Watch out for high sugar in these drinks
Many of us are aware that soda and caffeinated energy drinks aren't good for our children, but what other type of drinks contain too much sugar?
Gatorade is the "thirst quencher." Vitamin water wants you to "hydrate the hustle." With fall sports in full swing, now is the time that many children and teens reach for sports drinks, flavored water, and fruit flavored drinks. However, we may need to reexamine the labels of these drinks a little more carefully, according to a recent study published from the Atkins Center for Weight and Health at University of California at Berkeley.
In the study, twenty-one popular sugary drinks were examined and some surprising results were found. Many of us are aware that caffeinated energy drinks and soda can be harmful to children and teens. We must also remember that these are not the only culprits. Let's start first with sports drinks. They are often marketed and consumed by teens to rehydrate. The only problem is, these drinks can contain so much added sugar that they too can increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. Not to mention, that they often take the place of the best hydration source, water.
I also hear from my patients' parents that their children just do not like the taste of water. Therefore, flavored waters and fruit flavored drinks are often used as a substitute. Again, here we have to look a little deeper. These drinks are usually fortified with vitamins. This seems like a good thing, but these same antioxidants are best obtained through natural sources, like a healthy diet, and there could be unknown risks associated with ingesting excess supplements. Also, like sports drinks, you have to watch for the added sugar content as well.
With this in mind there are some rules to drink by:
Milk and water are the best choices. Drink away. Water is calorie free and milk is a great source of calcium.
Limit the juice. Whole fruits are the best way to get these nutrients and they have fiber. However, some juice is OK for most children as long as it is 100 percent fruit juice. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
Shy away from soda.
Avoid energy drinks containing caffeine and other chemicals, they can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep cycles. They also usually contain large amounts of sugar.
If older children are craving a sugary drink, try looking for a low-calorie beverage like Crystal Light as an occasional treat.
In the end, an occasional sampling of some of these drinks is not life threatening, but the more careful we are, the healthier our families will be. There just might be something to the phrase, "Don't drink the Kool-Aid."
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