Think About Drinks

Think about Drinks

Concerned about your overweight child?  Cutting back on sugary drinks may help.

Recent studies are showing a link between sugar-sweetened drinks and weight gain in kids and teens.  It's no wonder why: Many beverages like sodas, sports drinks and some juices have a lot of added sugar. 

Here's the good news: By helping your kids cut back on sugary drinks, you can help them cut calories.  Cutting calories--along with adding physical activity--is key in slowing down the rate of weight gain.  For overweight children, slowing the rate of weight gain gives their bodies a chance to catch up with their weight as they grow.

What to offer kids instead of sugary drinks

• Water--plain or fruit-flavored (no-calorie or low-calorie).  For young kids, use fun-shaped cups or containers.
• Seltzer--plain, pre-flavored, or mixed with unsweetened juice.
• Lemonade or fruit drinks made with no-calorie sweeteners, such as SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, instead of sugar.
• Nonfat of low-fat milk (after age 2 years), which provides calcium, protein and vitamin D.  Children 2 to 8 years old should have 2 cups of nonfat/low-fat milk or dairy products per day; children 9 years and older should have 3 cups per day.

Winning kids over to low-sugar drinks

• Have low-sugar drinks around.  Kids drink what's handy.  So don't stock the sugary stuff.
• Give them choices so they won't feel deprived: bottled water, sugar-free lemonade, nonfat/low-fat milk, iced tea flavored with no-calorie sweetener.
• Take your kids to the supermarket and let them pick their choice of no-calorie or low-calorie drinks.

 

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