Teens may not admit it, but they look to their parents to help guide their choices and behaviour. Help your teen replace sugary drinks with water.
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Benefits of decreasing your teen’s intake of sugary drinks
Parental influence can play a major role in decreasing teens’ intake of sugary drinks.
Reducing your teen’s intake of sugary drinks may lead to a decreased risk of:
- obesity
- tooth decay
- type 2 diabetes
Teens are some of the highest consumers of sugary drinks. Sugary drinks are a major source of sugars in the diets of pre-teens and teens. Teens consume most of their sugary drinks at home in the afternoons and evenings.
Soft drinks are the most popular drink among teens. Other sugary drinks include:
- iced tea
- fruit juice
- sports drinks
- energy drinks
- hot chocolate
- chocolate milk
- specialty coffee and teas
- flavoured waters with added sugars
- fruit-flavoured drinks like fruit punch
- sweetened plant-based beverages
How to help lower your teen’s intake of sugary drinks
Teens are still developing healthy habits. You can help your teen develop healthy habits by:
- reducing the number of sugary drinks available at home
- encouraging them to make healthy drink choices when they are away from home
Take some time to explain to your teen that some drinks have a lot of sugars and should not be consumed every day. Make it easier for them to choose healthy beverages. Try to:
- offer water or carbonated water with meals and snacks
- brainstorm as a family ways to flavour water with fruits and herbs
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