For decades, families have known the power of Kool-Aid powder as a drink and as a hair dye. That’s right. This sweet powder meant for quenching thirst is also a quick, cheap, and easy way for kids to get pink hair without having to consult Mom or Dad.
Some parents may like having kids with neon hair, while others won’t be as keen. This is a question kids will have to weigh out before they dunk their heads in a bowl of Tropical Punch.
But when it comes to using Kool-Aid the way it’s intended, there are more straightforward questions and answers. For example, is it safe to drink expired Kool-Aid?
Depending on how it’s stored, Kool-Aid powder can last up to a year beyond its expiration date and should be safe to drink. Beyond that, it is probably better to get a new batch.
What would cause Kool-Aid powder to go bad?
If you live in a hot or humid environment, or if your powder comes into contact with moisture, there is a good chance it will deteriorate more quickly than it should.
How should Kool-Aid be stored?
Keep Kool-Aid powder in an air-tight container in a cool, dry location, away from the sun. The pantry is a good place in most homes that remain room temperature throughout the day.
What happens to expired Kool-Aid powder?
Not a whole lot, to tell the truth. The taste and color may begin to fade over time. As long as nothing has gone wrong, like the introduction of moisture or bacteria, the powder remains pretty much the same.
It’s the taste that will suffer the most. For this reason, most people recommend replacing Kool-Aid powder around its expiration date, or no more than a year afterward.
What about Kool-Aid that’s already been mixed in water?
The answer to this depends on which kind of powder you mixed: sugar-free or regular.
For sugar-free Kool-Aid, you don’t have to store it in the fridge unless you want it to last longer. If you put it in the fridge, you can expect it to be fine for about a week.
For Kool-Aid with sugar, you’ll want to refrigerate it soon so that the watery sugar doesn’t have a chance to go bad. You can expect this concoction to be safe and tasty for three to four days.
Always check your food and drinks visually and by smelling them to make sure they have not gone bad. If you detect mold or any unusual odor, dump it out.
What happens if you drink really old Kool-Aid powder?
So, your preteen found a packet of Kool-Aid that was produced in the middle ages, and she decided to mix it and drink it before you knew what was happening. Is it time to panic?
Probably not. As long as the powder didn’t have any signs of mold or other issues, it was probably perfectly safe. It probably didn’t taste good, but otherwise, no worries.
Keep an eye on her for possible diarrhea or mild stomach upset. That is usually the worst that will happen.
What happens if you drink Kool-Aid powder that has mold on it?
This may be a bigger concern. Any food or drink that has visible problems like mold or smells “wrong” is not a safe bet. There may be bacteria growing on it from exposure to moisture or other contaminants. The result can be anything from mild stomach distress to serious food poisoning.
Always be careful with food or drinks that look or smell bad. If you suspect contamination, throw it away immediately.
Is Kool-Aid powder a healthy drink?
Not really. There are many concerns associated with Kool-Aid powder. However, as long as you don’t drink it in large amounts on a regular basis, it should be safe.
People who regularly consume a lot of Kool-Aid are at increased risk of obesity and diabetes, thanks to the high sugar content. There are also concerns about carcinogens in some of the coloring. That means there is still some debate surrounding whether Kool-Aid can contribute to cancer.
Again, drinking Kool-Aid in moderation is usually fine for healthy people. Humans eat and drink lots of junk food, and as long as we keep it to a minimum, we’re okay. It’s just when you make this diet a hard-core habit that health problems start to show up.
Kool-Aid may not be a fizzy drink, but it has a lot of sugar, so it’s not a far cry from soda.
Is sugar-free Kool-Aid powder a healthy drink?
The jury’s still out on this one. Because it contains a lot of water and has no sugar, it is a popular choice for people wanting to hydrate with a little flavor. If your only concern is added sugar content, then this is a good option.
However, there is an increasing number of studies that show artificial sweeteners may have a negative effect on people’s health. Oddly, some studies suggest these sweeteners may even contribute to weight gain.
Sugar-free Kool-Aid powders create the sweet taste in their drinks by replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners.
If you’re concerned about artificial sweeteners, there are a few things you can do:
- Educate yourself. You may want to talk to your doctor or nutritionist or read about these ingredients on your own.
- Keep a food journal. Take note of important things that change in your health when you consume artificial sweeteners in things like sugar-free Kool-Aid.
- Try a variety of options. There are different options for sweetening drinks. With some trial and error, you may be able to find what works best for you in terms of taste and health.
