Guest Blogger: Pamela Bonney, MS, RD, CDN, Nutrition and Health Consultant
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n my work as a pediatric nutritionist, I often counsel families on the importance of making healthy choices and how to encourage their children to do so. So many parents report their struggles of trying to provide healthy food and drinks for their kids and the battles that ensure because kids want sugary drinks. Most of the added sugars in our diets come from sugary drinks such as sports drinks and sodas, and the excessive consumption of these added sugars increases the risk of developing heart disease. Just one can of regular soda contains more than the recommended daily amount of added sugar.
Unfortunately, more often than not, there is not a healthy alternative. As much as I encourage parents to be role models in this aspect and make healthy choices for themselves, it remains a challenge especially in today’s environment of such busy schedules and depending on the convenience of dining outside of the home.
Restaurants have the opportunity to work with parents in support of their families. By providing healthier drinks with kids’ meals, restaurants can play a role in supporting our children’s health.
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