In the Know for You to Know

Summer is here and we’re all looking forward to being outside playing sports, running, swimming and having fun.

With all that playing it’s only a matter of time before you hear “Mom, I’m thirsty. What do you have to drink?”

What do you reach for to satisfy your child, their thirst, and keep them hydrated?

As a parent you know that juice and soda are not good for your child’s health and their teeth. Do you know that sports drinks may be considered healthy but are actually loaded with sugar?

What’s In Sport’s Drinks?

Sports drink companies do a great job trying to convince us these drinks have magical powers.

While doing this they are leaving out that their beverage is a combination of salts and minerals (also called electrolytes) like sodium, potassium and phosphate mixed together with artificial colors, artificial flavors and a lot of sugar.

All this sugar makes the sports drinks less effective for quenching thirst. This is because children are using the water in their body to metabolize all that sugar.

Healthy Choices Matter – Who Say’s So?

It may seem like a good idea to reach for a sports drink to ward off dehydration on a hot day when your child has been playing or exercising.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and The American Heart Association do not recommend these drinks for routine or moderate play and exercise.

Your child’s healthy body already maintains a reserve of these electrolytes by eating healthy meals and drinking water. Their body can tap into this when it needs to keep their fluid and salt balance in check.

They’ll Drink It Because They Like The Taste

Sports drinks taste so good because they’re jam-packed with sugars. These sugars, flavorings and colorings are bad news for teeth.

Our recommendation to you is to please think twice before offering a sports drink to your child.

What’s The Best Drink For My Child?

Water is the best drink because it keeps children hydrated without any sugar.

What is your child’s favorite thing to drink? Are sports drinks your family’s go to drink in the hot weather? or any time of year? You’re busy but have you read the ingredient label? Tell us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us or Chat with us on Facebook

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!