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Parents like to see their kids hale and healthy. But when they get a tad too big, their weight becomes a problem. Sadly, many children are glugging one too many sweetened drinks that put them in danger of obesity.

According to a report from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut, sweetened drinks made up a whopping 62 percent of children’s drinks sales in 2018. Healthier drinks like pure fruit juices accounted for just 38 percent.

Companies pledge to fight obesity, yet keeps marketing sweetened drinks

Getting kids to eat fruits and veggies is hard enough without strong competition from sugar-rich foods. But companies make it extra difficult for parents by using eye-catching yet confusing packaging, according to lead author Jennifer Harris, director of marketing initiatives at the Rudd Center.

“Beverage companies have said they want to be part of the solution to childhood obesity, but they continue to market sugar-sweetened children’s drinks directly to young children on TV and through packages designed to get their attention in the store,” Harris said.

Children ages two to 11 saw more than twice as many TV ads for children’s sweetened drinks than for drinks without added sweeteners. One company, Kool-Aid owner Kraft Heinz, directly advertised sweetened drinks on children’s TV. But it’s not just kids that get tricked – even parents can fall victim to these beverages.

Package claims lend the impression that sweetened drinks are healthy, which can spark confusion among adults. According to the authors, most fruit drinks contain just five percent pure juice or less. Yet 80 percent have packages that include images of fruit, while 60 percent claim to have “less” or “low” sugar or “no high-fructose corn syrup.” Children’s drinks with and without added sweeteners also share the same package sizes and types, flavor names, use of fruit imagery and front-of-package claims for products.

While there are beverages that contain low-calorie sweeteners like stevia, their front-of-package labels fail to mention these sweeteners. You’d have to find it out on the back and familiarize yourself with the ingredients, according to Maria Romo-Palafox, co-author of the report.

“You shouldn’t have to be a nutritionist to figure out whether or not a product is healthy for your child,” explained Romo-Palafox.

Obesity-fighting alternatives to sweetened drinks

Many studies have linked the regular consumption of sweetened drinks to obesity. In a study of people who are genetically predisposed to obesity, researchers found that those who consume one or more sweetened drinks every day are more than twice more likely to become obese than those who refrained from drinking these beverages.

The takeaway? Keep those sweetened drinks out of reach of your children. Besides warding off obesity, cutting back on sugar also staves off Type 2 diabetes, sugar addiction and many other related conditions. Instead of fruit juices, give the following healthy drinks to your child:

1. Water — The universal solvent is the best fluid to quench your child’s thirst. It’s important for countless vital processes, including temperature regulation and organ function. Also, it doesn’t provide liquid calories like sweetened drinks, so it doesn’t drive up obesity risk.
2. Fruit-infused water — If your child finds water too boring, try infusing water with fresh fruits and herbs. Besides perking up the drink, these fresh ingredients will also boost your child’s nutrition. Try many flavor combinations, like strawberries and lemon or pineapple and mint.
3. Coconut water — Also known as coconut juice, this unflavored drink comes straight from the core of coconuts. Though it contains calories and sugar, it’s still healthier than sweetened drinks. It’s rich in a variety of nutrients like vitamin C, magnesium and potassium, which are all important for children’s health.
4. Herbal teas — Some herbal drinks are also safe and good for children. Lemongrass, mint, rooibos and chamomile teas are fantastic alternatives to sweetened drinks. They are caffeine-free and provide a pleasing taste. Some teas also keep obesity at bay by promoting weight loss.
5. Plain milk — Plain, unsweetened milk is packed with nutrients like protein, calcium and phosphorus that are important for your child’s growth and development. Milk rich in healthy fats is especially good for your child’s brain. However, take note that some children are intolerant to lactose found in dairy milk.
6. Unsweetened plant-based milk — If your child has lactose intolerance, consider plant-based milk like hemp, almond and soy milk. Be sure to buy unsweetened plant-based milk as sweetened drinks contain loads of added sugar and artificial sweeteners that can put your child at risk of obesity.
7. Homemade smoothies — Can’t get your child to eat veggies? Make your own smoothies! It’s a wonderful trick to sneak foods like broccoli into your child’s diet. You can combine veggies with sweet-tasting fruits like pineapples and peach.

Sweetened drinks promote obesity yet continue to corner the market due to misleading advertising. Thankfully, nutritious alternatives like the ones listed here come in diverse and exciting flavors that your child can enjoy. Try some of these now to fight obesity.

Sources:

ScienceDaily.com

HSPH.Harvard.edu

Healthline.com