The number of overweight children is at an all time high and the numbers are steadily increasing. Strategies to reverse this disturbing trend must be created and put into action. One strategy would be to stop drinking calories.
What Kids Should Not Drink
Most children drink hundreds of calories a day. Most of these are non-nutritious calories. If they would simply eliminate those empty calories, they would be able to lose weight and keep it off.
What children are drinking:
Soda. Soda provides no nutritional value and is loaded with sugar. Most are made with high fructose corn syrup which has even more harmful effects than regular table sugar.
Fruit Juice. Many parents give their children juice because they think it is healthy. Juice has vitamins and is made from fruit. However, your child would be better served by eating a fruit. The fiber in the fruit would help keep them satisfied longer and they get the vitamins they need.
Fruit-flavored Juice. Fruit-flavored juices are a mixture of sugar and water made to taste like fruits. Some of these drinks com pre-made and some you have to prepare yourself. Either way, these "juices" are bad news. They are filled with sugars and calories.
Sports Drinks. Sports Drinks are for athletes. They should be consumed after long strenuous exercise or after exercising in warm environment. Your child should not be drinking them as a replacement for water. These drinks are also filled with sugars and calories.
Coffee Shop Drinks. Over the last few years I have been watching as the increasing number of children getting drinks at coffee shops. They typically are not getting caffeinated beverages. Instead they are getting some chocolate milk type concoction with caramel, fudge, whip cream, whole milk, chocolate chips, or sugar. These drinks are loaded with calories, fat, and sugar.
What Children Should Be Drinking:
Water. If there was only one drink I could suggest children drink, it would be water. Most of the human body is composed of water. An adequate amount of water is necessary for overall health and for weight loss. Children should drink enough water, so that their urine is clear or close to clear.
Green Tea. Green Tea has many health benefits including weight loss. Most children will not enjoying sipping on hot tea, so consider iced green tea. Make it with Splenda and it will be calorie free.
Lemonade. Children love lemonade. Instead of drinking the sugary version, they should drink lemonade prepared with fresh squeezed lemons and Splenda.
Artificially-sweetened Fruit-flavored Drinks. Artificially-sweetened drinks, such as Crystal Light, provide the taste of fruit juice without all of the calories.
Diet Sodas. Diet Sodas eliminate the worse ingredient in regular soda, which is the sugar. These artificially sweetened beverages will not add pounds to your child's waistline.
To lose weight, children must burn more calories than they consume. One strategy to consume fewer calories would be to stop drinking them. Encourage your children to stay away from high calories beverages and instead drink their low or no calorie counterparts.
Start losing weight today without breaking the bank using Dr. Kal's Don't Go Broke Diet.Laugh and lose weight at the Laugh Out Loud Weight Loss Blog.
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**Please consult your physician, registered dietitian, or certified fitness professional before starting or changing your diet or exercise program.**
