Diet Soda . . . right for children? right for you?

++  Many of the parents I counsel tell me that it is okay to give their children all the pop and Kool-ade that they ask for because they use the sugar-free versions.  Unfortunately, they are overlooking a few things, and not always through their own fault.

• Sugar substitutes are not tested on children.  Growing bodies have different needs and different tolerance levels than adults. 
• When you give children something to eat or drink, you are not just providing calories and nutrients.  You also are teaching the children what foods and what eating behaviors you consider right for them, now and in the future. 
• Many of these drinks are relatively high in acid.  Even without sugar, this can contribute to tooth decay when you are sipping throughout the day. 
• There are many research studies that link drinking sugar-sweetened beverages to obesity.  There are none that even suggest that consuming "diet" drinks prevents obesity.  In fact, a few studies show that people who drink diet beverages gain more weight than they would with just water.  (I would like to see how unsweetened tea or black coffee compare.)   They have discovered a few reasons why this is so, but not how.  A) rationalization:   "I've been drinking diet soda all day, so I can have an extra helping of dessert at supper."   B) craving:  The more artificial sugar your body gets, the more it makes you hungry for the real thing. 

Have a glass of water!  It's on the house!