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Almost None Sugary Beverages
Strive to drink ALMOST NO sugary beverages.
Kids today are drinking too much soda. Soft drink consumption has more than doubled since 1971. The average teenage boy drinks two 12-ounce sodas per day, adding up to more than 700 cans per year. The average teenage girl drinks 1.4 12-ounce sodas per day—that’s more than 500 cans per year.
Sugary beverages include regular sodas, non-100% fruit juice drinks and lemonades, sweetened iced teas, sports drinks, and coffee drinks. These drinks not only contain little nutritional value but also plenty of calories.
Some better choices include water, fat-free milk, 1% milk (for children age 2 and older), or 100% fruit juice (if limited to a ½ cup per day). Water is the perfect no-calorie thirst quencher, while the other drinks are rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Tips for Success:
- Change what you drink with meals. Serve water or fat-free milk during mealtime and snacks.
- Start at home. When you go shopping, buy healthy beverages instead of sugary drinks. Your children learn by watching you, so let them see you making healthier choices.
- Limit 100% juice to a ½ cup per day. Water and fat-free or 1% milk should be the primary beverages for kids aged 2 and older.
- When thirsty…THINK WATER. If you like, add flavor with citrus slices!
More Information More ALMOST NONE information and resources can be found at our Online Resources page.
Frequently Asked Question on ALMOST NONE
Is it safe to let kids drink “diet” sodas and juices?
Most low- or no-calorie drinks contain artificial sweeteners. Although some have expressed concern over the safety of such sweeteners, the FDA has concluded they are not harmful to kids and adults. However, serving these types of beverages are still a missed opportunity to give your child what is best for his or her growing body – and that is water or fat-free or 1% milk.
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