Should I Let My Tween Drink Diet Soda?

There are few things that I absolutely will not let my children consume, and diet soda is one of them. Here's why. 

1. Diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners.

I don’t allow my kids to have artificial sweeteners because of the controversy around how they might cause cancer, as well as diabetes and obesity. The National Cancer Institute says that “studies of other FDA-approved sweeteners have not demonstrated clear evidence of an association with cancer in humans." No clear evidence means that it's not worth the risk to me. 

2. I can’t pronounce the ingredients.

According to Coca-Cola, these are the ingredients in Diet Coke: Carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzonate, natural flavors, caffeine, citric acid. Contains a source of phenylalanine. Hmmmm… If I can’t pronounce most of these ingredients, they have no need to be in my childrens’ bodies.

3. Diet soda can ruin your teeth.

The most common acids found in diet sodas, phosphoric acid and citric acid, are erosive to tooth enamel. The Journal of The American Dental Association reported in 2003 that you should wait to brush your teeth for 30 minutes after drinking soda because it gives your saliva a chance to wash away most of the acids before you scrub them into the enamel of your teeth. My tweens have teeth that are still developing – I’m not about to let them bathe those new teeth in acid.

I’m a reasonable person. If we go out to eat at a restaurant, I’ll allow the boys to get a Sprite, and even once in a while, a Coke or root beer. But diet sodas have no place in their diet. 

Do you allow your children to drink diet soda? Do you prefer your children to drink them?