Just How Bad Are Sugary Drinks For Children?

With back to school season, we've been thinking about what food our kids are eating. But what is in the beverages they are drinking at school? Just how bad are sugary drinks for children? And are diet sodas okay? According to the Harvard Public Health Review, "in children, one sweetened beverage a day fuels a 60 percent increase in the risk of obesity." Sweetened drinks have also been associated with increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation, heart disease, and some cancers, according to the CDC. And it isn't just soda. Sports drinks that come in 32 oz sizes have about 200 calories, all from sugar. Are diet sodas a good alternative? Diet sodas and other diet beverages are loaded with chemicals like caffeine, artificial sweeteners, sodium, and phosphoric acid. Children's growing bodies are chemically vulnerable, making diet drinks a big concern.

So what's the alternative? WATER! WATER! WATER! 💦 Unfortunately, kids often turn their noses up at water. To give kid's water some added flavor, we love mixing in a scoop of Ultima Replenisher 🍋🍇🍊. It's sugar-free, artificial-free, gluten-free, vegan, and is 0 calories. Not only does it taste good, but it is filled with important vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Have you tried to cut down the sugar in your kids' diets? Let us know in the comments. Image courtesy of Choose Health LA.