KFL&A Public Health Encourages parents to choose water instead of sugary drinks

Kingston, July 26, 2017 - Sugary drinks are just about everywhere, and they are being marketed more heavily now than ever before. What was once an occasional drink, is now being consumed daily by many children in our community. KFL&A Public Health has launched a Choose Water campaign, encouraging parents to skip the sugary drinks and instead, offer water to their children.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation indicates that sugary drinks are the largest source of sugar in a child’s diet and affect children’s health. Consuming too many sugary drinks can lead to cavities, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers. In Canada, about 25% of children aged 5 to 19 years consume sugary drinks every day.

Jessica Hrgetic, Public Health Dietitian, KFL&A Public Health suggests that many drinks, even those that appear to be healthy, are loaded with sugar. “For some drinks, the fact that they have a lot of sugar may be obvious, such as pop and slushies, but many people don’t realize that 100% juice, chocolate milk, and yogurt drinks contain a lot of sugar,” she said. “When children fill up on sugary drinks, they end up eating less of the foods that they need to feel good and perform their best, such as fruit and vegetables.”

KFL&A Public Health’s Choose Water campaign is aimed at parents, as they play an important role in helping children make healthier choices. “Whether you’re packing your kid’s lunch, bringing them to soccer practice, planning a family picnic or birthday party, parents can help their kids drink water by packing a refillable water bottle or choosing to serve water,” said Hrgetic. “When it comes to having sugary drinks, less is best”.

KFL&A Public Health’s Choose Water campaign supports the KFL&A Region Healthy Kids Community Challenge aim to reduce sugary drinks and promote water. This initiative from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, unites communities with a common goal: promoting children's health through physical activity and healthy eating.

Visit www.kflaph.ca/choosewater to learn more about sugary drinks, and for tips on helping children choose water.

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