OT-is Crystal Light ok for kids?

[disneyfan2]

I drink this often but the kids have been trying mine lately and they like it. I am wondering about the artificial sweeteners if it is bad for kids. But it would be nice to get them out of the regular sugary juices instead? Any suggestions?
Youngest DD does not like plain water but still not sure if CL will be ok for them.

 

[fivebyfive]

I am wondering about the artificial sweeteners if it is bad for kids.

I get into an argument all the time with my SIL about this very issue. There is no proof anywhere that artificial sweeteners are bad for anyone.

It's currently one of Snopes 25 Hottest Urban Legends:

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/aspartame.asp

 

[luvdiz2]

Just a quick tip - or whatever!

Last summer I was drinking a lot of CL and was encountering terrible all day and night unending headaches - Finally figured out it was the excessive aspertame. Check as I think it is the Walmart no name ones are not aspertame based, but another artificial sweetner.

My kids drink them, beats the heck out of sugar around here!

 

[tricia]

Not at all sure if they are bad for kids or not, but we do not drink much aspertane in my family. I have one brother who gets headaches from it, and another brother who used to get super hyper from it. (like some kids on sugar) Anyway. It prob. depends on your kids and what they are sensitive to.

 

[Big Momma]

I work with a bunch of scientists who will not touch the diet stuff if it has Aspatame. They all say it causes cancer (I find that a little extreme...). I get major headaches from it so if I am buying diet stuff, I try and find products that sweeten with Splenda or Sucralose because those are a natural derivitive of sugar and not a chemical (or so I understand). I keep my kids away from Aspartame just because of how I react to it.

 

[digskat]

DW recently saw an endicrinologist, and he took her off all diet pop, and stated the body just doesn't digest aspartame. He was concerned with the amounts of chemical (such as methanol and formaldehyde, bi-products of aspartame) that were being stored in her kidneys. Coincidently, the reduction in aspartame has also reduced her headaches. DMIL has an intolerance to aspartame, it gives her violent headaches.

Aspartame was discovered in 1965, but wasn't approved by the FDA until 1981, during Donald Rumsfield's term as CEO and president of GD Searles. Conveniently, Reagan replaced the FDA commissioner, and new Commissioner Arthur Hayes quickly approved it. Rumsfield continued on as CEO for 4 more years, but also returned to political duties the following year, under Reagan, acting as;
Member of the President's General Advisory Committee on Arms Control—Reagan Administration (1982–1986);

President Reagan's Special Envoy on the Law of the Sea Treaty (1982–1983);

Senior Advisor to President Reagan's Panel on Strategic Systems (1983–1984);

Member of the U.S. Joint Advisory Commission on U.S./Japan Relations—Reagan Administration (1983–1984);

President Reagan's Special Envoy to the Middle East (1983–1984);

Member of the National Commission on the Public Service (1987–1990);

Member of the National Economic Commission (1988–1989);

Member of the Board of Visitors of the National Defense University (1988–1992);
Chairman Emeritus, Defense Contractor, Carlyle Group (1989–2005);

Member of the Commission on U.S./Japan Relations (1989–1991).

 

[drag n' fly]

I don't drink it because it bothers my tummy ( ibs flareup) and gives the boys headaches. The boys experimented with splenda this summer and seemed to do ok with it. Everything still tastes tinny to me. I don't crave the sugar I actually crave the fizz so I drink low sodium club soda with lemon and lime instead and the kids like it mixed with unsweetened fruit juice.

 

[fivebyfive]

They all say it causes cancer (I find that a little extreme...).

They forgot multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosis, Gulf War Syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome and diabetes!

Alcohol makes feel light headed, slur my words, trip over my own feet and gives me a headache the next day, but that doesn't mean it causes cancer.

Just like no single chemical cures everything, none causes everything.

 

[MomAndrea]

I don't give my children artificial sweeteners of any kind. I would rather they had a little sugar.

 

[snickerboo]

I don't give my kids artifical sweetener except in the drink bottles at Disney. We use kool-aid singles and it does have artificial sweetener in it. If anyone finds a 'singles' thing for the water bottles that doesn't please let me know.

 

[SaskDisNut]

We buy Nestea singles at Walmart. They are much like Crystal Light except they contain Splenda instead of aspartame.

 

[mom2faith]

We buy Nestea singles at Walmart. They are much like Crystal Light except they contain Splenda instead of aspartame.

I was just going to write the same thing!!

Also, you can get the Kool Aid ones at Walmart too - but you need to use 2 packets for a 500ML bottle However, knowing KoolAid these are sure to be full of sugar!!

SaskDisNut - It's Game Day!! GREEN IS THE COLOR!!

 

[Big Momma]

The Kool-Ais singles are made with both Splenda and sugar. They are shockingly low-cal (as far as Kool-aid goes) and really cheap at Wal-mart. Even though it says to add 2 packs for a 500ml bottle, I only give the kids one. So far no one has complained.
I think the Tang and Country Style singles are full sugar. But don't quote me on that.

 

[PatriciaH]

Natural is always best. Aspatame is bad but Splenda is awful too.

http://splenda.worldwidewarning.net/

 

[BELLEDOZER]

For some reason Aspartame doesn't bother me at all, but Splenda I've developed a severe allergy to over the past couple of months. While I don't drink that many products with Aspartame in it, I always have to ask in restaurants if their diet sodas have Splenda in them. It's borderline being a deadly allergy to me, and one that Reactine can't stop, only delay by about 14 hours . So I have to be extra dilligent when I go out and eat in restaurants.

 

[maryrego]

With all things in life
I think its good in moderation

As a diabetic I usually doent have too many options I find about 2 times a year if I have been drinking too much Crystal Light and Diet Pop I get an upset tummy. But Im talking like 10-12 glasses a day for days. I usually just drink water or watered down juice for a couple days then Im back to normal.

 

[Nicki828]

I drink this often but the kids have been trying mine lately and they like it. I am wondering about the artificial sweeteners if it is bad for kids. But it would be nice to get them out of the regular sugary juices instead? Any suggestions?
Youngest DD does not like plain water but still not sure if CL will be ok for them.

I'm trying to remember if Crystal Lite uses Splenda. I do let my kids use products with Splenda - but I try and avoid other artificial sweeteners.

 

[Beechnut]

Crystal Lite doesn't use splenda. I wish it did. It is a more expensive product than aspertame, and that is why the major pop companies dont use it. I have found splenda in RiteAid and only 1 store that carries it and not in many flavors.

Just as an iteresting side note: my bottle of Pink Lemonade CL sat in the sun this week and within a couple of hours the pink was gone!

 

[PEANUT1]

I agree about everything in moderation. The only stuff my daughter drinks is sometimes iced tea made with splenda that I drink (its also decaf).

My sister's 4 year old has diabetes and so she was giving him a lot of drinks with splenda and other artificial sweeteners. Her other kids were drinking alot of it too. Her endocrinologist told her to back off of using it as much and try to get the kids to drink more free water. Anything used to excess can be a problem.

 

[kimsuenew]

Just a quick tip - or whatever!

Last summer I was drinking a lot of CL and was encountering terrible all day and night unending headaches - Finally figured out it was the excessive aspertame. Check as I think it is the Walmart no name ones are not aspertame based, but another artificial sweetner.

My kids drink them, beats the heck out of sugar around here!

Not at all sure if they are bad for kids or not, but we do not drink much aspertane in my family. I have one brother who gets headaches from it, and another brother who used to get super hyper from it. (like some kids on sugar) Anyway. It prob. depends on your kids and what they are sensitive to.

I work with a bunch of scientists who will not touch the diet stuff if it has Aspatame. They all say it causes cancer (I find that a little extreme...). I get major headaches from it so if I am buying diet stuff, I try and find products that sweeten with Splenda or Sucralose because those are a natural derivitive of sugar and not a chemical (or so I understand). I keep my kids away from Aspartame just because of how I react to it.

My DS (teen) gets horrid headaches from Aspartamine (not sure of spelling) and I cannot use it due to severly aggravating my IBS. I am diabetic and can use Splenda without problem. I only buy Kool-Aid Singles to flavor individual bottles of water, and they are used rarely.

To the OP, ask your Ped/Doctor what he thinks! My guess is he has taken a stance on it, pro or con.

When DS was small I refused to give him artificial sweetners but as he hit his teen years and worried about his weight (he loved soda pop but didn't want to gain weight from drinking it) he started drinking diet soda. His headaches increased tremendously and in severity... we kept track of what he ate/drank, the only one common item he had on his "bad headache days" was diet soda. He now drinks nothing with artificial sweetners and has only an occasional headache. He rarely drinks pop at all anymore but if he does, it is a regular Coke. He mainly drinks water supplemented by juice or milk.