A can of soda here, a box of juice there, amount to a lot of added sugar in your child’s diet. The average child consumes 17 teaspoons of added sugar a day, that’s 65 pounds of sugar a year! Cutting back - or cutting out - the amount of sugary beverages your child drinks can help him maintain a healthy weight.
Water Woes: Having a hard time getting your child to drink water?
Sometimes choosing water over sugar-sweetened beverages is easier said than done. It can be difficult to explain to your child why she can no longer have several servings of her favorite fruit juice or a can of soda as a treat. Here are some tips on how to make the transition from sugary beverages to water easier!
Be a role model for your family! Let your child see you drink plenty of water and they will want to do the same.
Don’t stock your refrigerator with sugar-sweetened beverages; the temptation will be too great. Instead, keep pitchers of water with fruit slices in the refrigerator.
Dilute your child’s juice with more and more water each day until he gets used to drinking plain water instead of a sugar-sweetened drink.
Have water at hand everywhere you go. Try buying a steel water bottle and refilling it at home.
Offer your child fresh fruit instead of fruit juice. Fresh fruits are a great source of fiber and are a great option for snack time! Check out the USDA’s recommendations for a healthy, balanced diet.
If your child resists drinking water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages, keep trying! It may be hard to convince your child to drink water now but, in the end, the health benefits of drinking water instead of sugary drinks will be worth the effort.
Information adapted from: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/drinks.html