Session 1

Starter Task In your exercise books, write down as many caffeinated soft drink brand names as you can think of Extension: How much do they cost?

Thinking about... Why do you think people drink energy drinks? Write down your notes in your work book

What do you think? Name one ‘positive’ thing about energy drinks Talk about your ideas as a class (note these in your work book) Now think of 3 reasons why children should not drink energy drinks – note these down too The cans even state that they are “not recommended for children” – why is that?

What about ‘energy’ drinks? Energy drinks and nutrition bars often make big promises. Some say they'll increase energy and alertness, others offer extra nutrition, and some even claim to boost your athletic performance or powers of concentration. But once you cut through the hype and look past the flashy packaging on energy products, chances are what you are mostly getting is a stiff dose of sugar and caffeine.

What is caffeine? Is it natural or man made? –Caffeine occurs naturally in plants like tea, coffee and cocoa. It is added to some medicines to help the body absorb them, and also to some drinks and confectionary What does it do? –At its simplest, it can prevent drowsiness and increase alertness So why is it used?

Risks If too much caffeine is used, what might it impact on? –Sleep –Anxiety levels –Mood swings –Withdrawal What can be the knock on effects of each one - both in and out of school?

3 things you discovered today From the information on caffeine – write down 3 things you found out today! If you knew it all already – write down 3 facts about caffeine!

Session 2

Caffeine How should caffeine be categorised? Is it… –… an ingredient? –…. a supplement? –…. a drug? How is it consumed?

Exercise Using the examples given, rank each product according to the amount of caffeine you think they contain Highest to lowest

Large energy drinkMug filter coffeeMug instant coffeeEnergy drink ‘shot’Small energy drinkMug teaPlain chocolate barCan of colaMilk chocolate bar

Large energy drink Mug filter coffee Mug instant coffee Energy drink ‘shot’ Small energy drink Mug tea Plain chocolate bar Can of cola Milk chocolate bar 160mg 50mg 40mg 25mg 140mg 100mg 80mg 75mg

How much is ‘healthy’? Find out the recommended UK ‘healthy’ amounts for –Exercise –Eating fruit and veg –Alcohol consumption Are there differences for adults and children? Find out if there are similar guidelines for caffeine

How much is ‘healthy?’ No UK guidelines –Is this important? Canada recommends no more than –45mg day for 4-6 yr olds –62mg day for 7-9 yr olds –85mg day for yr olds –100mg day for adolescents?

How much is ‘healthy’? Go back to the sorting exercise What does 100mg of caffeine mean in reality? How easy is it to go over this?

Caffeine How should caffeine be categorised? Is it… –… an ingredient? –…. a supplement? –…. a drug? Should the UK have more information on caffeine content in some products?

Session 3 Thinking starter task - Look at the labels on energy drinks – what are they telling you?

What the labels miss… Need the loo? Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it causes a person to urinate (wee) more. It's not clear whether this causes dehydration or not. To be safe, it's probably a good idea to stay away from too much caffeine in hot weather, during exercise, or in other situations where you might sweat a lot (so energy drinks are not what you need for exercise)

‘Morrisons ban energy drinks’ Complete task sheet based on info from these sources: Newspaper article herehere School project YouTube clip herehere

Tasks Look at the newspaper article and answer the questions in your sheets If you have time, do the same for the radio report on how a school council tackled the issue in their school

What do you know? What do the manufacturers and retailers really think about children’s health? Which approach do you think is more successful and why? – Banning sales – Educating young people more – Anything missing?

Extension Write your own news article for your school’s newsletter based on your views about energy drinks being banned in school. You can address it to students, parents, staff or the community

Session 4 Thinking starter: Think about the market for teenage drinks What are they trying to “sell” – what would be a positive message to young people?

Be creative You are going to develop your own ENERGY drink – but without the chemicals and side effects! Think about natural products that give you energy/are healthy! Write a list of ingredients you consider ‘harmless’: 1) 2) 3) 4)

Now write a list of ingredients you consider ‘unhealthy’: 1) 2) 3) 4)

Now think about your new drink! Step 1: What are the key natural ingredients? Step 2: Name of your new drink Step 3: Packaging and marketing ideas Step 4: Who would you target? How? Why?

Get going! Now create a poster advertising your new drink for teenagers! Be prepared to present to the rest of the group Use sheets to assess each other constructively!

Session 5 Thinking starter: Why do you think energy drinks are banned in some schools?

Think about… What do you think the main reasons are for companies to target teenagers or children when selling energy drinks – don’t they have enough energy? Is there a difference between an ‘energy’ drink and a ‘sports’ drink?

Your opinion... Give 2 examples of what could happen if someone has an energy drink 10 minutes before a lesson… Give 2 examples of what could happen if someone had an energy drink 2 hours ago and they now have a lesson…

What do YOU think? What is your opinion of a ban on energy drinks in school? Use your own previous knowledge to support your opinion

Discussion & debate task In groups of 4-6 you are going to discuss the following: Should caffeinated drinks be made illegal? Should laws be put in place to ensure they are not sold to under 18s? Should the risks involved be clearly advertised? (like cigarette packs) What is your opinion on caffeinated drinks?

Session 6

Solutions... Where would you go if you were worried about someone who was drinking too many energy drinks? If you were worried about your own consumption of energy drinks... where would you go for help?

Agony Letter Dear Deidre, I cannot help drinking energy drinks. I started out just having one every so often but now I drink 5 or 6 a day. I find them cheaper than water in the shops. I do not do any sport but find that they keep me awake. However sometimes I cannot sleep at night because my heart is racing – then I wake up late and my mum shouts at me. My teacher told me that I was getting grumpy when I do not drink them – but I can’t help it. I know I need to cut down the amount I drink – 5 cans a day is the same as 25 chocolate bars in sugar! I just do not know where to start. Alex, 14, Faversham.

Planning your answer As a group come up with some of the solutions How can you support them? Who else could help them?

Prevention and solution Limiting someone’s use of energy drinks to one serving per day can help prevent dependence and other side effects. People should always see their GP before using energy drinks if they have a medical condition like heart disease or diabetes. Read the label for serving sizes, caffeine content and other information To prevent unwanted interactions, avoid combining energy drinks with other stimulants like caffeine If someone finds it difficult to stop using energy drinks, gradually reducing their caffeine intake over several weeks may make it easier and avoid severe withdrawal symptoms. Seek help by confiding in friends, family, teachers or medical professionals if they think they cannot do any of this alone.

Helpful websites es/water-drinks.aspx es/water-drinks.aspx

Now… Answer this agony aunt letter, remembering to write in appropriate language! Dear Alex,