The Parenting Buzz : Caffeine Break

Two posts about caffeine and one about some light “caffeine break” reading:

Parenting Ideas blogs about Diet Sodas and How They Can Affect Kids – reminding parents that although diet sodas contain less sugar, they still contain high levels of caffeine. Caffeine, which is a diuretic, can cause dehydration. When a body is dehydrated it cannot efficiently flush out toxins, leading to a number of negative side effects, including headache, constipation, poor concentration, fatigue and bad breath;

In their weekend Health Roundup, Mombian notes that scientists at the National Research Council in Madrid have confirmed that brewed coffee contains fiber. While it has long been known that coffee beans were rich in dietary fiber, the good folks from Madrid have confirmed that brewed coffee also contains it. In fact, a 16 ounce cup of brewed coffee (think “grande” from Starbucks) could contain as much as 3 grams of fiber, about the same as a raw apple. Once you’ve finished your caffeine-induced Happy Dance (guilt-free coffee! Yippee!) over this new source of fiber read the rest of the article to find out why you shouldn’t be throwing the Quaker Oats out just yet…

And finally, a good book to read whilst on your caffeine break: How to Fit a Car Seat on a Camel, edited by Sarah Franklin; to be published by Seal Press, Spring 2008. Literary Mama reports that Seal Press is accepting submissions for this upcoming collection of humorous essays about traveling with children. Essays should be 1,000 to 3,000 words in length; submission deadline is May 1, 2007.

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