Will Drinking Milk Within 2 Hours Before a Game or a Workout Make You Throw Up?

Ditto Jill K, exactly. The ridiculous amount of sugar in Gatorade isn't worth it to me, and my kids coaches (all the way to high school) weren't fans either.
Milk may not give everyone a stomach ache but I remember it happening to me as a kid. We HAD to drink a serving of milk before afternoon recess and I dreaded it, especially on hot days, because if I ran around at all (which is what I wanted to do at recess, duh!) I had a tummy ache for the rest of the afternoon :-(

I do not think that is a rule, it may be that some people may throw up after drinking milk and then being active.

Just like some people may throw up after drinking too much water or juice.

Drinking liquids is a must when being active, especially in the heat.

FYI, I used to take damp wash cloths in the cooler to sporting events, If someone feels faint or over heated, placing a cool wet cloth on the back of their neck, wrists and behind their knees, can cool them down and take the nauseous feeling away.

Gatorade is full of artificial ingredients and chemical sweeteners. Water to drink and a banana to eat will give the same electrolyte benefit as a sports drink, without the junk parts.

The milk thing seems to be the case for some people, but it isn't a broad generalization. It may be true for her kids but not for yours.

Oh, please. She's making a huge generalization. Maybe her own kids can't drink milk before exercise but that does not apply to everyone else, or anyone else at all. Everyone's different.

Gatorade? Our pediatrician is against it. She says that the whole "it has electrolytes and kids need them during sports" thing is simply untrue. Replacing electrolytes is what you do when someone has been vomiting so much that their body chemistry is getting out of balance, or when someone -- like, say, an elite teen or adult athlete -- is exercising very hard in extreme conditions. It's not for kids running around the soccer field. The artificial colors alone throw some kids off, and the sugars and other chemicals are not healthy at all, while Gatorade has managed to convince parents that it's some kind of health drink and fine to drink by the gallon!

Water. Most kids in the U.S. are always at least slightly under-hydrated, at all times -- there was a recent report on that: A study published last year said that more than 2/3 of kids in this country are always somewhat dehydrated. Filling up on sugary (or fake-sugar-chemical) drinks like Gatorade tends to make kids feel full very fast so they don't drink enough of ANY fluids when they're gulping down Gatorade (or similar sports drinks).

Ask a pediatrician -- he or she will probably say to treat Gatorade like soda: Very little, period, and it's a treat, not a health supplement.

All the pediatric medical professionals I know recommend water, not sports drinks, for exactly that reason - the sugar is counter productive and water is much more effective than the hyped sports drinks. And milk after running around? Gag!

Eta - this article talks about the Gatorade/water difference - http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/exercises/...
If they are intensely working out for over an hour, Gatorade. Otherwise, no need.

Electrolytes are not needed except for endurance athletes. Think marathon runners and Ironman competitors. The rest of us just need water. It was a very effective advertising campaign that has made us spend money on drinks like Gatorade. It is full of sugar and artificial ingredients.

The milk thing depends on the person. I grew up drinking milk and it doesn't bother me to drink it before a workout, but I know others that can't stomach it. Do what works for you child.

The other mom was correct. Your 6yos only need water. Not only that, but water is the _best_ way for them to hydrate. As JB and others pointed out, Gatorade is only necessary for people who are seriously working out for a long time at a high level (i.e., high intensity or endurance athletes).

Maybe not within 2 hours, but drinking milk soon before running around would certainly make me sick! I guess it depends on the individual.

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Reading some of the other responses, Gatorade's marketing magic seems to have worked. It has certainly misinformed. Sorry folks, it is not necessary for most of us to replace electrolytes after our not-very-intense, not-particularly-long workouts.

Milk+heat+physical activity=an upset stomach often.
Think about that scene in Anchorman-"Milk was a bad choice!"
Gatorade IS full of sugar and water is actually better than sports drinks for hydration during activity.
So, no. She's not wrong.

for real?
i'm sure it's true for some, but for most, milk is just fine.
when i crossed the finish line of my first marathon there was an ice chest full of chocolate milk. it was probably the best thing i ever tasted, and exactly what my body needed.
gatorade does have electrolytes, and yes one does need to replenish electrolytes during intense physical exercise. and there are lots of better ways to do it than sugary gatorade. like bananas.
i'll take a sip or two if i'm on a very long run, but i actually find that gatorade upsets my stomach, so i carry electrolyte pills or fizzes for super-long runs.
drinking ANYTHING (including water) right before hard exercise will slosh around and makes your tummy feel off. but i think it's kinda ridiculous to put the kibosh on milk for 2 hours beforehand. unless milk makes you feel sick anyway, which is a different issue.
khairete
S.

I would think that they are old wives' tales. Honestly? I'd ignore the milk one if it doesn't make your kid throw up...

About the gatorade... BRING IT TO THE GAME. Have your son drink it and when she balks, tell her straight up that water has NO electrolytes. Tell her that if she doesn't want her son to have any electrolytes, it's up to her, but your son will.

Don't shrink in the face of cray-cray, mom...

You do actually need to replace lost electrolytes and salt. Gatorade is the easiest way to do that quickly, though there are other ways.
A friend of mine is a nurse. She told me the story of a guy at an activity we're both involved in. He was "staying hydrated", drinking tons of water, peeing up a storm. He thought he was doing well, until he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. He had done nothing to replenish his electrolytes or salts. It took 2 "banana bags" as they call them in the hospital which is potassium along with electrolytes and other things to finally get him stable.
Gatorade does have a good deal of sugar but it also has a lot of other good things that are needed and it's easy and fast. We always keep Jelly Belly brand "Sports Beans" in our bags when heavily active in the heat where we're going to sweat a lot. My nurse friend has these dissolvable electrolyte tablets that she keeps in her bag at all times and passes them out when she sees people looking peckish. For kids though, handing them a Gatorade is the easiest and best way. So long as they aren't drinking those solely, all day/every day, it's all good.
As to milk. I have no idea. I hate milk. Have since I was little. We are also a family with lactose issues so we don't drink much. I have no idea. It is something that makes since though. Could be an old wives tale though.

Well she knows HER kids - so it's probably true for them.
That doesn't mean her milk theory will work the same for YOUR kids.
We drink Gatorade during heavy work outs (we don't drink it at other times) - and we'll drink some water too.

Every Mom has something that works for them - and it's fine to share that - but you (she) has to realize there are more than one way to do things and that's fine too.

I'm hypoglycemic and find milk extremely helpful before and after working out. It's full of protein, which keeps my blood sugar levels stable during and after exercise. Her kids may have milk issues, but that's bad advice for the rest of the population.

Gatorade I would stay away from for the reasons already given. Water is better. My daughter is playing soccer in 90-105 degree heat and water is what is advised.

Well I don't know about the milk, as I have heard many coaches recommend chocolate milk after a good workout.

Sports drinks, though, really do have lots of sugar. Drinking a sports drink after a game is probably fine, but water is still better. Yes it has electrolytes, but there are many ways to replenish electrolytes that don't have as much sugar. That being said, it's important to drink. So if your kids will drink the sports drinks and might not drink as much water, sports drinks are probably a good idea.

Gatorade and Powerade have done a great job of selling themselves on electrolytes, but most of the time we are not really the desperate for electrolytes and water would be just fine.

Highly unlikely that milk a couple of hours beforehand will make him throw up, and Gatorade definitely won't. It's good to drink Gatorade during a game.

Sometimes eating a lot before a game can make people feel queasy, but drinking rarely does. I play soccer, so I've had some experience in this arena. She doesn't know what she's talking about.

ETA yes Gatorade is full of sugar, and somewhat akin to soda, but some sugar while you're playing isn't bad. Sugar gives you quick energy. Sugar isn't always evil.

My kids have both had milk within an hour of games (if they have morning games) and have never puked. One of my sons friends brought chocolate milk to his football game. We didnt know why he would want to but he drank it and was fine. I think this one is more of a personal issue but its not a "rule". I read somewhere that gatorade should only be drank if the sporting event or workout last more than an hour and you are sweating profusely. If your child isnt working up a sweat then they aren't loosing enough that water can't handle. However, my kids will drink more gatorade than water so I send them with both. One small bottle of gatorade and one big bottle or thermos of water that way I know they will stay hydrated.

1. Unless you are lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy, there is no reason milk would cause anyone to vomit before a game or workout.

2. Gatorade, Powerade and other similar electrolyte replacement drinks aren't really necessary for kids or anyone who isn't an athlete who engages in extreme physical activity. For the rest of us, regular nutrition, water, a banana, are all plenty to sustain and replace what is lost. It is highly unlikely that they would ever complete enough activity to merit their use. She's right....water is enough. If it is so hot that you do insist on a Gatorade, stick with the "lighter" versions, like G2, which don't have so much sugar.

I've never had that oroblem. One of my daughters is a runner and she drinks milk. Granted we have never had it immediately before hand but 2 hours.......

And the trainer at my daughters school tells them they should drink Gatorade rather than juice due to the sugar content.

ETA Thinking about it, I think there was a thing a couple of years ago about people that drink Gatorade as a regular drink instead of water. That was when they said not to drink so much but after sports and stuff it is the thing to have to replenish

Each child is different. Milk can sour in your stomach when it is warm out, hence her comment.

I will not allow my child Gatorade, it has the dyes in it and my kids are Dye free. I would consider the ones that are dye free, but my son does not like them. It is water for my family.

I agree with you on the gatorade....that is what it was invented for, you know sports?

I haven't exactly heard of the milk thing, but it makes sense since I know it can sour in the stomach, especially if it is hot like in Texas. I guess I would say maybe try it if you want or your kiddo does, and see what happens. If he doesn't want it, then no harm no foul. She sounds like she hears/reads things and doesn't follow up with all of the research. I mean she is right that Gatorade has all the sugar and stuff in it, but it is there for a reason!

I think milk is a preference. I wouldn't do it just because it sounds gross before running in the heat. My son won't drink before games, but my daughter will.

As far as gatorade it depends on you. Yes, their marketing is great. But, do you want to give your kids the dyes/sugar? If not, give them water. If so, let him have gatorade.

She really shouldn't be telling anyone else's kids not to do it. If your kid drinks milk and throws up he probably won't drink milk before a game again :).