Soft Drinks banned in Elemetary School
@faln_angel1205 (1192)
United States
September 12, 2008 5:53pm CST
I jsut read an article stating that some schools have banned soft drinks at Elementary Schools. They say that its not having a large affect though. I remember it being available all the time when i was in school, in the vending machines. I had never given thought to it being unavailable at my sons school or not, and now after readign this article I am going to check into it just out of curiousity. I know he isnt drinking it there, but as he gets older if its available i may not want him having it, as that is one thing i monitor closely with him...is caffeine and sugar intake.
So does your childs school allow it or is it banned.?
4 people like this
19 responses
@stormragetz (567)
• Singapore
14 Sep 08
True. Many of such fake juices taste like chemicals. I wonder what is the best drinks to sell in elementary schools apart from real juice, that is also cheap? Apart Milo (chocolate milk beverage), there's only plain water. But water cheap and healthy!
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
13 Sep 08
It'll be interesting to see if this has the effects that are predicted. I've heard of a lot of schools doing this. But I have serious doubts that it will actually lead to kids being healthier. Kids aren't stupid. Just because you make it more difficult to get doesn't mean they won't go after it. In fact, in some people's minds the "forbidden fruit" is ten times more attractive then the stuff right in front of them.
Education is the key if people really want to change childrens behavior. You are monitoring your child, so your child learning by example. But, if we just give kids a list of things and say "This is bad," what do they really learn? They need to know why it's important. Besides, the entire time I was in school, soda was readily available, had they taken it away, there would have been riots. :)
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
13 Sep 08
It's a touchy issue. However, I would have shared your resistance to being told what to feed your children. It should be up to the parent to make those descisions rather than the school system. But, it has worked out for you family and in the end that is what really matters.
Congratulations on your stimulating discussion.
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
14 Sep 08
It's not so much about teaching healthy habits believe it or not... LOL!
Lots of studies show that children who drink a soft drink before school seem to have a harder day in many different situations throughout the day.
Sugar && Cafeene can change a childs personality from night && day. I have seen this myself back when I use to work with children, plus I see the change in my daughter at times. She use to sneek daddy's pop all the time up until I banned it from home && she is more focused.
They basically want the childs full attention during school && lots of kids just can't handle soft drinks. You would be surprised...
&& I'm sure teaching healthy habits is also on their mind, but I have heard teachers say the main reason they don't like soft drinks in schools is because the ups && downs the child goes through.
But the truth of the matter is, kids that go to school softdrink free && can stay softdrink free the whole day seem to have a much better day then they would of if they had a softdrink.
1 person likes this
@DoriLentrich (1016)
• United States
19 Sep 08
My only concern with that kind of mentality is what happens when the kids grow up and drink soda on their own. Soda is never going to become a controlled substance(I hope), so chances are high they will eventually give into the temptation. How are they going to deal with it? Part of being a child is learning how to deal with the realities of life without the pressures of adulthood.
If it helps the kids study, that's great. Education is incredibly important, but I wonder if shielding childrend from dealing with the realities of their adult life in the name of improving their childhood is diminishing their abilities in the future. If this were coming from a health angle where the kids were taught about the dangers of soda etc., it would make more sense to me. But this seems a little more controlling then I think most people would feel comfortable.
This is just my opinion. I mean no judgment on anyone. If a parent chooses to keep soda out of their child's life, that is their choice and one I respect. But parents have the ability to explain their decisions better than the school system. There is a personal component in a parent-child relationship that does not exist in school.
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
14 Sep 08
So far the elementary school my kids go to have never had any kind of soft drinks in the school && don't plan to start. I do know the highschools allow it, but not a single elementary school. && that is a good thing in my eyes. I don't want my younger kids drinking pop at all, not at school && not at home. Have you seen what caffeine dose to kids who start drinking it early? Not a pretty site...
So it should be banned from all elementary schools in my opinion.
I honestly never knew they allowed soft drinks in the younger kids schools?
I know that High Schools && most Jr. High Schools have soft drinks available... but those are older kids && that is a different story. I don't think the kids in elementary school should be offered soft drinks. The ages range from 4 to 12 here in the elementary schools && that is a peek point for growing && soft drinks should be a no, no all over for this age group..
I know on a news letter from my daughters school, we parents were told to bring healthy snacks && drinks ONLY... on the days we contribute to the class that is.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
13 Sep 08
QUite frankly, I don't see why vending machines should be allowed in elementary schools, no matter what they have in them. They are expensive and only "usable" to the kids with "well to do" parents to give them the money. And those that couldn't afford the luxury would have to do without and would feel bad or left out or even made fun of cause they couldn't afford vending machine items. IF kids need a little snack before or after lunch, let them be able to bring something from home. Schools just don't get that, while they are all well paid, alot of kids parents are not, so the "niceities" the school offers are not always a good thing for kids. I mean, the kids can buy a coke in the vending machine but they can't bring one from home? And even if they could, by lunch time it'd be warm and shook up to much to open. My GD is in 3rd grade, she can't eat anything from her lunch box or bring anything extra, but she can bring money to buy something extra at the vending machine. Just makes money for the school and that is so wrong. HEre they go on about healthy lunches and increase the price to buy a "healthy" lunch, but sell junk food to anyone that has the money to buy it.
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
14 Sep 08
That is also a very good point... I agree with you about how it's only usable to some kids && others would feel left out because some parents honestly can't afford a dollar. Most parents these days have a tight budget. Heck my daughter has to bring 75 cent every Friday if she wants popcorn && I usually always send extra with a note to let the teacher know to use the extra money for someone that wasn't able to bring money. There has been days I had to send her to school without money for Fridays myself. 75 cents isn't much, but the day before payday sometimes can be hard && I know families that scrape by each day && that 75 cents probably could buy them bread for their family. Long story short... you made a good point. Wish the schools could see it that way.
@prinzess1515 (1341)
• United States
13 Sep 08
When I was in elementary, we didn't have any kind of soda or vending machines. It wasn't until middle school that we had them. I still don't think the elementary schools here have vending machines.
@nishkasmom (21)
• Philippines
13 Sep 08
i used to work in a private school where selling sodas is prohibited. i am a coke addict and that was really hard for me. i am all for healthy living and all, especially when it comes to kids. but the thing is, i really think it wasn't very effective because there are soda stands in front of the school, so after the day ends, everyone can just get their soda from them. it would have been better if they also banned those stands from selling sodas (although i think they can't do that becasue they are private establishmants).
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
14 Sep 08
Yeah but like they say.... whatever happens outside the schools they don't seem is their problem && from there on it's the parents doings && the parent should have to take control of that. I'm sure kids will sneek things they are not suppose to have. All kids do. But at least during those 7 hours the children can't have it while in school. Also the main reason most schools ban it is because some children do seem to act different after drinking a soft drink... I know my daughter becomes really moody && doesn't listen && that is why I have banned it from the house as well. So I think the main reason is so the children will focus more during school.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
13 Sep 08
Ours have banned it too. I think its a good idea to teach students to eat and drink healthy food. Although they can still buy soft drinks from corner shops in the vicinity of the school.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
13 Sep 08
It was definitely available when I was at school but I am not aware of it being at my children's schools though. They are with their Mother in my hom,e country so I am not actually sure! I think that it is a positive move to NOT sell soft drinks in schools at all. If parents wish to allow their kidsw to drink it outside of school then no issues but schools need to stop focussing so much on convenience and think more about the health of their students wherever possible. I am not saying BAN soft drinks at schools; just don't sell them from there!
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
13 Sep 08
My sons school the students are only allowed to get soda out of the soda machines before and after school. When I was in school ours were actually shut off during the school day because kids were sneaking to get them anyway even though we were not supposed to.
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
13 Sep 08
I think banning soft drinks in elementary schools is an excellent idea. Nowadays, children choose to eat pizza, hot dog, french fries, and fried chicken over whole wheat sandwiches, soup, etc. Serving healthier food in the school cafeteria will not only re-introduce a healthier diet to kids, it can also help to strengthen children's minds. When kids are older they can always buy pizza for lunch if they want. They can also have junk food at home. Anyway, I don't have a kid yet so I don't know what's being served in school haha.
@insulin (2479)
• Philippines
13 Sep 08
hi there.:-0 Well I never heard about this article but it is really good to the children so that they will be healthy,yeah Softdrinks is really not good at all because it contains caffiene and sugar but another bad thing about it is,it can cause hyper acidity or ulcer because we know that there are some kids who just drink soft drink without partnering it so it's really not good at all.Well i hope that they will banned it hear too to some elementary schools but I will check if they conduct that kind of law.:-0 Thanks for sharing.:-0 GOd bless and have a nice day and happymylotting.:-0
@dansrobe07 (35)
• Philippines
13 Sep 08
For me that was a great news. Soft drinks should be banned in schools because they are harmful to our health. We're just wasting our money on buying it. Instead of drinking carbonated drinks like soft drinks I most prefer drinking a lot of water. This will help our body from dehydration. Soft drinks just contained too much sugar which is not good on our body.
@joshua85 (71)
•
13 Sep 08
I think its a good idea to stop kids drinking too much soft drink.
I don't see whats wrong with them either having water or fruit flavoured water.
I have never really been into soft drinks myself but some friends swear by it and drink them all the time. When i was at school and on a hot day after playing some sport I would want a nice cold drink of water and not a coke. I find the soft drink doesnt cure your thirst.
Hopefully the lower sugar and caffeine is good for the kids and sees improved effects on their work. Along with better health and teeth.
@stormragetz (567)
• Singapore
13 Sep 08
I remember when I was in primary school in Singapore, soft drinks were banned. Everyone complained since it was a great joy to drink cheap soft drinks during break time. But after some time, everyone got used to fruit juices and did not made much fuss out of the whole incident.
I feel that soft drinks should be banned in schools. Kids will surely pick a soft drink over other kinds of drink because it is 'tastier'. Drinking soft drink may become a habit if they have access to such drinks in school. Imagine all the bad chemical stuff from the soft drinks accumulating inside your kids. Imagine the damage it will do from such a tender age. I am grateful that my primary school banned soft drinks. Today, I will gladly drink an apple juice rather than a coke.
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
13 Sep 08
I think soft drinks should be banned at all Elementary Schools. I just attended a seminar on healthy eating and we were told that one regular soft drink contained 13 teaspoons of sugar and consumeing one of those a day could add 30 pounds to you in a year. I know diet drinks don't taste the same and maybe they are unhealthy too. I think the problem is that our society is affluent and can afford to buy these drinks. When my kids were young they used to get a soft drink as a treat on special occasions. They never got into the habit of consuming large quantities of them because we gave them good information about healthy eating. The sad reality is that North Americns are becoming increasingly overweight and obese and young adults as young as 15 years old are starting to suffer from type 2 diabetis which is not reversible and can have devastating consequences. By allowing soft drinks at home and in schools are we making our kids sick?
@hellcowboy (7374)
• United States
13 Sep 08
That is a very interesting article and I have never stopped and thought about whether soft drinks would be allowed at elementary schools,I think I remember being able to buy soft drinks all through my years in school,and I think that soft drinks may be a bad idea because of all the sugar and caffeine in them,and I think that if they have not banned them in elementary schools then they should for the health of todays children.
@gracie04 (4549)
• Philippines
13 Sep 08
wayback in college, softdrinks were banned too... i guess, our school is just concerned about the health of their students and that's a good advocacy for other schools to follow... =)
@Sean_Jean (269)
• Canada
13 Sep 08
Thats not bad i guess. It does effect the little kids, with caffeine and high sugar. Theres this elementry school nearby where i live and i went there the other day and i spoke with the principal and he said that they did ban soft drinks and they did it for the kids.
@redwarrior82 (480)
• Singapore
13 Sep 08
It's banned in my child's school, as many of the school pupils are overweight due to too much sugar intake. I would advise my child not to take it, or else I would not give him extra pocket money for drinks.
