I never thought I would be talking about Kool-Aid on my site. But I recently read an article in the paper that caught my attention and made me curious.
The article I was reading was talking about the anniversary of Kool-Aid. Did you know it has been around since the 1927? I didn’t know that. The original six flavors were raspberry, cherry, grape, lemon, orange, and root beer. Not sure the root beer one sounds very good, but I am sure we are all familiar with the other flavors.
What caught my attention in the article was the quote “it’s a rare mom or dad who hasn’t stirred up a pitcher of Kool-Aid for the kids on a hot summer day”. Guess what? I am rare. Yep, my kids have never had Kool-Aid. Well, maybe they have had it, but I have never served it. If they had it, it was at someone else’s house or picnic, not mine.
I can’t let my kids drink it, I just can’t. It is full of junk. It is mainly sugar and preservatives. Why would I let my kids drink that all day? Even before I watched the amount of preservatives and junk food we ate, I did not serve it to them. On a hot summer day we drink ice water. I don’t consider that mean, I think it is saving their health and teeth. But maybe that is just me.
I did grow up drinking the stuff, not a lot, but some. I remember my mom making popsicles out of it. And yes, I have great memories of drinking ice cold Kool-Aid on a hot summer day. But I think that is one memory my kids won’t have.
But do you know what, I did not feel like I was depriving my children a “right” of summertime until I read this article. In fact I never really thought about the fact that my kids don’t drink Kool-Aid. I never realized “everyone” else gave their kids Kool-Aid.
So, this all got me curious. Am I that rare? Does everyone really serve their kids Kool-Aid? Please tell me I am not the only one that avoids Kool-Aid.
My son has never had Kool-Aid either. I won’t let him drink pop because of all the sugar and caffeine; why would I let him drink Kool-Aid?
I have two kids under the age of 6 who have never had Kool-Aid either and I don’t plan on ever buying it either. They love drinking ice cold water and milk! What else do they need right? 🙂
I do let my kids have kool aid but it’s more on the rare side. I also only let them have sodas on rare occasions. Usually we have sweet tea (made by me with about 1 and a 1/3 cup of sugar per gallon), 100% fruit juice or milk. I haven’t made the kids drink plain water much (though I do try to water down their juice when I can). But I need to get better about making them drink plain water.
I don’t think you’re as rare in today’s world. I think many of us are more conscious of the things in our food/drink now.
God bless,
Amanda
I didn’t grow up drinking Kool-aid. It was used to flavor punch and to make sherbert. I also didn’t give it to my kids growing up except for the above mentioned. You can make sherbert with the unsweetened Kool-aid; 1 pkg. Kool-aid, 1 cup sugar, and 2 cups milk. Freeze mixture. Take out and mash with fork or mixer. Refreeze. Serve. Makes about 4 servings. Because of all the sugar, it is not a frequent treat at our house but does taste better than other store bought sherberts.
I avoid Kool-Aid like the plague myself, so I can’t see that I will ever serve it to my kids. I find it way too sweet to enjoy it. My Mom never served it to me, and I don’t feel deprived! 🙂
My oldest is 8 and I have never made Kool-aid for them. I actually don’t even allow them to drink it when we go to picnic. I make sure to bring 100% juice boxes with me and that is the only time they get those. At home we have water, milk or ice tea made without sugar. Kool-aid is only cheap until you have to take your kids to the dentist
I don’t buy kool-aid either. I did drink it when I was a kid and I have bought it a few times over my almost 17 years of parenting but it’s been a long time and my kids don’t even want it I don’t think. To be perfectly honest, it’s gross! haha!
I grew up not drinking Kool-aid but my hubby did and he still likes to drink it so I have to buy it. As for my kids, I used to let them have it on a regular basis mostly because hubby is always drinking it–we would have 100% juices in the fridge and jug of Kool-aid. NOW(for the last 3-4 years) that I am a bit more conscious of what they are drinking, it is a rare treat for them to have it even though I have it in the house. I push water, 100% juices, and milk for their drinks.
Also when we make Kool-aid I get the unsweetened packets and we fill the container over the 64 oz mark–more like to 76 oz mark and use one packet for that much water along with 3/4 cup of sugar.
One of these days, I will just flat out refuse to buy Kool-aid, along with stopping the buying of soda pop too! 🙂
I know my girls have had Kool Aid elsewhere, but I have never purchased it. My dh and I don’t like it, so it never occured to me to serve it to them.
“Here, have some sugar and red 40. You’ll love it.” Ick.
My son has never had kool-aid either. I would rather be the uncool mom than pump my kid with all of that junk! I am thankful my parents never had it around b/c I don’t have a taste for that artificial stuff as an adult. My son’s favorite drink is the cream top grass fed milk from our local dairy so kool-aid doesn’t have a chance at my house!
I did not allow my kids to have Kool-Aid. They were allowed pop on very rare, very special occasion. They are now fit, healthy adults with beautiful teeth!
We never had Kool-Aid growing up, but did have 100% juice.
We don’t have kids yet, but I know my husband will be cheering for some sugary drinks because of his sweet tooth. I’m much more health-conscious! We’ll see what happens!
My son is 3 and has never had Kool Aid. People think I’m crazy because I don’t even give him juice. He LOVES milk and mostly drinks that.
We just took him for his first dentist appointment and the dietary guideline the dentist gave me yesterday specifically says “No Kool Aid, sodas, or Gatorade”. The dentist was thrilled to hear that my son wasn’t getting any of those things and he had a great check up. I myself have a sweet tooth, so I’m hoping to not pass that on to my son.
I have never made Kool-Aid. My kids have had it at other people’s house’s and don’t like it.
No Kool-Aid at our house either! The empty calories are just not needed by my children. Ice water, limited apple juice, and milk are the only choices that my children get. Soda/sweetened drinks are rare treats at holidays.
I rarely, and I mean RARELY, serve kool-aid. I don’t know why they still manufacturer that stuff. It is just dye and sugar. YUM YUM! :}
My kids are teens now, and they are into the pop thing, and that is a battle. When they were little, I always just gave them water or milk, and usually a serving of fruit juice once a day. And, they got along fine and are healthy!!
I give kool-aid a big thumbs down for the empty calories!!
I buy Kool-Aid but we don’t drink it. Kool-Aid makes a wonderful dye! it will dye almost any natural fiber–wool, cotton, etc. It’s also great to use with kids because you don’t need any toxic chemicals (unless you consider the Kool-Aid toxic) and it cleans up fairly easily. I dye yarn all the time and we’re going to try tie-dye t-shirts sometime this summer.
My kids drink water and milk. When we have juice in the house, it’s always watered down.
No Koolaid here and it was a rare occasion if my mom gave it to us. I don’t even give a lot of juice, usually just a splash and the rest of it is water.
My kids don’t get kool-aid. They get 100% juice that’s watered down or milk.
Wow! This is helpful. I don’t know this drink or I don’t recall it. But my son’s b-day is around the corner and he asked me if we can have that juice for the class. He saw it at someone’s house and some other kids in school.
I normally read or find out how healthy the drink or food is before serving to anyone. So I have an answer already and is big NO…no no no…I will stick with my organic juices or 100% juices, if needed.
Thanks again!