Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Think about your drink


Did you know that nearly a quarter of the total calories consumed by children and teens come from beverages? With childhood obesity at an all-time high, you may be thinking a lot about what your kids eat. but are you thinking enough about what they drink?

Every Sip Counts

In the two decades, the percentage of overweight American children and teens has tripled. What America Drinks.

According to the study:

* The largest calories contributors for children aged 8-13 are nutrient-poor sweetened beverages including soft drinks, fruit drinks and presweetened teas.

* on average, teen boys consumed 32 ounces of sweetened beverages a day contributing 13% of total daily calories. Teen girls drank 22 ounces-an average of 12% of total daily calories.

* The average teen girl consumed only 7 ounces of milk a day-while teen boys consumed 12 ounces each day.

Re-Think Your Drink

The message is clear: What’s in your glass can make a big difference.

* The unique mix of essential nutrients found in milk-including calcium and protein-play a key role in maintaining a healthy weight.

* Teen who drank higher amounts of milk and lower amounts of sweetened beverages tended to weigh less than those who consumed more sweetened beverages and less milk.

* Their diets were notably higher in essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin A, magnesium and potassium.

Encourage kids and grown-ups alike to drink 24 ounces of low fat or fat free milk every 24 hours. This simple step can get your family on track for a healthier weight.

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