This is a bit of a two pronged rant about energy drinks so I apologise if you drink them or you allow your child to drink them – this is just my opinion!
I may have said this before but Mr Frugal loves his energy drinks.
He started drinking them when he worked nights for six months as he used to come home from work at about six am and not go to bed until the kids were packed off to school. He moved to a different department after that but even though his job no longer involved night shifts, he would still have his morning can of Monster.
Several years later, he’s still having his daily Monster and it costs us a fortune.
We’ve managed to find it as cheap as £2.99 for four cans which is much better than the usual price of £1.39 a can but still, it’s works out to around £25 a month. Not cheap at all, is it?
He doesn’t want to give it up because he says that he doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink alcohol and rarely goes out and I guess he has a point but it still annoys me. I can’t force him to give it up but even he admits that it doesn’t have the same effect on him as it used to – it no longer gives him that boost that it used to. More than likely because he’s drank it for so long that his body is used to it now.
If he’s tired, then he should go to bed earlier and if he needs energy, then a banana or even a chocolate bar will give him a boost. Neither option will cost £25 a month! ;-(
There you go, part one of my energy drink rant done. Now, the second part of my whinge….
It really made me think about children drinking energy drinks when we were on holiday at Butlins a few months ago and I ordered a Monster at the bar for Mr Frugal (yes, I know!). The bartender wouldn’t serve me with it if I was giving it to a child and I actually had to point out who it was for before he would let me have it!
I wouldn’t dream of giving my children an energy drink like Monster or indeed any other energy drink that is labelled as not recommended for children. There’s a reason that they’re labelled not suitable for children – usually because they’re not suitable for children!
To be honest with you, I don’t even really care why they’re not suitable, all I need to know is that a company has labelled their own product as not for children – surely they would only do that if they had good reason to as it’s limiting their own potential sales. However, because I wanted to back up my rant I had a little look into why these drinks aren’t recommended for children.
- High levels of sugar in the drinks is linked to obesity.
- The high acidic levels in the drinks is bad for teeth enamel.
- The level of caffeine in just one energy drink can be as much caffeine as you will find in 14 normal caffeinated drinks. One website I looked at described that level of caffeine as toxic for children.
- Caffeine is shown to have an adverse effect on sleep quality and moods.
- Studies show that they’re actually no better off for children as a bottle of water after sports.
Knowing all that, why on earth would you give your children any form of energy drink?
You wouldn’t give them medication that’s labelled ‘not suitable for children’ and you wouldn’t let them watch a film that’s labelled not suitable for children (ie. a 15 or 18 rated film) so how is this different?
Rant over.
As you were everyone!
I dislike these immenesly and we confiscate them off students at school. they are simply banned!
Gosh yes that level of caffeine does sound toxic. My kids have never tried them and long may it stay that way, fizzy pop is bad enough! Mich x
eeeek, scary statistics there!
no way jose! totally bonkers to give to a child. however i must say Mr HPMcQ does drink them, but they are ones for runners, you see he often will go for a 40k run for the fun of it. so energy drinks/bars are a must on his travels.
Although I used to have the occasional energy drink if I was facing a long drive etc it was actually fizzy pop that has been my downfall. I gave it up before the summer and feel so much better for doing so, less tired, less headaches etc. I don't believe that energy drinks or fizzy pop should be given to those under 16.
I guess that is the problem – so many parents don't use age ratings for anything and DO let their young kids play games/watch films not suitable. I hope you can convince your other half to stop as they can't be doing him any good.
The caffeine levels in these drinks are crazy. Im pretty shocked when I see kids drinking them to be honest.
Oh gosh I wouldn't dream of giving them to my kids- who wants them more fuelled with manic energy than they already are! I very occasionally have a vodka and red bull on a rare night out – mostly because I am rubbish at staying up late these days and it gives me a little boost – but thats maybe twice a year!
Totally agree. Jason went through a phase of drinking a lot of Red Bull, thankfully that's over now. But to give them to children is just nonsense. My kids drink water or milk, or a glass of juice if they're having breakfast. Occasionally if we're out for dinner and drinking wine, the kids will be allowed a Lemonade, and because GG now has to drink sugar free, I do let her have the occasional diet coke as a treat, as most restaurants don't have diet lemonade.
My other half got into that habit after working night shifts. It's taken over three years to finally get him to see that it was damaging to his health. The amount of sugar in these drinks is shocking and to think that teenagers are taking these into schools to stay awake, doesn't bare thinking about. I'm with you on this one, 100%.
Oh I so agree with you on this one! I have never seen the point of them, they are such a waste of money and all that sugar too! I may let my kids have the very occasional fizzy drink but these things are a big no no
I have cut out all caffeine from my diet (except chocolate) and I have to say I feel better for it. I actually feel less tired. I can't stomach caffeinated tea or coffee now, it makes me feel sick. The thought even of a can of cola makes me feel queasy.
When you're tired it's true you crave sugar which is part of why it might have started. it will be damaging his teeth though.
My fella drinks energy drinks and it bugs me…..There is no need….Just go to bed earlier! Grr!
As for kids drinking them….It's just wrong!