As parents, we're always trying to ensure our children are getting the best in terms of education , nutrition and their emotional growth. When it comes to nutrition -- especially junk food -- most parents are exceptionally careful. Before giving in to our kids' fast-food requests, we ask ourselves questions like: Should children drink soda? What about junk food - can it harm my child?
This is because we want to pass the right values onto our children.
Unfortunately, not every parent knows what's best for their children and can be outright irresponsible. A father in France has been jailed over only feeding his children Coca-Cola and cake.
While this diet might be a dream for many kids, it is actually highly detrimental to their development especially at a young age.
Father only fed the kids Coca-Cola and cake
A father of two boys, aged three and four, was thrown into jail in France for overfeeding his children Coca-Cola, the children's lawyer said, according to Channel News Asia. The jail term is set for three months.
The father can "neither read, nor write, nor count, doesn't realise the seriousness of the situation and spent all his welfare money on alcohol," said Carole Papon, a representative of the association French Victims 87.
The family survives on welfare payments every month. As soon as the father receives money from the welfare department, the money is spent. Within only a few days receiving the payouts, "the family had nothing to eat. They only had Coca-Cola to drink," Carole said.
On top of his wayward spending habits, the father is also violent towards his wife and children.
The elder boy had to have seven sugar-rotten teeth removed, while the second child does not even speak, which is abnormal for children around the age as most children begin speaking anywhere from six months of age till about two years old. At three, the boy is considered to be underdeveloped.
Both have been taken into a proper care system where they have been introduced to meat and vegetables.
"There was nothing in their flat," Bruno Robinet, the deputy public prosecutor, told AFP.
"There was no fridge, the children slept on a mattress without covers and there were no toys ... Their father fed them on cakes and coke," he added.
Should children drink soda drinks at all?
Sweetened beverages, such as soda, contain way too much sugar. Even if the packaging boasts no added sugar, it could be laced with artificial sweeteners instead.
Nearly 90 studies conducted have found that sweetened beverages and children's weight problems are directly linked. And yes, this means, even one or two sweet drinks a day can cause a problem.
So if your child begs for a soft drink, it is something you should consider once a month at the most, but should be avoided as much as possible. If they still want something sweet, consider these alternatives instead.
Great alternatives to soda or soft drinks:
- Kefir. Kefir is a fermented milk drink made with a yeast and bacterial fermentation starter of kefir grains. It is popular for its benefits in boosting your immune system and digestion. However, it should be consumed in moderation.
- Coconut water. Coconut water is cheap, delicious, and good for you! Instead of buying those fancy bottle coconut water drinks, you can buy whole coconuts so that you can have both the juice as well as the coconut meat!
- Fruit water. If your kids really prefer their water with a little flavour, it wouldn't hurt to throw in some fruits into the water. Slice up some apples, or throw whole strawberries in, to liven up the taste of plain water. If you have some pandan leaves at home, you can try to add those in for a refreshing twist!
So, should children drink soda at all? What are your thoughts on this?
Source: Channel News Asia, WebMD
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