When children come home from playing outside or after a long day at school, they’re looking for a refreshing drink to quench their thirst. Sodas, sports drinks and other sugary beverages are often an easy choice for children on the go, but provide too many added calories and not enough nutrition. Instead, parents can create a child-friendly drink zone in the kitchen and help children get the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong.
Here are some easy ways to “rethink your drink”:
•Stock the fridge with water, seltzer, fat-free or 1 percent milk and limited amounts of 100 percent juice (up to 6 to 8 ounces of 100 percent juice per day).
•Offer fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk with meals and snacks. Fat-free and low-fat milk have nutrients everyone needs.
•Children learn from watching their parents. Drink milk with meals and snacks and they will too.
Limiting sugary drinks helps keep the whole family healthy. Look for “Eat Smart New York’s Rethink Your Drink” campaign messages on billboards, buses and radio announcements in the Finger Lakes. Meet Eat Smart New York staff at farmers markets, food pantries, and community events.
Visit www.RethinkYourDrinkNY.org for more tips and recipes, including infused waters, smoothies and flavored milks.
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