Introduction The appropriate nutrition in school age children is the cornerstone of an assured lifetime of health and as such, a constant worry for most parents. The trend is worrying with the ever-increasing cases of lawsuits against companies producing products such as “nutrient water” based on the falsified claims of additive nutrient features. “Nutrient water” and other sugar containing drinks such as Gatorade and vitamin water are heavily consumed because they are actively marketed. According to Wang Y et al. (2008, p.1606) and Nielsen et al. (2001, p. 208), adolescents and children take about 13 per cent of their daily caloric intake from sugar-sweetened beverages. Grade three to six school children are among this age group. They are generally children between the ages of 8 years to 13 years. Studies have shown that children taking a lot of sweetened beverages reduce their milk consumption as well as intake of calcium, iron, folate, and vitamin A (Gortmaker et al , 2009). The report then goes on to conclude as to the findings of the various journals on which of the two is the better option and finally a recommendation as to the circumstances when their use is ideal for school-going children. The advantages and/or disadvantages of children regularly consuming “nutrient water” type drinks. Advantages Nutrient water encompasses the fortification of drinking water with various nutrient additives like vitamins, minerals and even sugars. The process ideally involves demineralization, remineralization and the alteration of the nutrient components. Nutrient water type drinks are usually a simple mixture of salt, sugar (sucrose and dextrose) and water with food colouring and citrus based flavours. The Mayo Clinic and the W.H.O reiterate this by advocating for the use of plain drinking water over these fortified drinks since what they simply add to the body is the calories and hydration. According to Gortmaker et al. (2009), these nutrients are absorbed faster hence, an adequate source of replenishing the used up nutrients in rapidly metabolizing school children. According to Chen (2010), they are suitable only for athletes during intense physical activity that lasts more than 90 minutes. A good example is Gatorade Quencher with up to 50 calories, carbohydrates of up to 14 grams, sodium and potassium at 110 and 30mg respectively. (Nielsen, 2004) Disadvantages Another example, the Glaceau Vitamin Water (20 oz bottle) contains 130 calories and 33 grams of sugar. It has been listed among the 20 unhealthiest drinks in America. According to (Nielsen, 2004), consumption of soft drinks, fruit drinks and carbonated drinks negatively impacts oral health and bone health and is associated with obesity in young people. The nutrient water drinks also have phosphoric acid, which is deposited in bones, leading to the formation of a reduced bone density and mass. Consumption of soft drinks has among girls been linked to a higher incidence of fractures. (Gortmaker et al , 2009). The advantages and disadvantages of children regularly consuming cow’s milk. Advantages Calcium in milk is well absorbed by the body. That is, it has higher bioavailability than calcium from vegetables like kales, broccoli and fruits (The Nutrition