American children consume about 25 gallons of soda (or 2 cans daily) each year, and you won’t find a doctor or dentist who’s happy about that. A 12-ounce can of soda contains over 9 teaspoons of sugar, and many restaurant servings are even larger. Mix in corrosive additives and artificial flavorings, and it’s clear that soda is not the best way to keep kids hydrated.
Avoiding Soda When Dining Out
Just because soda comes with the meal doesn’t mean your kids have to drink it! Alternatives are always available. At fast food restaurants, you can opt for a bottle of water or low-fat milk. Even chocolate milk is a significantly better choice than soda because (although high in sugar) it provides valuable calcium, vitamin D and protein. In full-service restaurants, order a fruit fizzy for your kids; just ask for half orange or other juice, half seltzer.
Soda-Reducing Strategies For Your Family
- Don’t drink soda around your kids. When they see you drinking water, tea, seltzer and juices, it will have a profound (although perhaps not overnight) effect on their choices. The American Dietetic Association reported that “Youth whose parents regularly drank soft drinks were 2.88 times more likely…to consume soft drinks five or more times per week compared with those whose parents did not regularly drink soft drinks” (“Factors associated with soft drink consumption in school-aged children”, August 2004).
- If cutting out standard soda altogether isn’t appealing, make it a special treat rather than a daily drink. For example, allow soda only at the movies, or let the kids order a Shirley Temple or Roy Rogers when dining in a special restaurant.
- For older children, try an allotment of sodas (say, 2 per week) to be enjoyed whenever they choose.
- Hold a family contest to come up with the most delicious and creative soda alternatives. If you need help getting started, read “Soda Alternatives Your Kids Will Love” for delicious recipes.
Unhealthful Ingredients in Soda Can Hurt Your Kids
You and your children may love the taste and the temporary energy boost…but, here are two things you should know about soda ingredients before quenching your family’s thirst.
- High Fructose Corn Syrup. Despite a prominent ad campaign implying otherwise, several studies have pointed to specific disadvantages of HFCS, found in virtually all soda. According to “Fructose consumption as a risk factor for NAFLD” presented in the March 10, 2008 Journal of Hepatology, consuming high fructose corn syrup in excess can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, even in children.
- Phosphoric acid. This corrosive is added to nearly every soft drink on the market to sharpen flavor. It both leeches calcium from the body and prevents the body from absorbing new calcium. This is especially damaging to our children’s bones and teeth. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation website, osteoporosis affects 55% of Americans over the age of 50, so Mom and Dad should steer clear, too. Want another reason to avoid it? Phosphoric acid is the reason sodas are an effective way to clean car battery terminals and clear clogged drains.
If you child is deep into a 3-soda-a-day habit, don't expect the change to happen overnight. Implement these strategies over the course of several months, and approach it with a positive attitude. For more ideas and recipes, read “Soda Alternatives Your Kids Will Love”.
Christine E. Taylor - Christine E. Taylor is a freelance writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Christine is currently writing a series of articles ...
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