Family and kids

Q. Are energy drinks safe for kids to drink?

20 January 2014 by Catherine Saxelby

Q. Are energy drinks safe for kids to drink?

A. Energy drinks are really soft drinks with caffeine whether it's added or derived from guarana, the seeds of a climbing vine native to South America. Or both. The level of caffeine is generally around 80 mg per 250ml can, which is around twice what you'd get from a 375 ml can of cola soft drink (which has always contained a small amount of caffeine) and roughly equal to a cup of brewed coffee.

Q. Why do kids refuse to eat vegies?

17 January 2014 by Catherine Saxelby

Q. Why do kids refuse to eat vegies?

A. Lots of reasons ranging from the colour (green means 'yuk' to many kids), texture, as well as their strong, distinctive taste. If...

Q. Our kids have so many activities after school it’s hard for us all to eat together. Does this matter?

13 January 2014 by Catherine Saxelby

Q. Our kids have so many activities after school it’s hard for us all to eat together. Does this matter?

A. Family meals are really important – not only for nutrition but for the conversation. A large US study has confirmed that eating...

Goat's milk, soy milk or cow's milk - how do they compare nutritionally?

10 January 2014 by Catherine Saxelby

Goat's milk, soy milk or cow's milk - how do they compare nutritionally?

Q. I have a two-year-old son who is lactose intolerant. How do goat's milk and soy milk compare nuritionally to ordinary cow's milk?...

Q. Should children drink low-fat or full-fat milk?

20 December 2013 by Catherine Saxelby

Q. Should children drink low-fat or full-fat milk?

[THE QUESTION IN FULL] Q. We hear about childhood obesity all the time. Should kids be switching to lite milk or stay...

Q. How often should my teenage kids eat fast food?

12 September 2013 by Catherine Saxelby

Q. How often should my teenage kids eat fast food?

A. No more than twice a week, according to a recent US study. The CARDIA study, the first over the long-term to investigate the link...