Introduction
Decaf for kids. Is it safe to drink? As a parent, this is a question that has probably crossed your mind more than once. After all, if you’re like me, you’ve spent many sleepless nights wondering whether the caffeine in my morning coffee will cause my kids to fall asleep at school or have a meltdown during naptime. On the other hand, maybe you’re worried about them drinking too much decaf and not being able to function well throughout the day without their precious cup of joe (or tea). Whatever your concerns are, here’s what you need to know about decaffeinated coffee—and whether or not it’s safe for kids to drink:
Mormons and Coffee
The Mormon Church does not forbid coffee consumption. In fact, most Mormons drink coffee regularly and enjoy its taste and health benefits. The faith’s founder, Joseph Smith Jr., was known to drink tea and hot chocolate but never coffee (and he lived from 1805-1844).
However, there is some debate about how much caffeine is too much for children of any age–and even adults can be sensitive to the effects of caffeine. If you want your child to avoid caffeine entirely or limit his or her intake so that no one gets too jittery at school or church functions, decaf may be the way to go!
What is a Mormon?
A Mormon is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), which is also called the “Mormon Church.” The LDS church was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 and has more than 16 million members worldwide. It teaches that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he was resurrected after his death on the cross. Mormons believe in both the Bible and their own sacred text, The Book of Mormon.
Mormons have many different beliefs from other Christian religions such as Catholicism or Protestantism because they use additional scriptures as sources for their faith: The Bible; The Book Of Mormon; Doctrine & Covenants; Pearl Of Great Price
Why does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) avoid caffeine?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has a very specific reason for avoiding caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant, and it can cause anxiety and panic attacks in some people. It can also lead to insomnia, which is not good for anyone–especially kids who need their sleep!
Caffeine has been linked with heart palpitations, headaches and irritability as well.
How does the Church feel about decaffeinated coffee?
You may be wondering: Is decaf okay for kids? The answer is yes. While the Church does not have an official stance on the safety of caffeine, it has been shown that even small amounts of coffee have health benefits.
Decaffeinated coffee has less caffeine than regular coffee and therefore isn’t as good at keeping you awake or helping you focus. Therefore, if your child’s school allows them to drink caffeine (which they should), then they should opt for regular over decaf during school hours.
However, we do recommend avoiding caffeine altogether if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding because it can cause miscarriage or low birth weight in infants — even just one cup per day!
Is decaf coffee okay for kids to drink?
Decaf is okay for kids to drink. Decaffeinated coffee has fewer calories and less caffeine than regular coffee, so it’s a healthier alternative.
However, it may not taste as good and it’s more expensive than regular coffee. Also, if your child drinks decaf regularly (especially if he or she drinks large amounts), this can affect his or her ability to sleep at night because of its caffeine content–so be careful!
Decaf is okay for kids.
Decaffeinated coffee is a good alternative to regular coffee, especially if you want to limit your child’s caffeine intake. But don’t think that decaf is completely safe for kids.
The amount of caffeine in decaf varies depending on how it’s prepared, but most brands contain less than 5 mg per cup–about one-third as much as regular coffee (which has about 100 mg). According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children under 18 shouldn’t drink any caffeinated beverages including decaf because they may be at an increased risk for developing behavioral problems and learning disabilities. If you’re pregnant or nursing your baby, avoid all types of caffeinated drinks including decaf because they may harm your unborn child or breastfeed infant.[1]
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you decide whether or not your child should drink decaf coffee. It’s important to remember that the LDS church is against caffeine, but they don’t have any rules against decaffeinated versions of beverages like coffee or tea. So if your child enjoys drinking these types of drinks, then go ahead and give them a try!