What can parents do if they have children who love coffee? „There are certain drinks, even in popular coffee shops, that tend to contain less caffeine and are therefore more suitable for young children,” Theunissen says. At Starbucks, for example, you can choose options like Babyccino, Iced Golden Ginger Drink, Iced Guava Passionfruit Drink, and herbal teas – all contain caffeine content more in line with the recommendations listed above. The same goes for Chris in AK, I`m not a doctor with a PhD or degree. As mentioned on this website, the United States has not created guidelines, but recommends minimizing caffeine in young children. Drinking too much coffee or at the wrong time can harm children in many ways. However, Canadian guidelines say that: That being said, a cup of coffee a day won`t really do much harm as long as it comes to your child`s diet. Children over the age of 12 can drink a cup of coffee regularly as long as they do not consume additional sources of caffeine from other food or beverage sources. Coffee beans contain antioxidants and other substances that research shows help protect against disease. However, there is currently no research showing whether coffee consumption in childhood could have a positive or negative impact on adulthood. Long-term studies would be needed to answer this question.

In small amounts, coffee isn`t particularly bad for kids, but there are a few things you should keep in mind before allowing them to consume any amount. Most drinks that kids order in coffee shops are loaded with sugar, cream, whipped cream, and sweets like caramel and chocolate chips. This increases the amount of fat and sugar they absorb and probably reduces the intake of healthier beverages like water. We also need to clear up another misunderstanding. Coffee gets a bad rap because many parents think coffee interferes with growth spurts. This is not true at all. Contrary to popular belief, coffee will not affect or hinder your child`s growth in any way. According to Bhakti Samant, Chief Nutritionist, MSc. Dietetics at Kokilaben Ambani Hospital, caffeine consumption should not exceed 100 mg (1-2 cups of coffee or two cans of soda) for adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. Does your child like a cup of Morning Joe as much as you do? Is he looking forward to a little Java jolt in the local café after school? As coffee consumption among children and adolescents increases, the effects of coffee are discussed.

Aside from what caffeine research has shown, we really don`t know the long-term effects of coffee on children. The AAP is not an advocate for coffee consumption in children at all, but if you allow your children to consume small amounts, there are certain guidelines in Canada that you can follow. Well, coffee (or caffeine, in any form) is definitely not for kids, that`s for sure. Yet there are so many parents who forget that many sodas contain caffeine, not just coffee. Just as you don`t give your child coffee, you shouldn`t give them coke or any other type of soda. Before you tell your teen why coffee is so bad, remember that coffee itself may not be the most harmful thing in your child`s diet. Children indirectly consume caffeine through many different sources, whether it`s sodas, soft drinks, iced teas, or even chocolate milk. You might have a lower concentration of caffeine in them, but there`s no denying that caffeine is completely lacking. Refer to this information if you plan to allow your child to drink coffee, especially at a popular chain of stores like Starbucks or Dunkin`. A quick look at the caffeine content proves that these types of beverages can far exceed the recommended guidelines for caffeine consumption in children.

Note that all drinks included are the large size (12 fl oz) for Stabucks and the small size (10 fl oz) for Dunkin`. The bottom line is that caffeine is generally safe, but it has significant effects in both children and adults. Keep in mind that children are much more likely to encounter caffeine in a soft drink than in tea or coffee. That`s what you need to worry about, I think, not Starbucks. One cup of green tea contains ~15-25mg of caffeine, which is at the limit where there were no significant effects for a 50kg child, so if you want to hang out in a coffee shop, you don`t even have to limit yourself to strictly decaffeinated options. In addition to coffee, caffeine is present in tea (48 mg per 8 ounces), caffeinated soda (37 mg per 12 ounces), hot chocolate (10 mg per 12 ounces) and chocolate (10-30 mg per 1.5 ounces). It is also added to a variety of sports products and energy drinks. It is classified as a drug. Specifically, it`s a stimulant, which means it speeds up the messages sent from your brain to your body.