DRINK WATER Our bodies need water . On a regular day , your child ’ s body will lose two-to-three liters of water . Add some physical activity and sweat , and he or she can lose even more . Your first step should be to ensure that your kids are getting their recommended amount of water every day .

Keep water handy . If a water bottle is near during playtime , study time , and family time , your kids may not wait until they are thirsty to hydrate . And remember that water is found in fruits and vegetables , so by increasing the produce your child consumes , you will be keeping them better hydrated , too .

IDENTIFY YOUR UNHEALTHY DRINKS Most people don ’ t realize that the drinks they are consuming contain “ empty calories .” Soda we all know about but other sugarsweetened beverages like flavored drinks and fruit juices can add unwanted sodium and sugar to your diet . Fruit juices are misleading because they add more sugar to the fruit juice but without the benefits of naturally occurring nutrients . Identify these unhealthy drinks in your house and replace them with 100-percent fruit juice , low-fat unflavored milk , and water .

The drinks you buy will tell you what ingredients they contain . However the ingredients your body doesn ’ t need are not always so easy to identify . Increase your healthy vocabulary and learn all the different ways that products label “ sugar ."

The

Alliance for a Healthier Generation , founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation , works to empower kids to develop lifelong healthy habits by ensuring the environments that surround them provide and promote good health ."

www . healthiergeneration . org

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