would giving a 5 year old boy a hot chocolate drink every day at breakfast time be a good or a bad idea. Why?

Answer 1

Personally I wouldn't. mainly because he will be going to school, and as you know chocolate is a stimulant. It may well make him hyper so just normal milk with the breakfast should be ok.

Answer 2

I have heard that feeding your child chocolate cereal in the morning is a good idea to help them learn better during the day. The caffeine in chocolate is enough to keep them alert during the hardest parts of the day when a school.
If the hot chocolate does have a lot of sugar or caffeine then it may not be a good idea to serve it to him every day as caffeine can cause some long term affects and can become and "addiction". The sugar could lead to weight issues, diabetes, hyperactivity, and other problems. If you can find a healthy alternative to your typical hot chocolate (perhaps a sugar free or something) then I would chose that. And don't go adding gobs of whipped cream on top.
The only other problem is putting him on a daily routine of hot chcolate, much like coffe for adults will become a dependence for him, and there is a possibility that he will start drinking things like soda and coffee regularly at an early age. You may want to (as someone above pointed out) use it as a treat. If he has been wel behaved then give him hot chocolate for breakfast.
But otherwise I think it's fine, and I know i outgrew a lot of my eating habits from when iwas 4 and 5 so it's possible that although he may enjoy hot chocolate at breakfast everyday now, that in a year or so he may not be able to stand the taste of it anymore.

Oh also, if you feel any concern you may want to talk to a doctor about any health risks with it. But i don't think it's a major problem

Answer 3

I'm amazed at some of these answers - hot chocolate is a normal part of breakfast throughout large parts of Europe and Mexico.

Never heard such rubbish as being hyper or bouncing off walls, I am usually very tolerant - but honestly the child would have to have an allergy leading to for example migraine or a super-sensitivity to theobromine to end up like this.

Make it with milk and without sugar preferably - but it is not a good idea to give aspartame filled products to youngsters - the sweetener in many sugar-free products.

Fantastic drink for breakfast - it never did me any harm, and I am not a chocoholic - in fact I only like it in limited quantities.

Answer 4

I would say a good idea in the winter, especially if he go to school al ready and waits on the bus. It keeps his body warm. In hotter weather I don't see any thing wrong with it unless he has a wait problem. Is giving him a hot chocolate every morning the only way he will eat all his breakfast? If so, then I there is nothing wrong with it, because it is a reward for doing something right!

Answer 5

Here in Spain most children will have a chocolate drink every morning. You can buy a big variety of chocolate powders, including low sugar, low fat or with added cereals. It's recommended to also have cereals or bread, and some form of fruit. All together it is considered a healthy start of the day. Make sure your child brushes his teeth before going off to school and don't worry about it....

Answer 6

If the child does not have weight issues,no. If there may bee an issue there are sugar free drinks you can give him that taste just as good. Also make sure if it does have sugar in it that he brush his teeth after breakfast to insure no cavities develope. Also try cold chocolate milk every now and then to break up the monotony. If still unsure ask your doctor.

Answer 7

I am amazed by some of the answers on here!

If you make hot chocolate with milk and 1-2 teaspoons of hot chocolate powder it's actually a very healthy drink. Similar to a fruit yogurt in fact, in terms of sugar content.

Most so-called 'healthy' breakfast cereals, like shreddies and branflakes, have more sugar than that per bowl. The sugary cereals many people feed their kids, like frosties and coco pops, have way more than that.

And as for white toast and jam... more sugar than both.

Perhaps give him a banana, or a muffin with peanut butter with it, and he'll have a healthier start to his day than the 80% of americans who eat donuts for breakfast!!)

Answer 8

The Spanish usually give their kids chocolate milk for breakfast and it seems to have no adverse effects. The child will be getting a calcium intake and if you're worried about the stimulant you can always give the child one of the chocolate drinks with fewer calories.

Answer 9

A lot depends upon the product itself. Most choc drinks contain choc extract and not choc - check out the label. Chocolate supplies massive energy which a 5 year old needs. Avoid giving him choc drinks which contain added sugar - sugar free if possible. Chocolate is beneficial to the human condition.

Answer 10

I really don't think that giving him one cup of hot chocolate would be any problem. I would make it with milk and not water so he gets his milk. As for the whole chocolate/caffeine issue, there really isn't that much caffeine in it. If he wants it and drinks it why start the day with an argument. At that age, the disagreements with parents begin, and you have to pick your battles. Hot chocolate - not worth the battle.