I'd also be cautious of giving small children caffeinated tea. If you're going to give them anything, I'd brew up a very mild, caffeine-free herbal tea.hotfortea wrote:Does anyone have small children that drink herbal teas? I drink about 5 cups of tea per day and I am trying to get my 5 year old to drink tea because of the many health benefits.
Todor
I don't think you need to focus on or be concerned with the "health benefits of tea" for young children. There are so many more important things...make sure your kids are getting enough fresh fruits and vegetables, enough healthy fats (fatty fish is a great source), and avoiding highly processed foods.
The catechins and other chemicals in tea, like L-theanine, definitely have some positive effects on health, but they're not essential nutrients. Vitamins, minerals, protein, and omega 3 / omega 6 fats ARE essential to the diet.
I think in the long-run, I'd start thinking about exposing your children to different flavors and aromas...include different spices in your meal, starting in small amounts...let the kids smell and taste spices and experiment with them. This will help them develop a taste for bitter, aromatic food and drink, which in the long-run will help them to appreciate tea later, and which will help them avoid falling into the rut of unhealthy processed foods (which tend to be sweet, salty, less bitter, and less aromatic than natural foods).
=)