People Who Shame Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino Drinkers Are SERIOUSLY Messed-Up

Few things make me angrier than the way society shames parents who aren't "perfect."

Except maybe people who add fat-shaming, food-shaming, and body-shaming to their parent-shaming.

And we saw that in spades this past week as Starbucks released its most recent dressed-up milkshake, the unicorn Frappuccino.

via Facebook 

Of course, all want to raise our kids to be healthy, happy, compassionate and good citizens. 

And we shouldn't just be passive when we see parents mistreating their children. 

But let's be very clear here:

Giving your kid a unicorn Frappuccino at Starbucks is not bad parenting. 

Unless your child is allergic to an ingredient in the colorful milkshake, or has another medical condition, allowing them to have a special treat is not dangerous.

The sugar will NOT kill you, or cause diseases that "eat your liver" like I read on someone's page last night. That is not a real thing.

So people need to STOP shaming others who want to try a unicorn Frappuccino, or who allow their kids to have one.

Here's why: 

There is no science that says sugar is dangerous for children.

If your child eats an otherwise balanced diet, it is totally okay to have a milkshake — even a magically-colored one with lots of fat and sugar.

Sure, sugar in excess is unhealthy for kids and adults alike. But unless your child is partaking in this treat on a regular basis, or in place of nutritious food, a milkshake is not a horrible parenting choice.

On top of the shaming, people who make these "Diabetes" jokes about the unicorn Frappuccino are doing a LOT of harm to children who actually have Diabetes.

Jennifer Foreman, a mom of three, including one child with Type 1 Diabetes, explains why your seemingly innocent jokes are actually pretty awful:

"It's irritating and offensive, as a mother of a kid with Type 1 Diabetes, when people continue to perpetuate the myth that consuming large amounts of sugar and/or being a lazy slob is the reason my child developed this disorder. With the amount of information available now, there is no excuse for people to be so ignorant on this subject.

Also, Diabetes isn't a joke. It isn't funny that parents have to inject their kids with needles multiple times a day forever and worry about devastating health problems as they grow up."

So while you may think you are doing some good, spreading the word about Diabetes, Jennifer doesn't think your "concern" counts as outreach.

"The problem comes from people not understanding that there are different types of diabetes. Just saying 'diabetes' normally means that you're referring to type2, which can come from poor lifestyle and health habits. But not always.

Type1 is an autoimmune disorder that has no cause or cure. Plus, it's just not nice to joke about someone's disorder. Ever."

The truth is, a Frappuccino is not the cause of anyone's Diabetes. 

And spreading that myth hurts a lot of people. 

Jen explains:

"My child ate tofu and broccoli most of the time growing up. People think they get diabetes because of cookies. But it wasn't the cookies. Diabetes doesn't happen because you're lazy. The only ones being lazy in this situation are the people who can't take the time to read one little thing before hash-tagging their junk food."

It's okay to let your kids have treats.

And yes, a unicorn milkshake is just like any other treat.

Or do you not let them have a piece of cake (55g of sugar) at a birthday party?

Donuts (30g of sugar) after the last soccer game?

How about an Odwalla Superfood green drink? That's only got 50 grams of sugar... 

A serious medical condition does not just surprise you one day after a birthday party, or during an afternoon trip to Starbucks for a unicorn Frappuccino.

So STOP harming real kids who are living every day with Diabetes by spreading your lies and misinformation.

You're certainly not going to win the "Look, I'm a better mom than you" contest if you're willing to forget the feelings of an entire group of kids battling a serious chronic medical condition.

And let's talk for a moment what all this shame around "bad" foods does to our kids.

Certainly we should teach our kids about healthy diets, exercise, and keeping our bodies strong. They need to learn why their dinner plates should be colorful and mostly plant-based, and why we should choose healthier foods over less-healthy foods most of the time.

But, in no way, do our kids need to hear that a unicorn Frappuccino shouldn't be eaten because it "makes you fat".

This is bullsh*t of the highest order.

Your child's body is good. It is pure, strong, and capable of almost anything. 

Your child looks to you to them feel good about themselves, for support and love, and to show them what truly matters in life. 

And you have no right to weasel into your child's subconscious — or mine! — with your notions of "bad" foods or how they will make you "fat".

In my family, "fat" is not even a bad word.

Fat is fat. Skinny is skinny. Muscular is muscular. Tall is tall. Curvy is curvy. Short is short. No judgment. 

Bodies are good.

The SHAME we put on bodies is bad.

As noteworthy writer (and mom!) Anne Thériault wrote:

"You know what's not real? Unicorns. 

You know what is real? The link between shaming people for what they eat and eating disorders."

And if you want to put that shame on your kids, by introducing the idea that the unicorn Frappuccino is too "fattening" for an otherwise healthy child, go right ahead.

But keep that toxic propaganda away from my family.

So listen up: It's time to STOP the shaming about unicorn Frappuccinos, or any other "junk" food. 

Don't want one? Don't order it. Think it looks gross? Fine, don't eat it.

But get off the backs of every other parent who decided to let their child have one this week. 

That milkshake isn't going to hurt their child.

But your shame and misinformation might.