she refuses fruit in it's whole form) water, organic milk (sometimes with some strawberry flavoring). She might get lemonade as a treat in restaurants. I also make smoothies out of frozen berries or fruit, a ripe banana, and OJ. She LOVES these.

    Gin =)

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  32. First off I’m a diet coke addict and have always been pretty darn healthy. My kids are also exceptionally healthy and are rarely sick. I let my kids eat cheeseburgers and fries and eat bad stuff here and there. I don’t require organic food (although my husband cooks that way) and I allow my kids to be around sick kids and I don’t require them to wash their hands very often at all. Overall, I’m not hyper about most of that stuff. All that for you to understand where I am coming from.

    I do not like my kids to drink soda and I keep it from them as much as possible. They will take some of my soda, it is hard to control that, but I try. I don’t like them to have caffeine at all but especially at night. I do let them have soda here and there, but we do our best to keep it from them.

    I do not however think it is bad parenting to give a kid soda. We all do our best to parent the best we can and if a parent chooses to let their child indulge in a soda here and there, I don’t think that is "bad" so to speak. Just like I like to drink a martini here and there. It is not bad that I do this, but I just try to limit how frequently I indulge. I understand how someone who is as health conscious as you can think it is bad parenting but from those of us out there that who are not as health conscious, I don’t think it is bad parenting. I do allow my kids to indulge in things that I know you would never dream of allowing your kids to eat. I allow my kids to have a full range of foods to pick from and they most often choose well. My husband does most of the cooking and he is an amazingly talented chef and cooks very health conscious. But overall, I see children who are downright obese and many who are chubby and I really believe these kids eat too much horrible food but also the lack of activity. But I will say that a portion of these children are chubby because they are limited in what they eat by over conscious parents. My parents did that to me. They knew I had a tendency to be chubby so they limited me in what I ate and they limited sweets etc. So the second I was out of their sight, I ate everything I could that was the "forbidden" food. As soon as I was old enough to eat away from my parents--junior high and on- I began to eat poorly because I could- no mom forcing me to eat healthy.

    All this to just say that I think we need to limit our kids to an extent but if we are over conscious, you almost drive them to what you are trying to keep them from. So you ask, did I think you overreacted? Yes I do think you did. I would have not liked that they were serving soda because like you, I don’t like them to have caffeine late at night, but as they grow, we can’t control everything and Will will be presented with this many many many times in the future and he may be able to always choose well-- but maybe not-- and that is not bad. It is not bad parenting to allow your child to partake and they are not bad for partaking.

    Just my opinion :) You know I love you tons but I do differ in opinion here. :)

    Hugs,

    Christy :)

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  33. I haven't had a carbonated beverage of any kind in over 4 years! I don't buy any kind of sodas at all so we don't drink the in our house. However my sister does sneak cola9this is how Clara Beth and Emanuiel refer to it) to my little ones on rare occasions. We went to a birthday party and that's all they had to drink. Needless to say my children had their cake without anything to wash it down!

    Blessings,
    Robin

    but I do LOVE my morning coffee...I'm having some righ now!

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  34. 100% agree....with YOU!!! Now if I could kick my one a day Coke Zero habit....but I DO need the caffeine (and the sugar at times too) = ha ha!!

    my son started his pre-preschool (2 1/2 program) yesterday.....each week a different parents is to bring asnack an drink.....my son has never had juice...until yesterday ....I did not want to be THAT mom that said -give him water so I let it go...still bothering me...

    I want to try Izze though!! sounds yummy!!

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  35. Hi Kim,
    Although I am definitely addicted to diet coke, I'm completely opposed to sodas for children. My kids are younger than your boys- they are 5 and 2 and I would die before I gave Preston my 5 yr.old soda and don't plan to. I often feel like the "strict mom" even at his young age with what I let him eat/drink. Both my boys drink only water and milk- Preston can have a juice box at a bday party or friends house but I don't keep it at home.Cooper (almost 2) has never had any juice and I don't even think he would like it b/c he's so used to milk and water. I always feel like they have the rest of their lives to make their own choices when they are older, it's up to me to steer them in the right direction while I have some input. BTW...love the beach pictures of all the beautiful girls!!! Looks like ya'll had a blast!

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  36. i have a diet coke every day. just one, but it is a daily craving around 10 am that i just can't get past.

    i did however grow up with a coke bottle served at the breakfast table!!!!!!! my mom still is ashamed about that. but she just didn't know better, didn't think about it, or whatever. my parents, my brother, and myself were all very addicted to coke {the real thing} and drank it all day long as a young family. we NEVER drank water. we were also an unhealthy family in every way. my brother and i had lots of cavities, we were overweight, and my dad actually died at 45 years old of a stroke. {not saying he died b/c of coke, but of overall unhealthy habits}

    now, we all know better and my brother is so healthy and in great shape. he totally turned around his lifestyle as a young teenager when he started sports and never drank a coke again. Unfortunately, I am still overweight, but I do try to limit my {one} diet coke per day and I love water now!

    as for molly, I am trying to keep her on just water and milk in order to keep her as healthy as possible. but, as she gets older i realize things will happen and she may be served a coke. overall, i think it will be ok.

    I do think most parents probably don't even think about it as seriously as you do, unfortunately. But, I totally respect your opinion and have learned a lot about healthy nutrition from you! so i say you are totally doing the right thing for your family!

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  37. No sodas or caffeine here of any kind for the littles but Mama does indulge every now and then...just keepin' it real my friend :-).

    ((HUGS)),
    Kim

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  38. My kids have never really been fans of Coke or other pop (that's what we call it here in Nebraska). I think Maddy tried Sprite once and didn't like it. We drink a lot of water instead. I used to love Pepsi, but only have one on very rare occasions. I now love Sprite Zero, but only have one a day. I wouldn't be thrilled with other parents offering pop to young kids and am surprised they didn't offer water, juice, Gatorade, etc. I will definitely check out the Izze -- have never heard of it.
    Janet

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  39. Wow! I am in awe of a person living today who have never had a diet coke or pepsi, Thats some will power. I love my diet coke but try to limit to 2 a day because I know there not the healthiest chocie I can be making. With that said I will confess to letting my kids have a coke every now and then, and will also tell you that in my daughters 3rd grade class kids are giving a reward once a month (their choice of what they want as far as drinks such a juice, bottle water, coke , sprite,)for receiving all A's on their spelling for a month, and I have never seen a kid come out with anything other than soda and I am ok with that, and as far as I know the 25 other parents have never said anything either but its definately their right as a parent if they want to. Our school does send a letter at the first of school asking if your child can eat off alacarte. Which alacarte is things that don't fit into the school health plan such as snacks and things. If a parent isn't okay with that they can answer No alacarte and provide a healthier choice for there child on designated snack days but again I will say in my kids classes I have never seen that happen, but again I always try to bring fruit when my childrens turn comes up, but my kids love when other kids bring "little Debbie snack cakes" or brownies or sugary drinks. I guess my point is and I do have one, lol......... My sister in law is very strict on what she would allow her kids to eat and not eat and drink, and they were fine with it but when they came to our house or their grandparents house and their parents were out of sight they would always try to sneak a candy bar or soda because to them it was a forbidden thing, so in ways it made a much bigger deal to them than it did to my kids, who would get a occasinal coke, because they were allowed every now and then to have these things. Now her kids are college age as my two older kids are and her kids are more obsessed with snack and junk food than my kids are, so go figure.

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  40. Wow! I am in awe of a person living today who have never had a diet coke or pepsi, Thats some will power. I love my diet coke but try to limit to 2 a day because I know there not the healthiest chocie I can be making. With that said I will confess to letting my kids have a coke every now and then, and will also tell you that in my daughters 3rd grade class kids are giving a reward once a month (their choice of what they want as far as drinks such a juice, bottle water, coke , sprite,)for receiving all A's on their spelling for a month, and I have never seen a kid come out with anything other than soda and I am ok with that, and as far as I know the 25 other parents have never said anything either but its definately their right as a parent if they want to. Our school does send a letter at the first of school asking if your child can eat off alacarte. Which alacarte is things that don't fit into the school health plan such as snacks and things. If a parent isn't okay with that they can answer No alacarte and provide a healthier choice for there child on designated snack days but again I will say in my kids classes I have never seen that happen, but again I always try to bring fruit when my childrens turn comes up, but my kids love when other kids bring "little Debbie snack cakes" or brownies or sugary drinks. I guess my point is and I do have one, lol......... My sister in law is very strict on what she would allow her kids to eat and not eat and drink, and they were fine with it but when they came to our house or their grandparents house and their parents were out of sight they would always try to sneak a candy bar or soda because to them it was a forbidden thing, so in ways it made a much bigger deal to them than it did to my kids, who would get a occasinal coke, because they were allowed every now and then to have these things. Now her kids are college age as my two older kids are and her kids are more obsessed with snack and junk food than my kids are, so go figure.

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  41. HA. I AGree with you! My parents NEVER had soda in the house. The first time I had soda was my Sr. year of high school (It was a diet coke) and it was from a vending machine at school. I never drink soda now. We will not give it to our child. Hopefully when faced with a choice at a party or event outside the house, our child will make the right choice like Will did.
    Want to hear something even more disturbing? I Have seen LITTLE Kids with COKE in their baby bottles!!!! I dont even think juice should be in a baby bottle with all that sugar getting on the baby's teeth!

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  42. I am right this minute drinking a Diet Coke with added carcinogens... er... Lime. But I am completely comfortable with my Hypocrite Status, since I don't allow the Tongginator to drink soda. She drinks water, milk and juice (which is really half juice/ half water). No Kool-Aid, no soda, a very rare flavored water.

    While Tonggu Grammy is The Most Amazing Momma Ever, she was and is not perfect. She drank 10-12 Diet Pepsis every day of my childhood. It's hard to break a habit like that, after growing up with such an example. I drink about 2 a day. I wish it was less. But I console myself with the fact that it's better than a dozen. *grin*

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  43. I LOVE diet coke,arggh!! I try to give it up and allow myself 2 a day!! Drink lots of water and started diet green tea, but I always crave that damn diet coke!! I also have 2 cups of coffee in the morning and 1 at 4:00pm. I think the caffeine is helping but I actually think it hurts! Dr. Oz said 1 of the top three reasons women are exhausted Anemia, drug interaction(caffeine) and CAFFEINE! My oldest like a DC everyday also, but I am going to cut it out...

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  44. Before becoming a soon-to-be stepmom I thought I would be ok with my future children drinking soda... and then when it happened I completely changed my mind. Honestly I don't think anyone should drink soda, because there simply isn't anything good in it. (and I know I'm being a hypocrite, because I find myself sneaking a coke here and there, but I'm addicted to the carbonation.) So no, I don't thing you're overreacting.... and I for one LOVE Izze.

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  45. I am a diet coke fiend myself:) The kids don't get soda on a regular basis, but occassionally they will and it is usually the caffeine free variety.

    That being said.... I NEVER in a million years would send soda of any kind to one of the kid's parties/get togethers whether it was at school, home, or church. That was a bad call by the teacher/parent.... you are not wrong to be upset.

    Lisa

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  46. Moderation:) But I don't think there is anything wrong with keeping junk and sugar from kids...I just wouldn't be militant about it...not saying you are, but some people I know go a little overboard with this kind of stuff...

    Allison

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  47. Wow, never? Are you sure? Aren't you just a wee bit curious about coke?

    Growing up we only had coke or related beverages as a special treat every few months, which definitely trained me to never buy it when I began living independently. I don't know if I would get too upset about the youth group thing because parents often buy that stuff for gatherings because it is easy to pick up and they know that mostly everyone will like it (My mom would put out juice and coke if she needed to entertain a bunch of teens but we didn't have it otherwise). Yes, there are better options, but in my opinion you'll never be able to change all of the parents in the group!

    At least Will remembers what you've been teaching him and is making his own conscious diet choices. That's what's important

    I guess by many people's standards you are a Coke prude, but so am I and I think it's the way to go :).

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  48. As the mother of a teen (or soon to be teen) you have many battles ahead of you. Coke/Dr. Pepper is the least of your worries. It's not too soon to think about questions of adult supervision and alcohol--at friends' houses and even at church-related events. Good luck. It's a challenging time!

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  49. You go girl!!! LOVEd this post! I am right with you on this (very big considering obesity in america) issue. We don't do soda in our house ...well, except for my husband's secret stash of diet coke which I am always trying to hide) And now that Barrington is 18 he is into brewed root beer. I had to stick those confessions in so I 'm don't feel like a hypocrite, but I really do wish soda would just go away!
    Thanks for speaking up Kim!!

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  50. amen friend!! i am finally kicking my diet dr pepper addiction (though i will splurge once in a while). i think we have to teach kids about eating well. maybe a good science test would be to put a penny in a glass of coke or pepsi. it's pretty gross what happens.

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  51. My kids never drink sodas and never taste coca , i think in a healthy way concerning foods but i put in the "same basket" all the sodas .
    Perharps you must be "prude" on others sodas too?

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  52. Well, I do think that Coke, Pepsi, sodas in general are not the best choice for children to drink on an everyday basis...however, I do think that an occasional soda is fine. I'm with the commenter who said something to the extent of practicing moderation is key.

    I didn't like the comment made by another poster about how giving children Coke is "just the tip of the iceberg" and that those kids are the ones without bedtimes. Good grief, what a leap!

    I guess I also think that it is somewhat judgmental to say that you think it is pretty bad parenting to give children Coke...just my honest opinion, since you asked. :) Certainly don't want to hurt your feelings! I love Izze, myself, but it isn't some people's cup of tea (or soda, as the case may be), and I really can't see bringing it as a "treat" for a large group of pre-teen/teenaged boys...even if for the simple fact that it is two to three times more expensive than Coke or other sodas (but yes, worth it!! YUM!).

    Good for you for having convictions about your own parenting and sticking with them! I really mean that...I struggle every day with consistency. You may want to reconsider stating on your blog that something like a child having a Coke or other mainstream soda is indicative of possible bad parenting, though...such blanket statements can be hurtful and alienating.

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  53. Well, I do think that Coke, Pepsi, sodas in general are not the best choice for children to drink on an everyday basis...however, I do think that an occasional soda is fine. I'm with the commenter who said something to the extent of practicing moderation is key.

    I didn't like the comment made by another poster about how giving children Coke is "just the tip of the iceberg" and that those kids are the ones without bedtimes. Good grief, what a leap!

    I guess I also think that it is somewhat judgmental to say that you think it is pretty bad parenting to give children Coke...just my honest opinion, since you asked. :) Certainly don't want to hurt your feelings! I love Izze, myself, but it isn't some people's cup of tea (or soda, as the case may be), and I really can't see bringing it as a "treat" for a large group of pre-teen/teenaged boys...even if for the simple fact that it is two to three times more expensive than Coke or other sodas (but yes, worth it!! YUM!).

    Good for you for having convictions about your own parenting and sticking with them! I really mean that...I struggle every day with consistency. You may want to reconsider stating on your blog that something like a child having a Coke or other mainstream soda is indicative of possible bad parenting, though...such blanket statements can be hurtful and alienating.

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  54. I don't have children yet, but I would NOT allow them to have a Coke - caffeine is so addicting and definetly not good thing for children. That's my two cents! :)

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  55. Kim,

    Oh! Your title read that you'd *only* drink Coke and implied you'd never ever ever drink a Pepsi =) I was ready to invite you to Atlanta for a tour of historic sites related to Co-Cola!

    You asked, so it does seem a like an over reaction from my perspective, but I nor anyone in my family has allergies of any kind or other health issues, not even heart disease in spite of many of us being textbook overweight. My frame is different.

    You have solid reasons for teaching your children to be careful about what they eat, and it seems like Will understands why he needs to avoid some things.

    I work with preteens, and at lunch they choose salads and veggies and fruit, but most of our parents who bring snacks for afternoon activities bring "junk" foods. However, I'm pretty sure that from the reactions of the kids that they do not routinely ingest such.

    Our LL drinks water and juice and whole cow's milk, too. She has had Coke as a treat when we went out, and the caffeine had no noticable effect on her. She is healthy and not a picky eater, and she eats a balanced diet. As a result, we're relaxed about what she eats when we are not at home.

    The other posters are spot on that making the best choice is a great thumbs up for Will. The poster who pointed out the sad fact that lots of middle schoolers are trying and even binging on alcohol by 8th grade has a valid point about what most middle school parents have to be concerned about.

    You've raised a close knit family, and you must know that children return to the way they are raised.

    Trena

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  56. My dad worked for Coca-Cola for almost 30 years and we literally had Coke flowing like water at my house growing up (had a fountain in our kitchen sink where most people have a spray nozzle). Ironically I don't like carbonation so I never drank it, but my friends who visited surely did and they thought I was the luckiest kid on the planet to have a Coke machine in my house!

    My dad has a passion for Coke - both the product and the company - and drinks quite a bit of it, I'd guess 3 cans a day, down from about 6 when he retired 16 years ago. At age 74 my dad can walk 50 yards on his hands, recently led my husband and a group of his friends on a 24-mile hike and amazed them all by climbing up a 20-foot rope using only his hands (no feet or legs). In addition to being very physically fit, my dad has no health issues.

    I keep Coke in our refrigerator all the time, but my kids don't drink it that often; they all prefer milk. I don't remember what age they starting drinking Coke. I certainly didn't give it to them when they were babies or toddlers, but neither did I set an age where I said it would be okay.

    Since Coke fed, clothed and educated me, I certainly have never thought of it as evil! And too many happy healthy and well-adjusted people in my family have drunk a lot of it for me to think it causes too many problems.

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  57. Well.... I never drink Coke either. But, you know I love my one-a-day Diet Coke.. No good excuse really. I could definitely live with out it... I do need that afternoon caffeine kicker.. However, my kids do NOT drink soda. A root beer for a big treat is about as exciting as it gets here. Even at the cabin. We stick to lemonade, water, and juice..

    When they are older, they will have to be the ones to decide. But for now, it is a non-issue here!

    Love,
    Di

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  58. Eloise,

    I never knew this about you. Well, I am fascinated.

    I am so glad to hear that your Dad is so vibrant and healthy. That makes me feel better because a lot of people I love drink Coke too.

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  59. I must admit that prior to last spring I had at least 1 Coke a day. BUT I knew it was not great for my body so for Lent I gave it up - and you know what - I HATE IT now!! I think it is so sugary and disgusting. I do drink Sprite though because I crave the carbonation - I am going out to get me some Izze!

    Blessings:)

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  60. kim, i'm at work this morning & wanted to spend a few free minutes to read all these interesting comments.
    i'll tell you....growing up here in atlanta, coke is all the rage. i drank coke, not diet but the real thing up until 8 years ago when i switched to caffiene free diet. i must admit, i drink approx 3 diet/caffeine free a day, sometimes more. i cut out all other sweet drinks. no tea. no fruit juice. etc. but i really should cut back the diet coke.
    my girls often times mention 'wow mom, sure would be nice to have some caffiene products to offer when friends come to visit". ironically i would say that every single guest always asks for water! isn't that funny!
    i'm terrible...caroline has started to ask for coke when we eat out. i was a sprite only mom when the girls were little. diet sprite at that. oh, & we are skim milk drinkers too.
    anyway...caroline is an excellent eater. loves spinach & many other healthy foods that little ones seldom prefer. i've tried to allow her this treat occasionally since she's otherwise a very healthy eater.
    i will say, we are almost always cold/fever free at our home.
    its a tricky call
    having said ALL that...sheesh for long comments...i would have never nor have i ever brought coke products when bringing beverages for the kids. gatorade or flavored waters. period.
    i love you & all all the knowledge & food for thought you provide us with kim....you rock!!
    xo

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  61. i love reading your posts about food. it always makes me think about what i cook/eat and want to serve to my kids (my baby is just now regularly eating table food). anyway, i do NOT think you're crazy for teaching your kids that coke is bad for them. my cousin lets her 16(ish?) MONTH old boy drink coke (he prefers coke zero) straight from his sippy cup. i thought i was going to fall over dead when i saw it for the first time. this post also made me think about our church youth groups. my husband used to be one of our local youth pastors, and we always only had coke/pepsi products. every now and then we would make up a big thing of koolaid. i never thought about it, but you are right. i don't want MY baby only being offered coke, so we should offer the kids more, too. i will definitely be more aware of this working with youth/kids in the future!! even if they choose it, at least we offered something else.

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  62. p.s. :) i'm reading through the comments, and one said that they don't let their children have apple juice?? is this bad???? new mom alert here (12 month old), and i've been giving her juice (1/2 juice, 1/2 water) for a while now. is this bad???? do you give your kids juice? or just water and milk?? i'm assuming it's a sugar issue, but i would love to hear your opinion.

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  63. I am a step mom and came into my little guy's life when he was 3. He is now Almost 8. My husband drinks A LOT of pop, and so does not seem to realize that his son should not be drinking it too. I think it's ok to have pop as a treat, every once in a while. But I do think pop can be addictive. The boy constantly asks for pop, and he complains when he does not get it. I also notice behavioural differences if he has had pop or not. I voice my opinion but I don't think it's really heard. I always make sure there are alternatives to drink in the house.

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  64. I am so with you. Even my little girl the other night went to a party and they served Hi-C or something. She kindly asked for water. YEAH!

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  65. well now, isn't this interesting...Kim I totally respect your opinions. As parents we try to do the best we can to raise outstanding members of society...with that being said...
    My boys grew up being able to drink soda, eat McDonald's and enjoy sweets. And guess what...they had a bedtime(still scratching my head over that one LOL.
    I guess I will have to wear the bad parenting label because I believe in all things in moderation...I don't hand my girls a soda with their breakfast..but I have been known to serve a few cupcakes at 7:00 AM : )
    Trust me, if soda is the only problem you are having with a gathering of pre-teens...consider yourself lucky. As they grow you will deal with bigger issues then soda...and it has nothing to do with bad parenting but everything to do with the world around you.
    As parents we do the best we can...I do not consider allowing my children to drink soda bad parenting...and I would never judge any of you for the decisions you make for your children. Children do not come with manuals and there is no parent out there that has the answers to raising children...we are all just winging it!

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  66. I just realized I'm really thirsty!

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Thank you for your kindness.