They are high in carbohydrates*which is why they taste so good*, 60 calories per cup, with little sodium or potassium. Unless your kids are running a marathon they don't have much practical or nutritional value. I think of them as expensive diluted soft drinks. Water is a better fluid replacement at home, but for most it doesn't taste as good as gatorade or soda pop. Kids are all about taste, so if it tastes good they want it all the time which is only natural. I would use it as you do their soda pop ration as a treat and not a staple. Treats for physically active kids aren't a problem. Heck I drank kool aid and soda pop *the real stuff like today's Jolt* by the gallon every week as a kid, but I was an active outdoors kid and burned those calories off.

As usual, everything in moderation is the best course.