Initially, energy drinks were exclusively marketed to adult athletes, however, now, the industry has seen a huge market in children’s energy drinks and there has been a huge marketing of kid-friendly flavors and bright colors that appeal to children. After laborious exercise and in hot weather you need to reload lost fluids and electrolytes, but these sports drinks are definitely not the right way to go, particularly for little ones.
Energy drinks are usually packed with high levels of stimulants like taurine, caffeine and guarana, and these are linked to a host of detrimental health effects in children, such as impairment of the cardiovascular and neurological system.
On the other hand, you need a lot of energy to fuel your kids, so power up your little one with these healthy homemade recipes.
How To Make Natural Energy Drinks For Kids?
The following three recipes are very easy to make and proffer excellent health benefits:
Berry Power
You will need:
- 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries)
- 1 lime
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1 banana
- Generous dollop of honey
Combine all the ingredients in a blender; and blend until smooth.
Soy Smoothie
You will need:
- 1/2 cup silken tofu
- 1/2 cup soy milk
- 1 banana
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
Slice the banana and freeze till firm.
Morning Starter
You will need:
- 1 banana
- 1 scoop of high quality whey protein powder
- 2 spoons of powdered almonds
- 2 washed kale leaves
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 spoon of roasted and ground flax seeds
Blend all the ingredients in your blender and have this smoothie first thing in the morning with a slice of whole grained bread; this will keep you feeling energetic all through the day.
Are Energy Drinks Good For Kids Health?
When it comes to hydrating your kids, especially kids who play sports, there is a crazy display of juices, sodas, iced tea, and energy drinks to select from. Sports and energy drinks comprise of anything from sports beverages to vitamin waters to high-energy supplement drinks for children. Thee drinks promise to boost energy levels and attentiveness, perk up and complement your nutrition, and augment athletic performance. But are they a good choice for your kids?
To stay healthy, you need to be well hydrated; and you cannot go wrong giving them plain water. But children who participate in a bunch of sport activities need something extra.
During and after sports and competitive events, drinks should be available at all times and regular water breaks are necessary every 15 minutes. The quantity of water that your child needs varies depending up on his age, his weight, intensity of the activity, and the prevalent weather conditions.
Soda is not highly inadvisable for hydration during sports and must definitely be avoided given that it contains lots of sugar, which leads to weight gain. Furthermore, the carbonation is known to cause an upset stomach. Soda also often contains caffeine, which must be restricted in kids.
Consequently, packaged energy and sports drinks are definitely not recommended for kids; experts advise making your own blend of energy drinks for the children, which are not only safe and free from additives; but they supply you with choicest nutrients that proffer a burst of energy.