Have you ever been in one of those awkward situations where you’re too shocked to speak? Where your right brain screams “don’t let them do it,” and your left-brain urges you to quickly put this in perspective and don’t make a scene? That’s the situation I found myself in when I watched my girlfriend pour diet coke into a sippy cup for her girls. DIET COKE IN A SIPPY CUP! I’ve heard horror stories for years about parents letting young children drink soda but always assumed that happened in other families. My friends would certainly know better, right?
I had 5 seconds to determine my reaction- do I make a scene in front of children or just let it go? After all, I was a guest in their house. What right did I have to control what she gives her children? So with that in mind, I let it go. I-let- it- go! That was three months ago, and I still think about that scenario every day. Did I do the right thing? Could I have made a difference if I said something? I live and breathe healthy kids. Why didn’t I say something?
Those questions constantly roll through my mind. Is my girlfriend alone?
Is she the only mother to have ever given her pre-schooler diet coke? The answer is No. In fact, I visit schools across the state talking to elementary-age children about sugary drinks and can tell you that our children are developing a very powerful connection to sugar.
Here’s why:
- Sugar is incredibly addictive (even more addictive than cocaine)
- Beverage companies spend over $1 billion annually on youth-targeted marketing—especially in school settings. According to the Guardian Express, 80% of American schools have contracts with Coke or Pepsi to stock their products in school vending machines.
It’s easy to see how this got so out of hand. But it’s not just about the Mountain Dew, Monsters, and Dr Pepper. Inevitably, kids always talk about their experience with Diet Drinks. They are told that diet drinks will help them stay thin and that they’re better for them than regular drinks.
If only that were the truth. The fact is, diet drinks are even worse and should be avoided like the plague because of the harmful effects of artificial sweeteners. Diet Soda’s do nothing to reduce weight and in fact can actually cause overeating and weight GAIN.
Margaret Wertheim, RD and author of Breaking the Sugar Habit writes
"Drinking soda is a recipe for weight gain, unstable energy levels, mood swings, and future disease. Soda is carbonated colored sugar water and nothing more. Diet soda is not a valid alternative. The artificial sweeteners in diet soda taste so much sweeter than sugar that they serve only to increase your sugar cravings."
An estimated 56 percent of 8-year-olds drink soda daily, and once the teenage years come, some kids drink at least three cans of soda each day.
Can this ship be turned around or is it too late?
While young kids may not always be able to influence their parents to make healthy eating choices (will share why on a future blog), I do believe that young kids can control what they drink. And when it comes to sugary drinks, I do believe young kids can be a role model for their parents and siblings to follow.
When I was young, I learned in school how important seat belts were and advocated that my parents follow suit (yes, that was back in the 1900’s as my kids like to say). I also advocated that we place the Tot Finder Fireman Sticker on our bedroom window in case of fire and Mr. Yuck stickers on all household cleaners. The messages learned in school were so important to me.
Today my kids advocate that I don’t text and drive. It is now against the law to text while driving, but that doesn’t seem nearly as compelling and powerful as hearing that advice from my kids. It’s because of my kids that I have changed my driving habits.
So in similar style, could kids influence their family to make healthier drink choices?
I believe so. In fact, that belief is so strong that Young Talent Groups across the State of WV will travel into classrooms this month educating young children about the harmful affects of sugary drinks.
It’s a simple, yet powerful presentation that produces an immediate shift in mindset for young kids.
At the end of the presentation, the children commit to making healthier choices. Every daily soft drink or sugar-sweetened beverage consumed increases the risk of obesity by a whopping 60 percent. SIXTY PERCENT! Look at the impact kids could have on their own health by simply making better drink choices. At the end of the day it’s about healthier kids. It’s said that this is the first generation of kids that may not outlive their parents. Our kids are 40 percent heavier today compared to just 25 years ago, and a growing number of studies have linked rising childhood obesity rates to increased consumption of sugary beverages (including those sweetened with no- or low-cal sweeteners).
My hope for this project is that, classroom by classroom, we inspire kids to re-think their drink choices. So the next time that little girl is thirsty at home, she’ll ask Mommy for water instead of pop because she knows just how much better that will be for her. It’s a small step that will go a long way in kids’ health and perhaps in the process, they’ll inspire Mom and Dad to make healthier choices too. It worked with seat belts and texting. Maybe it can work here too.
If you want to see what it’s like to deliver a sugary drink presentation in the classroom, check out this video from our recent visit to Mrs Alford’s 2nd grade class at West Teays Elementary. And if you want to host a similar presentation in your child’s classroom, let me know and I’ll help you get it off the ground.