by Brian Lamacraft

Created on: May 06, 2010

Children as well as adults could benefit from drinking more water.  Since children tend to drink more sugary drinks such as cola or juice water should be added to their diet and be the drink of choice.

Children and Sugar

We live in a culture of sugar and has become one of the most popular beverages. It is not soda that children should be drinking but more plain water.  Soda contains sugar  which contributes to weight gain and the decay of a child’s teeth.  Soda is also dehydrating and many soda brands contain caffeine which can make child hyperactive or change their mood.  A child should be given water instead of soda  because it will help them stay hydrated and cut down on the sugar content they consume. Juice may see like a good idea to give a child but most brands are also very high and sugar so if it is served it should be 100% juice and in smaller quantities.  If you server juice or soda be sure that the child consumes additional water so they don’t become dehydrated.  In the summer make sure they also drink additional servings of plain water to avoid dehydration from the excessive heat.

Improved Digestion

Children tend to consume more junk type foods than adults and this can lead to impaired digestive function.  Additional water will help improve a child’s digestion.  Water helps  to keep the bowels functioning at optimum levels and remove harmful waste.  If a little fiber is added to their diet the consumption of additional water will improve their digestion to even greater levels.

Weight Control

Adding water to a child’s diet can cut down on the amount of calories they consume.  If water replaces sugary drinks like colas a child’s calorie consumption is already dramatically reduced.   When children drink soda they tend to consume great quantities of it at one sitting which adds many additional calories to they daily diets.  Drinking more water can also help a child feel fuller for longer periods and decrease the tendency for a child to want snacks.  A piece of fruit can be given along with a glass of water when they are in a snacking mood.

Adding more water to a child’s diet just makes good sense.  They will consume less sugar, be hydrated and they will have improved digestive function.  Water should be everyone’s drink of choice including children. Try adding more water gradually to their diet and try some flavored water at first if they don’t seem to like it.  Adding a bit of lemon is another way to flavor water naturally or squeeze bit of juice from other fruit  into the water so it has some flavor.

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