Are Sports drinks appropriate for kids? If they're serious athletes, the answer is yes...but only during competition.
“When kids do intense exercise in the heat for numerous hours, I
would encourage the use of sports drinks,” says Douglas Casa, an
associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Connecticut and
the lead researcher for most of the sports camp studies. “They will
likely drink more of a flavor they like as compared to water, and will
benefit from the carbs and electrolytes.”
But that ‘yes’ has clear and definable limits. “Sports drinks are only appropriate in the context of sports, and I mean serious sports,” emphasizes Nancy Clark, a registered dietician and sports nutritionist in Boston
No one suggests that, outside of fields or courts, sports drinks are wise. “These are not health foods,” Clark says. “They’re fancy sugar water. You see kids having them with their pizza at lunch. That’s not a good idea.” Sports drinks have been linked with obesity and tooth decay. They’re also expensive
But that ‘yes’ has clear and definable limits. “Sports drinks are only appropriate in the context of sports, and I mean serious sports,” emphasizes Nancy Clark, a registered dietician and sports nutritionist in Boston
No one suggests that, outside of fields or courts, sports drinks are wise. “These are not health foods,” Clark says. “They’re fancy sugar water. You see kids having them with their pizza at lunch. That’s not a good idea.” Sports drinks have been linked with obesity and tooth decay. They’re also expensive
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