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hvparent.com ■ Hudson Valley Parent 37 of Coke contains 58. The latest trend of energy drinks for kids has nutritional health advo- cates worried. Thanks to the advent of Red Bull and Monster drinks, the flood gates have been opened for nu- merous food and drink supplemented with caffeine. Those little yellow "5-Hour Energy" shots? They contain 200 mg of caffeine in each bottle. "I've seen a lot of kids addicted to energy drinks, using it too late during the day, and lying about their use," says Dr. Barbara Payne, a pediatrician at Mount Kisco in Rhinebeck. "Quite honestly, we should ask more kids about their caffeine use. We ask them about drug and alcohol use, but not about caffeine. I'm not even sure they see it as a drug." "Energy" and empty calories Nancy Case, a nutritionist and dietitian in Dutchess County, says parents often complain to her about their child's nervousness, restlessness and poor appetite, while having no idea how much caffeine their child is consuming. She has also seen a correlation between caffeine con- sumption and sleep issues in Hudson Valley children. What Case finds even more dis- concerting is that children are using energy drinks to replace what could have been nutritious snacks, espe- cially the more active kids who are involved sports. Caffeine can also increase the amount of calcium that is flushed out in the urine, thereby causing calcium deficiency. "This in turn adversely affects the nutritional needs of children," she says. "They are merely consuming empty calories." Dr. Maria Cecilia Melendres, a pediatric pulmonologist and sleep specialist at John Hopkins Children's Center, notes that overloading on caf- feine actually prevents the brain from functioning optimally. "Teens are still undergoing brain maturation and sleep is especially (Continued on Page 38) We Grow Fun Our farm is open to families every Wednesday through Saturday in July and August! Except 4th of July Your family or group is sure to love our Summer Fun Activities including: • Bouncy Pillow • Harvest Your Own Salad • Gem Mining • Giant Slide • Pedal Karts • Cow Train Rides Hurds Family Farm 2187 State Rte. 32, Modena 845-883-7828 HurdsFamilyFarm.com Book your farm birthday party online! Museum Village 1010 State Route 17M • Monroe, NY 10950 845-782-8248 www.MuseumVillage.org SUMMER HOURS AT MUSEUM VILLAGE! We're open Tuesday-Sunday 11am - 4pm And don't miss our Figherfighters' Day on July 18 th 11-4pm where we'll have old-fashioned carnival games, bucket brigade, hot-dog eating contest, face painting, and more!