There is a lot of conversation these days about how best to improve children’s health. Nutrition is often the focus of these discussions since what kids eat and drink affects their growth, development, and risk of getting sick. While there are no quick and easy solutions, we have every reason to be optimistic. Read on to learn why.
Over the past twenty years, children’s consumption of sugary drinks has slowly yet steadily declined. Fewer kids drink them daily and those who do have smaller amounts. This is great news since sugary drinks can lead to health problems. We can’t point to any one reason for the positive shift –there are many! But we think it’s an ideal time to step back and celebrate three “big ideas” that helped make a difference.
- Improvements to the Nutrition Facts Panel
It’s now easier to find out how much sugar, if any, has been added to food or drinks. The Nutrition Facts panel on all product labels must include this information. And consumer surveys have confirmed that this change has been of benefit. Not only can you more easily identify sugary drinks, you can also compare products. The 5/20 rule may come in handy here.
- New policies lead to healthier drinks at schools
Schools that participate in the School Breakfast and/or School Lunch Programs, must adhere to new standards.
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- One of these standards limits the added sugar in flavored milk to no more than 10 grams in an 8 oz serving.
- These policies extend beyond the cafeteria. Smart Snacks in Schools standards limit the type of drinks (and food) sold at school, including vending machines.
Local School Wellness Policies have also helped to facilitate healthy drink choices, including plain water. The specifics can look very different depending on the location of the school.
- More kid-friendly healthy alternatives to sugary drinks
The beverage aisle at grocery stores include many new drinks that have little or no added sugar. This, in addition to wide selection of drink recipes created by food enthusiasts, means parents have lots more options now.
These “big ideas” and others have made a big difference. They are the result of people and organizations working together. It’s important that efforts like these continue. Most kids’ sugar intake is still too high – and about half is from sugary drinks. This pattern puts them at immediate risk for poor dental health and unhealthy weight gain. And later in life, they are more likely to develop serious health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
Download our booklet to learn more about keeping kids healthy.
