Rethink Your Drink!

The DeKalb County Health Department supports the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity (IAPO) public education campaign to “Rethink Your Drink” in 2014 by making healthier beverage choices.  “Experts estimate that roughly one fifth of the additional weight gained across the population between 1977 and 2007 can be attributed to increased consumption of sugar sweetened beverages,” says Elissa Bassler, CEO of the Illinois Public Health Institute, the administrative agency for the Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity.  “We know sugary beverages increase the risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease and some cancers,” said Bassler. Are you pouring on the pounds?

The average 20 ounce soda has 17 teaspoons of sugar and upwards of 240 calories. Instead, consider choosing water or low ‐ fat milk which has 0 to 1.25 teaspoons of sugar per 12 ounces.  For every 20 ounce soda you will need to walk 3.3 miles to burn off the calories. This is equivalent to the distance from Soldier Field to Navy Pier.  Here are some helpful tips to make smart beverage choices. Choose water, diet, or low ‐ calorie beverage choices.

For a quick, easy, and inexpensive thirst ‐ quencher carry a water bottle and refill it throughout the day. Don’t “stock the fridge” with sugar ‐ sweetened beverages. Instead keep a jug or bottle of cold water in the fridge.  Serve water with meals.  Make it more appealing by adding slices of lemon, lime, cucumber, or drink sparking water. You can add a splash of 100% juice to plain sparking water for a refreshing, low ‐ calorie drink.

With sugary beverages making up 46% of added sugars in the American diet, Jane Lux, Public Health Administrator,  joins IAPO in encouraging the public to drink beverages with less than 5 grams of sugar per 12 ounces (water, seltzer water, skim milk or 1% milk), and to avoid drinks that have 12 grams or more of sugar per 12 ounces (regular sodas, energy or sports drinks and fruit drinks).