Just Say NO to Sugary Drinks
Photo by Omid Armin on Unsplash
When I’m counseling a patient or coaching a client on nutrition habits, one of the first areas we dive into is the consumption of calorie-containing drinks. For us adults 21 and over, this discussion has to include alcohol, too. But for the younger ones, especially our toddlers and school-aged kids, I am mainly targeting soda, juice, Kool-Aid, Gatorade, and even large quantities of milk. Sugary drinks are one of the main sources of added sugar in our diets.
Did you know that a study in 2009 (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009) showed that consuming the amount of sugar contained in 1 can of soda (10 teaspoons) daily increases a child’s risk for obesity by 60%?!?! To a clinician in pediatrics who sees kids that are overweight or obese on a daily basis, this is not a complete shock. However, what is shocking is that as a culture we haven’t insisted on educating ourselves or our kids about the fact that their bodies do not need this form of calories. It’s sugar, plain and simple: mostly high-fructose corn syrup, one of the worst forms of sugar!
I’m about tiny changes, and this is a tiny change most of us can start to embrace. Ideally, we go the cold turkey route when it comes to these kinds of drinks. We really never need them! Hard truth, but there it is. But a lot of us are not of the “abstainer” mindset and may be better at “moderation”. (That’s me!)
You have to know what works for you and your family. For us, I don’t buy it - if it’s not in the house, we can’t drink it. If we go out for dinner, maybe the kids get a soda or juice. Maybe every now and then I buy those little mini-cans or a juice box. But it’s a one time consumption, a treat, and not around every day to drink.
Water, naturally-flavored water, and non-caffeinated herbal teas should be our go-to beverages.
Overconsumption of calorie-loaded drinks is often the root cause behind constipation, lack of appetite for healthy foods, hyperactivity, and, of course, abnormal weight gain (both kids and adults).
This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to supplement, nor replace, the professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of conditions from a trained healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare provider before beginning or changing any health or fitness programs or stopping medication to make sure it appropriately meets your needs. If you have concerns or questions, you should always consult with your physician or other healthcare professional.