Getting your child to drink healthy
We hear a lot about getting your child to eat healthy, but what about getting them to drink healthy, too? A recent study conducted by Dr. Laura Fiorito at the Pennsylvania State University in University Park found that parents that let their kids drink two or more sweet drinks a day at a young age can cause problems for that child years down the road. Fruit and sport drinks, as well as sodas are the main culprit. The study looked chiefly at girls, ages five to 15. Researchers discovered that those girls who had two ore more sweetened drinks a day had higher percentages of body fat, weighed more, and were more likely to be overweight than girls who drank lesser amounts of similar beverages [1].
Of course, the key here is moderation. More than two sweetened drinks for any person is bound to be a little much. So we’re not saying you should never let your kids have fruit juice. Just keep portions modest and don’t overdo it. Besides fruit juices, what are some other healthy drinks to serve your kids? Check out some of these yummy ideas!
* Water: This might be a no-brainer, but lots of kids are dehydrated and need to drink more water. Water helps replenish the fluids in your children’s bodies that they lose during their various rigorous daily activities.
* Milk: A nice cold glass of milk is not only refreshing, but is loaded with essential vitamins that your kids need to help keep their bones healthy and growing strong. Kids usually need two to four servings of dairy each day, so this is important to keep in mind.
* Yogurt drinks: These are a somewhat new addition on the beverage market today. Some of these drinks contain the nutritional benefits of yogurt that is much more tasty than the carton of yogurt you might be trying to get your child to eat for breakfast. These drinks are packed with protein, calcium, and active live cultures, which are good for your child’s complete health. These drinks also count for one of your child’s daily dairy servings!
* Smoothies: If you make a smoothie with a juicer that uses the fresh squeezed juices of raw fruits and vegetables, you’re sure to boost your kids’ immune system and energy levels. These are not only a tasty treat, but are a quick and simple way to help your kids get their recommended dosage of fruits and vegetables in for the day.
Sugary drinks are loaded with artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and other energy zapping ingredients. So when you are tempted to let your kids have a box of juice, consider letting them drink up one of these tasty alternatives!
References
[1] What kids drink at 5 could affect weight at 15. Reuters.com. Accessed on the Web November 6, 2009. http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE5A55C720091106
[2] The best kids’ drinks to pack for back-to-school lunches. HealthCastle.com. Accessed on the Web November 6, 2009. http://www.healthcastle.com/drinks_lunch_children.shtml
Of course, the key here is moderation. More than two sweetened drinks for any person is bound to be a little much. So we’re not saying you should never let your kids have fruit juice. Just keep portions modest and don’t overdo it. Besides fruit juices, what are some other healthy drinks to serve your kids? Check out some of these yummy ideas!
* Water: This might be a no-brainer, but lots of kids are dehydrated and need to drink more water. Water helps replenish the fluids in your children’s bodies that they lose during their various rigorous daily activities.
* Milk: A nice cold glass of milk is not only refreshing, but is loaded with essential vitamins that your kids need to help keep their bones healthy and growing strong. Kids usually need two to four servings of dairy each day, so this is important to keep in mind.
* Yogurt drinks: These are a somewhat new addition on the beverage market today. Some of these drinks contain the nutritional benefits of yogurt that is much more tasty than the carton of yogurt you might be trying to get your child to eat for breakfast. These drinks are packed with protein, calcium, and active live cultures, which are good for your child’s complete health. These drinks also count for one of your child’s daily dairy servings!
* Smoothies: If you make a smoothie with a juicer that uses the fresh squeezed juices of raw fruits and vegetables, you’re sure to boost your kids’ immune system and energy levels. These are not only a tasty treat, but are a quick and simple way to help your kids get their recommended dosage of fruits and vegetables in for the day.
Sugary drinks are loaded with artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and other energy zapping ingredients. So when you are tempted to let your kids have a box of juice, consider letting them drink up one of these tasty alternatives!
References
[1] What kids drink at 5 could affect weight at 15. Reuters.com. Accessed on the Web November 6, 2009. http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE5A55C720091106
[2] The best kids’ drinks to pack for back-to-school lunches. HealthCastle.com. Accessed on the Web November 6, 2009. http://www.healthcastle.com/drinks_lunch_children.shtml
posted by MedRounds Publications at 2:30 PM
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