Soda's Out: What's "in" that Will Satisfy New Guidelines and Appeal to Kids?
According to Judith Hochstadt, MD, a leading pediatric endocrinologist in CT and medical consultant to Water Sensations Inc., Now that the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the nation's top beverage companies have agreed to remove sugar - and calorie-laden sodas, sports drinks and juices from public schools by 2009, school districts as well as parents across the country face the question of what to offer students that will satisfy the agreement's guidelines and the students' taste buds. Nina Riley of Water Sensations, makers of calorie-free, sugar-free, clear liquid flavor enhancements for drinking water, adds that maintaining adequate hydration helps curb your appetite because we often mistake thirst for hunger and therefore, overeat. Experts believe that schools must strive to provide students the right beverage choices that balance hydration, nutrition and taste.
SOUTHPORT, CT (PRWEB) May 16, 2006
Last week’s announcement by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation that a sweeping agreement with the nation’s top beverage companies would remove sugar - and calorie-laden sodas, sports drinks and juices from public schools by 2009 was met with a collective cheer by children’s health advocates, parents and educators alike. However, school districts as well as parents across the country now face the question of what to offer students that will satisfy the agreement’s guidelines…and the students’ taste buds.
“This pact represents a very positive step forward in the movement toward helping our youngest generation live fit and healthy lives, right from the start,” notes Nina Riley, Founder & CEO of Water Sensations, Inc. – makers of calorie-free, sugar-free, clear liquid flavor enhancements for drinking water. “When crucial institutions like schools and families model healthy habits and behaviors for kids, it helps them to make good choices in the long run,” Ms. Riley adds.
Schools’ choices are varied, yet limited
According to the agreement reached between the Alliance (a joint venture of the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation) and the country’s top beverage companies (PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Cadbury Schweppes and the American Beverage Association), elementary and middle schools will sell only water, some unsweetened juices, and lowfat plain and flavored milks. However, the juice and milk will only be available in 8 oz. containers in elementary schools or 10 oz. containers in middle schools. At the high school level, diet sodas, light sports drinks and reduced-calorie teas will be added to the list, and milk and juice servings can increase to 12 oz. A final caveat of the guidelines requires that at least half of all beverages sold in the high schools be water.
With such major, albeit positive, changes taking place, experts believe that schools must strive to provide students the right beverage choices that balance hydration, nutrition and taste. Dr. Judith Hochstadt, MD, a leading pediatric endocrinologist in CT and an expert on pediatric obesity predicts: “Because the goal is to encourage students to drink and enjoy healthy alternatives to sugary beverages, schools will need to keep the appeal of these replacement beverages in mind – along with their nutritive and hydrative value – as they implement the guidelines.”
Dr. Hochstadt adds that hydration is critical for students during the course of the school day. “Adequate fluid intake is required for proper brain functioning; improving students’ cognition and preventing dehydration during intense physical activity or sports training,” she explains. “What’s more, maintaining adequate hydration helps curb your appetite because we often mistake thirst for hunger and therefore, overeat.”
With these factors in mind, following are the pros and cons of the beverage choices for kids at school and at home:
WATER is the overall best choice for students to drink during the school day, because it is the body’s chief hydrator…and because few children drink enough of it. The body is 97% water, and it needs to be consistently replenished. The downside is, of course, that water is boring to drink – especially for kids who are accustomed to sugary flavored drinks. FLAVOR-ENHANCED WATER is the newest trend in the beverage industry. Some bottled water comes pre-enhanced with flavors, while other enhancers are added to bottled or tap water to create a flavored drink. Most enhancers come in powder form. Water Sensations, the newest entry in the calorie-free, sugar-free water enhancer category, comes in a clear liquid form, with no artificial colors or additives. These enhancers can make water much more interesting for children and adults alike, but they are inappropriate for those who cannot consume artificial sweeteners for any reason. JUICES get high marks for flavor, especially among younger children. Yet, Dr. Hochstadt maintains, “The body does not recognize any difference between the fruit sugars in apple juice and the sugar in soda. Too much sugar is a contributing factor in obesity and diabetes.” She urges children to limit the amount of fruit juice they drink, and choose whole fruits instead, which provide fiber, nutrients and better satiety. Lowfat MILK is another good choice, because children often do not consume adequate amounts of calcium to support bone growth and tooth development. Lowfat milk will appeal best to kids when chocolate or other flavorings are added. Yet, these flavorings add more sugar to the milk, which is why the portion sizes are required to be so small. In addition, milk is inappropriate for the thousands of children with milk allergies or lactose intolerance. And because milk has solids in it, it is an inferior hydrator when compared with water.
“While the next few years will hold challenges for the beverage industry and for school districts as they work together to provide students with a new generation of healthy beverage choices, I believe this will be an exciting and positive time as well,” concludes Nina Riley. “We’ve begun a fulfilling mission, to give children a clear message about the importance of establishing and maintaining their health, and to offer clear, positive alternatives to the poor choices of the past.”
About Water Sensations, Inc.
Water Sensations, Inc. markets the industry’s newest water enhancer, Water Sensations®, as the first clear liquid flavor enhancer for water. All natural and sweetened with sucralose, Water Sensations® is sugar free, calorie free and carbohydrate free. Water Sensations® is available in more than 3,500 stores in the U. S., including Target, Shop & Stop, The Food Emporium, IGA, Big Y, Krogers and more. Water Sensations, Inc. was founded in 2005 by Nina Riley, a marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience in classic marketing and brand management for high profile brands including Norelco Razors, Lipton Soups and Side Dishes, Wishbone Salad Dressings, Lawry’s Seasoning, Ragu Chicken Tonight Simmer Sauces, Post Cereal and more. www. WaterSensations. com/health/ (http://www. WaterSensations. com/health/).
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