What you drink is as important as what you eat!
Sugary drinks tend to give us calories without providing nutrition. Some sugary drinks include: regular pop, sports drinks, sweetened coffee beverages, sweet tea, energy drinks, V8 splash, smoothies, and even 100% fruit juice. Juice offers some nutrition, but the body “sees” calories from juice just as it would regular soda.
Eliminating sugary drinks is a great way to keep our bodies healthy and achieve a healthy weight! So what can you do to better your beverage choices?
1. Drink water
Drink water instead of sugary drinks when you’re thirsty. To maintain a healthy weight, sip water or other drinks with few or no calories.
2. How much water is enough?
Let your thirst guide you. Water is an important nutrient for the body, but everyone has different needs. Drink plenty of water if you are very active, live or work in hot conditions, or are an older adult.
3. A thrifty option
Water is easy on the wallet! Save money by drinking water from the tap at home or when eating out.
4. Manage your calories
Drink water with and between your meals. Adults and children take in around 400 calories per day from beverages!! Drinking water can help you manage your calories.
5. Kid-friendly drink zone
Make water, or low/no calories drinks an easy option at home. Have ready-to-go water bottles or containers with healthy drinks available in the refrigerator. Depending on age, children can drink 1/2 to 1 cup, and adults can drink up to 1 cup of 100% fruit or vegetable juice a day.
6. Don’t forget your dairy
Select low-fat or fat-free milk or fortified soymilk.
7. Enjoy your beverage
When water just won’t do enjoy the beverage of your choice, just cut back. Check the serving size and the number of servings in the container to stay within calorie needs.
8. Water on the go
Fill a reusable water bottle and keep it with you to quench your thirst throughout the day. Reusable bottles are also easy on the environment!
9. Check the facts
Use the Nutrition Facts label to choose low-calorie or calorie-free beverages at the grocery store. The label contains information about total sugars, fats, and calories.
10. Compare what you drink
Use an online database such as MyFitnessPal or Food-A-Pedia to help you compare calories, added sugars, and fats in your favorite beverages.
Go to www.ChooseMyPlate.gov for more information.
POW IU 