RETHINKING HOW YOU QUENCH YOUR THIRST
by: Betty Ann Sirois MSN, CHC, CDE
According to a New York City public education campaign, “Drinking one 20-ounce soda a day translates to eating 50 pounds of sugar a year.” The purpose of the public service announcements is to raise awareness of how sugary drinks can lead to obesity, resulting in an increased risk for developing diabetes, heart attack, stroke, arthritis and some cancers. Dr. Thomas Farley, New York Commissioner of Health, states: “Sugary drinks are the largest single source of added sugar in the diet, and a child’s risk of obesity increases with every additional daily serving of a sugary drink.”
How far would you need to walk to burn off the calories from one sugary drink? To burn the calories from a 650 calorie frozen sugary drink, a 160 pound person would have to walk 8 miles at 3.5 miles per hour. This might give you a good reason to consider substituting water or other sugar-free beverages to quench your thirst.
Source: DiabetesPro SmartBrief, an on-line publication of the American Diabetes Association October 28, 2011
Posted: November 22, 2011