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New study shows parents are confused - what is a healthy drink for kids?
New study shows parents are confused - what is a healthy drink for kids?
Posted on Apr 29, 2015 by Maggie LaBarbera
A new study has been released that tell us we need more positive healthy marketing messages about healthy beverages.
Researchers at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found parents are not really sure what makes a healthy beverage. Part of the problem seems to be the labeling and marketing messages found on beverages.
Most parents know that soda is not part of a healthy diet. They get that. They also know milk and water are healthy drinks.
What is confusing is the flavored drinks, sports drinks, fruit juices. These drinks tend to be high in sugar and calories and not much else. But when you see the word "sport", parents are tricked into thinking that means "healthy" because they are equating sport performance with these drinks. Or flavored water is another term that confuses parents. Just because it has "water" in the title, does not mean it is healthy like water. Or fruit juice is another sugary beverage. Parents think this is really good for my child because it is fruit. But there can be the same amount of sugar in a fruit juice as there is in a soda! Surprised? Many parents are.
A study conducted back in 2012 from the CDC found that children were getting 41% of their calories from beverages! Yes, 41%! That's a lot of calories that are mainly coming from sugar.
Parents are looking for healthy alternatives for their child and moving away from soda but unfortunately, most of the alternatives advertised are actually another form of sugary drinks!
Solutions:
1. Parents have to stop looking at the marketing claims on the front of the bottle and start looking at the facts in the back or side of the package.
2. Look at the sugar and know that every 4 grams of sugar is one teaspoon.
3. Next look at the serving size because often the container will be 2 serving sizes. This means that the sugar amount has to be multiplied by 2 if your child (or you) drink the entire bottle as many do.
Healthy Beverage Options
Always the healthy option:
Good old fashion milk
Plain water. You can add your own slice of fruit to flavor it!
Parenting Tips on Healthy Drinks for Kids articles
Water is a beverage that all children need and unfortunatly, many do not get enough of. We have a list of tips and suggestions to help your family drink more water. Our best tips on how to get your child to drink more water.
Do your children drink a lot of beverages that have added sugar? Are you wondering just how much sugar in these popular drinks for kids. Our dietitans have put together a table of calories from the most popular beverages that children drink. Find out just how much sugar is actually in these sugary drinks.
Beverages can be a significant amount of calories. But how much drinks should your child be drinking and what drinks are best. Here are the recommended guidelines for choosing healthy beverages for your child from the American Academy Of Pediatric.
Some quick facts about how much beverages children really drink. You may be surprised just how much sugar is in common beverages and how much sugar children are actually consuming.
Are sugar-sweetened beverages causing kids and teens to become overweight? Well, one of the major contributors to childhood obesity is added sugar from sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, juice, flavored milk, sport drinks, energy drinks, vitamin-added water, and many other drinks. Therefore, it is important for parents to be aware of how much sugar is in popular beverages that children and teens are drinking every day!
Now is a good opportunity to teach your child about the importance of drinking water and staying hydrated while exercising. Did you know that our bodies are estimated to be about 60-70% water? Learn about the important benefits of water for the body and how much your active child needs to be well hydrated.
It's summertime and the children are thristy. They open the refrigerator and immediately reach for the juice or some other sugary drink. Wondering how to get them to reach for the water instead. Learn some easy to implement tips to help children make water their main drink of choice during summer with these tips.
Is your child choosing sugary drinks? Are kids drinking too many calories? This is a common concern for many parents. Not to worry. With these quick tips, you can guide your child to healthier drinking habits in no time!
There is a great deal of discussion about sports drinks and energy drinks. Some of these drinks are being advertised for children. But what is the difference between sports drinks and energy drinks? We have the answers for you and a guide to what the American Academy Of Pediatrics recommends for a healthy child.
What are the benefits and controversy surrounding flavored milk for children? If your child drinks flavored milk read this important article. Just how much sugar is your child really drinking?
Fruit is an important part of a child's balanced meal. Children love fruit juice but they can be loaded with sugar. How much juice is okay? Here are some guidelines to help your child limit their sugary juice intake.
We know children enjoy sodas, flavored carbonated and non-carbonated drinks. But these drinks can be high in fructose corn syrup. How much flavored drinks are okay in a child's diet? Learn some facts about these drinks. It is more than just sugar!
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