High Calorie Beverages

With childhood obesity reaching epidemic levels, learning how to make better food choices is essential. One way to help children avoid empty, extra calories in the home is to stop buying high calorie drinks. We all know to be wary of soda, but did you know that even beverages advertised as “healthy alternatives” to soda often have just as much sugar? Dr. Joseph Mercola recently published some information on his website (www.mercola.com) about sugary beverages. The entire article can be found on his website:

One 16-ounce can of Rockstar Energy Drink contains the same amount of sugar as half a dozen Krispy Kreme Original Glazed donuts.

Energy drinks aren’t the only culprits. The calorie and sugar content of flavored water and even juice often surprises people. Snapple Agave Melon Antioxidant Water, for example, has the equivalent sugar of two Good Humor Chocolate Eclair Bars.

ABC News reports:

“While experts say sugary beverages have a large impact on unhealthy diets that put people at risk for diabetes, it also may be the easiest change to make. ‘I would say 80 percent of the success we have in changing diets is taking away these sugar drinks,’ said Dr. Joel Zonszein, professor of Clinical Medicine”.

Staying away from sugary beverages is an excellent step towards raising healthier children.