Propel Water

First thing I would suggest is that you find a way to convince your husband to stop drinking Propel Water! the artificial sweeteners contained in this questionable beverage are not good for anyone! There are direct links to metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, weight gain, not to mention neurological effects! Artificial sweeteners are highly addictive and cause sweet cravings.
The best beverage for dad and for sons to be drinking is good old H20!! Preferably filtered tap water, which costs 200 to 1000 times LESS than bottled water!

Keep in mind that pound for pound, children are exquistetly more sensitive to chemicals like artificial sweeteners, refined sugars and artificial colors found in these "fitness drinks". Physicians who say that this doesn't matter are not fully informed. Keep in mind that most physcians have no training in nutrition!

Also note that the American Academy of Sports Medicine only recommends electrolyte replacement in situations of extreme physical activity lasting 3 hours or more. Like marathon training!Does your husband work out to that extent? At that point, it's super easy to make a sports drink with just water, lemon juice, honey and a touch of sea salt!

The food indsutry has been working full throttle to keep these beverages in schools and to convince those concerned with fitness to drink this garbage. That is because millions / billions of dollars of profit are at stake.
The whole sports water/ fitness water craze is simply marketing! Don't get suckered in my the food industry! take you power back as a smart consumer and save your money and your health. Drink real Water!
Times are tight right now financially for many of us, why waste money on useless/ potentially hazardous beverages when we live in a country that has a good water system? Not to mention the environmetal issues connected to plastic water bottles? Do a quick math test and calculate how much money your family wastes on these products in a week or a month! that is money that could go to way better uses.
When it comes to your family's health, real water is the best insurance policy!

2 moms found this helpful

Hi T.,

This is a topic very close to my heart, so I am sorry if I am a little abrasive or defensive. Just to let you know, I was at one point working on my masters in Nutrition.

If it were me, I'd not allow it very often - maybe once a week, like a Saturday afternoon after a TON of playing and sweating as a treat. Maybe come up with something else to be their "thing" - like chocolate milk made at home with Ovaltine.

My reasons:
1> Ok, it's not pop they are drinking, so that's better - relatively speaking. However, it's some sort of Fake Sugar in it. For me, my body metabolizes all Fake Sugar the same as real sugar, so I get sugar highs, crashes, and extra body weight. I don't want my child to go through that until she's a bit older - like junior high or after a good full sports practice.
2> There's no good research on Fake Sugars and children's growth and the effects therein.
3> Fake Sugars and HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) can build up in the liver causing issues over time. Why start this process so early?
4> I know that Propel can be a source of vitamins and minerals (check the labels), but I'd prefer my child to get that from natural food sources. Maybe your child is a picky eater, so this might be helpful for you.
5> Propel is made by Gatorade, which I believe is part of Pepsi or Coke. Personally, I have issues with kids under 8 contributing to big-honking corporations, including Mattel and McD's.

I am sure some people will find this response reactionary, but if it were Beer, everyone would say "NO WAY!" because we know the effects of alcohol. These beverages are made for adults doing activities. Just because there isn't a ton of research out there about Fake Sugars effect on the body doesn't mean it's OK - let alone on what it could do to a child.

These are my opinions so take it or leave it, but for me and my family I am definitely uncomfortable with it.

Good luck -
A.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi T., I have the same situation with my 4 year old. I spoke to both Propel and my doctor. Both said it is fine for my son to drink, as long as it is limited. I buy the small bottles and only let him have 1/4 of it a day when he is with "Daddy". They call it their "special drink" for dinner time. If you're having a hard time limiting him, buy some naturally flavored water and transfer it to the Propel bottle. Good luck to you. I hope this helps. J.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi T.,

This is a great question and it is one that many people are unclear on, so thank you for asking it!

As a nutritionist I always recommend that clients, friends, family (really anyone who asks my opinion) NEVER EVER use artificial sweeteners. When in doubt use the real thing in small doses.

Splenda simply hasn't been tested by enough independent researchers to safely say that it is OK for anyone, especially children to ingest.

Recently, there have been independent reviews that are already connecting Splenda with migraines and even possibly showing it to be a carcinogen.

Dr. Mercola has written a book called Sweet Deception and it addresses the whole artificial sweetener controversy. You can check it out on his website, www.mercola.com.

In the meantime, I suggest you play it safe... give your little one a safe alternative with small amounts natural sugar. At least you know where it came from and the effect it will have on his body. At this point, we have no idea if the body even knows how to process these artificial sweeteners and if it can/will cause metabolic issues long term.

Best to you and your boys!
Be Well,
A.

1 mom found this helpful

hi T., i also drink the propel water and my 2 year old son always wants "mamas water" so i dilute it like i do with all his juices. i dont know if i have to b/c its water but thats what i do! good luck, B.

1 mom found this helpful

There is nothing wrong with propel, it's just water with some added sugar. Because of the extra sugar you may want to limit his intake so he is not taking sugar in all day long, but there is nothing bad for him in it.

*Edit*

After someone messaged me I figured I would edit my post, Propel has artificial sweeteners in it, not sugar, which I didn't word right. These sugars are controversial but just visit the FDA's website and look for yourself, there is no evidence proving they are bad. I guess it's your own call on whether you feel comfortable with it or not. I personally feel everything is fine in moderation.

1 mom found this helpful

I had asked my pediatrician about that when my daughter was the same age and she said that in moderation it is ok but not to exceed one bottle per day.

1 mom found this helpful