Keeping Your Kids Hydrated When They
Don’t Like Water
There are well-documented problems associated with sugary drinks. Despite this, our kids still drink lots of sugary drinks. The scale of the problem is highlighted in a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the study found that on a given day 63% of youths consumed a sugar-sweetened beverage.
This is bad news for the current and future health of our children, among the likely issues are:
- Dental problems: Sugary drinks are loaded with excessive amounts of sugar, contributing to dental problems like cavities and tooth decay.
- Obesity and weight gain: Regular consumption can lead to obesity and related health issues, as these drinks are high in calories but low in nutritional value.
- Increased risk of diabetes: Frequent intake of high-sugar beverages is linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even in children.
- Poor nutrition: Consuming sugary drinks can lead to poor nutrition, as they often replace healthier options that provide essential nutrients.
Instilling good drinking habits from an early age can help your kids stay healthy. Let’s look at some simple and effective ways to achieve this.
This is bad news for the current and future health of our children, among the likely issues are:
· Dental problems: Sugary drinks are loaded with excessive amounts of sugar, contributing to dental problems like cavities and tooth decay.
· Obesity and weight gain: Regular consumption can lead to obesity and related health issues, as these drinks are high in calories but low in nutritional value.
· Increased risk of diabetes: Frequent intake of high-sugar beverages is linked to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even in children.
· Poor nutrition: Consuming sugary drinks can lead to poor nutrition, as they often replace healthier options that provide essential nutrients.
Instilling good drinking habits from an early age can help your kids stay healthy. Let’s look at some simple and effective ways to achieve this.
Creative Hydration Tips for Children
Encouraging children to drink more water doesn’t have to be a struggle. By introducing some creative and fun methods, you can make water the more appealing choice.
Tip One: It’s all about the flavor
The sensation of cool refreshing water as it quenches your thirst is something to savor. As adults, we appreciate this universal appeal to water, but even we love to add a little flavor from time to time.
There are plenty of healthy water options that kids love, but try to stick to natural flavorings without nasty chemicals and artificial sweeteners. Better yet, fruit-infused flavors introduce a natural sweetness that appeals to all ages. Strawberries, oranges, watermelon, and kiwi fruit are all great choices, but the only limit is your imagination and – of course – the preference of your kids.
Tip Two: Ice it up a little
In the summer, the importance of hydration is more important than ever, as is staying cool. By transforming water into ice cubes you can address both these concerns by using fun-shaped and/or flavored ice cubes. Natural flavors like fruits are again the best option to make hydration that bit more exciting.
Try freezing berries or small fruit pieces in your ice trays, or use ice molds in playful shapes to make water more visually appealing to kids.
Tip Three: Lovely bubbly
Many kids love sugary drinks not just for the sugar, but for the sensation of thousands of tiny bubbles popping in their mouth. Carbonated water is a far healthier alternative to sugary soda drinks and gives them the fizz without the fuzz.
If flavors are still the order of the day, then opt for healthy and sustainable water or – again – simply add your flavorings.
Tip Four: Not the last straw
Simply giving them their water with a straw to drink from can turn a plain glass of water into a colorful sipping adventure. There are all sorts of crazy and fun straws to choose from. From bendy straws in vibrant colors to ones with twists and loops, the options are endless. You can even find straws with small figures or shapes that float or move as your child drinks.
Just remember to opt for sustainable choices that are reusable and recyclable.
Tip Five: A gradual ice-breaker
Ultimately, the flavor of sugary drinks is a major attraction for children, and regardless of your best efforts, the desire for that “flavor burst” is still there. In these cases, it can be helpful to add a splash (or more) of fruit juice to their water. The amount you add can be gradually reduced, this makes a great way to wean them off the “hard stuff.”
Opt for natural, 100% fruit juices without added sugars for this transition. Not only do they offer a better alternative to artificial flavors, but they also provide some nutritional benefits.
From Sips to Smiles: Ending the Sugary Drink Cycle
Persuading your children to opt for water might seem like a challenge. However, by following a few simple tips that add some fun, flavor, and fizz to their hydration needs, it is possible to steer them away from sugary drinks and set healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Plain old water needn’t be plain old water – with the introduction of natural flavors, a little fizz, and some playful straws it is possible to get sips and smiles at the same time.
