Drinks
o The Problem
Perhaps the greatest challenge to a healthy lifestyle in the United States today is the inclusion of carbonated soft drinks in the individual diet. This is particularly true in the diets of teenagers and younger children. Sales of carbonated soft drinks in elementary, middle and high schools are of particular concern to parents and consumer action groups.
Fueled by aggressive and effective marketing in schools and the population in general, carbonated soft drinks became a multi billion dollar business. In supermarkets, newspapers, television and radio and in printed media, soft drink companies spend aggressively to promote their message of supposed good health and refreshment.
Evidence is starting to emerge however that soft drinks are not good for the health of the individual and changes are required to ensure and establish a healthy life style for the soft drink consumer.
o Characteristics of Carbonated Soft Drinks
Carbonated soft drinks are widely consumed and present a unique problem, Although they are water based, much of their taste and appeal comes from the addition of significant amounts of sugar, sugar substitutes and other chemicals that are harmful to health. A good portion of their appeal however, comes from the promotion of the products in a way that appeals to younger customers.
Beverages containing significant of sugars stimulate the pancreas, boosting insulin levels and taking the body out of its natural fat burning state. Colas, in particular, contain caffeine, sugar, sodium and acid that are extremely destructive to human tissue…
o Effect on Youth
High levels of carbonated soft drinks have been traced to the increase in Childhood Obesity. Obesity is a major health problem for both adults and children. A surge of obesity among children is resulting in an increase in the rate of diabetes and other types of systemic health problems.
In the last two decades, the incidence of obesity among adults and children has risen nearly 50 percent. As defined by federal standards, approximately 30 percent of adults and 25 percent of children are considered obese today.
The sale of carbonated soft drink products is a major business by large corporations and advertising is a major component in the marketing mix. The messages communicated in an effective marketing campaign are powerful and subtle for all listeners particularly children and teenager who have not yet developed a frame of reference that allows understanding.
In a recent article by Susan Linn and Diane E. Levin that studied the impact of advertising on children, the authors concluded
“Children are especially vulnerable to the impact of advertising. A recent study out of Stanford University found that one 30-second commercial can influence the brand choices of children as young as 2. Repeated exposures to ads are even more effective. Very young children don’t distinguish between a commercial and television programming. And children under 8 aren’t able to understand that ads are created to convince people to buy products”. (Stop Marketing ‘Yummy Food’ to Children http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0620/p09s01-coop.html)
In the past decade, techniques for marketing unhealthy food to children have become increasingly sophisticated, subtle and effective. Marketing junk food in schools is a growth industry that includes direct advertising, sponsorship of sports teams and involvement with fundraisers that add revenue to schools for activities. The media is increasing dominated by advertising dollars from the food industry. Some estimates of total food promotional budgets exceed $30 Billion and growing.
Childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year and the annual cost to society for obesity of all forms is exceeds $90 Billion.
There are indirect effects of obesity as well. In a recent study, Dr. Ramin Alemzadeh, MD, explains that
“diabetes is not the only issue related to childhood obesity. Obese children may have greater difficulty with high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, orthopedic problems, sleeping habits, as well as self-esteem and peer relationships.”
Dr. Alemzadeh cites studies indicating that adults who were obese children also face significant health and social difficulties in later life.
o Soft Drinks in the School
Parents are often told that it is their job to promote healthy nutrition, even as corporations undermine their efforts by spending billions of dollars marketing junk food to children. This results in a barrage of food industry ads that promote unhealthy fares, from the cereal boxes and TV ads at home to the soda and snack vending machines at school. Some 10,000 food industry ads a year for unhealthy foods are aimed to children, from 3 year-old to teenage years. Ninety-five percent of these ads promote fast food, candy, sugared cereals and soft drinks.
From the school board to the statehouse, efforts to ban sugary foods and combat childhood obesity are being debated around the nation however. This increased level of awareness is beginning to take effect but continued effort is required.
Solving the problem requires efforts at all levels. Consumer protection groups are pressuring the U.S. Congress and Administration and efforts are well underway at the state level to curb aggressive advertising. In response, suppliers have increased their promotion efforts and many schools, under continued budget pressure, often supplement their incomes with proceeds from soda and candy fund raising and booster club sales. In spite of the massive promotion budgets of food manufacturers however, a focused effort by consumer groups and parents is well underway.
o What Can Parents Do?
It is easy to blame large corporations who manufacture soft drinks and other fast food products but the solution to the problem ultimately rests with parents and the family. School programs are subject to public scrutiny and input from concerned parents can be particularly effective.
The American Dietetic Association and the Center for Health and Health Care in Schools, offers suggestions on how you can improve your child’s nutrition at school and at home:
o Get familiar with the menu. Keep a current school lunch menu and discuss it with your child. Talk about making healthy choices. Many schools offer choices that meet guidelines for good nutrition if students make the right choices.
o Ask questions. Find out who decides what is for lunch. Who determines school policies on vending machines and snacks in the cafeteria and student store.
o Get involved. Join or start a parent advisory council for the school food service program. Learn how parents and students can participate in the decision making process.
o Support the nutrition education efforts at school. If your school has an edible garden, volunteer to help. If none exists, create one. Sustainable Table has information about how to start one.
o Encourage your child to pack his own lunch. Help him pick healthy choices that are fun to eat, such as string cheese, fruit, carrot sticks and pudding cups. If he packs it, he will be more likely to eat it.
o Make your child a savvy media consumer. Kids are bombarded with TV advertisements for sugary cereal and treats. Point out the techniques advertisers use to make their products attractive.
o Teach your child about nutritional labels. It will help her reading skills and make her a smart consumer if you make a game out of finding out how many names there are for “sugar” in a label.
o Advocate for the laws you want. Write to your representatives at the state and federal level. Express your concerns about school lunches, the placement of vending machines at your child’s school or requirements for physical education programs.
Source: (It Takes More Than An Apple a Day to Keep Your Child Healthy http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/az/253)
There is progress. In a recent report commissioned by the American Beverage Association, consumption of Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD) decreased in High Schools from 57.2% of the product mix in 2002 to 44.9% in 2005. Similarly, the consumption of water as a percentage of the product mix increased from 9.1% to 12.7% in the same period. Similar results were reported for Middle and Elementary Schools.
Continued effort and vigilance is required.
o School Budgets and Fund Raising
An important element to consider in the fight against junk food obesity is the role of junk food products in fundraising for schools. As a result of across the board budget pressure at all government levels, school boards have reduced many activities or look toward other non tax sources of funding., Fund raising events for direct activities or through booster clubs became an important source of funding for sporting and other activities.
An important source of revenue at fund raising events was the resale of soft drinks to spectators and the profit was considerable. A program that replaces carbonated soft drinks in the schools for health reasons also requires products that generate an equivalent source of revenue.
o The Pure Water Element
Bottled drinking water is an ideal substitute for carbonated soft drinks if the quality is high and the taste is appealing. Our bodies are estimated to be about 60 to 70% water. Blood is mostly water, and our muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water. We need to drink water because water is needed to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all our organs. Water also transports oxygen to our cells, removes waste, and protects our joints and organs.
Water that is pure and free of minerals and bacteria is the ideal source for the hydration of our bodies and a significant contributor to a healthy lifestyle. If you consume coffee or alcohol, you should drink at least an equal amount of water. When you are traveling on an airplane, it is good to drink 8 ounces of water for every hour you are on board the plane. If you live in an arid climate, you should add another 2 servings per day. As you can see, your daily need for water can be significant.
The best source of water is plain, pure drinking water. Purified drinking water based upon filtration, distillation and ozonation techniques is readily available in the market today. This process guarantees a high quality product combined with a light refreshing taste.
o Water and Fundraising – The Private Label Program
Bottled drinking water is an ideal replacement for Soda in the fundraising process. Because of the increased demand for pure drinking water, bottled water is as saleable as soft drink sodas and many times more profitable for the fundraisers. This is because many bottled water suppliers can easily supply water that has a private label for the school and the occasion. The private label advertising feature allows the fundraiser the ability to charge a premium for the product and increase the profit on the transaction.
Soft drink or soda suppliers do not offer private labeling for their products because the strategy of these suppliers is to increase the recognition of their own brand.
By: Jon M. Stout
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healthy Drinks
The energy drinks of today rely on extreme amounts of caffeine and sugar to shock our central nervous system into giving us a boost. This is very unhealthy. If you are a person who needs to reduce stress or often relies on the typical energy drinks to get you through, you need to know there are other choices that are natural, that can greatly improve your wellbeing.
There are a few new energy drinks on the market that are gaining national attention, and they are all natural. These healthy drinks could be your newest solution for handling the excess pressures and problems of modern life. Most of the products available to us today, use less than desirable ingredients, that are actually deleterious to our bodies and health. It’s about time we had a truly natural health and energy drink alternative that we could look forward to using daily.
One of the natural energy drinks, utilizes specialized herbs classified as adaptogens. Like most herbs they have healing properties, but are unique in the respect that they specifically give your body what is needs. They help to balance and relieve stress. They also naturally stimulate your body to produce more ATP or cellular energy and keep cortisol levels in balance. Keep reading for more on these fantastic herbals that might be in some of the healthy beverages out there.
An adaptogen, known in China as Wu wei zi, or the Schizandra herb, is a climbing vine which produces unique looking red berries. Schizandra is used in many high quality supplements to promote balance. Studies on the schizandra berries suggest that they have antibacterial properties. These berries are used in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as an herbal treatment for a wide range of conditions. They may also be effective for certain heart conditions. The plant also appears to give antioxidant protection when taken, it is a youth preserving herb, historically consumed by Chinese royalty. Schizandra can sooth irritation, including irritating skin conditions. The herb is also prescribed for insomnia, night terrors, coughs, lung problems, depression, and liver disorders.
Another not so widely know herb, Rhodiola Rosea, is added to many of the brain support and adrenal formulas of today. This herb is considered a powerful adaptogenic which means it helps your body adjust to what it needs at the time. It can be used as a brain health supplement to promote healthy cognitive functions such as focus, attention, concentration, memory and mental focus. So if your life is such that you need to fight fatigue, combat stress, ease depression and improve poor memory, you might want to look for a health and energy drink product that contains both of these incredible herbs.
By: Charise Princeton
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healthy Drinks
Most of us at some time or another are trying to lose weight. Even those who aren’t try and stay as healthy as we can.
The majority of health conscious shoppers have always checked the fat content on labels, and are finally starting to check the sugar content as well. It is gradually becoming known that the amount of sugar and other sweeteners in food is as important as the fat it contains. These hidden calories add to our weight problems.
The first thing we do when trying to lose weight is change our eating habits, nutritionists think that changing what we drink is of equal importance.
The news coming from the health experts is far from good. Our bodies are being overloaded with the unnecessary sugars hidden in these drinks and our health service is having to deal with a huge rise in sugar related health issues. The drinks market is incredibly misleading, that healthy looking carton of juice could be anything but. Don’t be fooled by the various ingredients such as sucralose, corn syrup and sucrose, these are all sweeteners and sugars that make this drink one to avoid.
So nothing with these misleading ingredients ever finds its way into my shopping cart. If I want juice I am happy to pay a bit extra to get 100% pure fruit juice. I do also enjoy carbonated drinks too.
Sparkling fruit drinks can also be misleading so always check the ingredients. Three of the best that I’ve found are made by Fizzy Lizzy, Izze and R.W. Knudsen.The latter also make delicious fruity spritzers.
The mixture of pure fruit juice and water that has been carbonated is all that’s in these drinks, none of that stuff that we now know to avoid. The natural juice is also giving your body an extra boost of fruit.
By: Patricia Fields
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What is quercetin? To put it simply, quercetin is a powerful antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables like red apples, grapes, and blueberries. It has been found to sustain energy levels, support improved fitness levels, and help alleviate a host of ailments.
Quercetin has already been tested and proven to help, and even correct, a variety of ailments. It decreases inflammation associated with various allergies, while also alleviating asthma, hay fever and hives. Arthritis and fibromyalgia have been alleviated with quercetin, as have canker sores and prostrate ailments such as swelling and pain. Quercetin has also been used to help prevent heart disease, lower cholesterol levels and help prevent and treat cataracts and macular degeneration.
The newest and most impressive research however, is proof that quercetin is an effective preventative against cancer and has been featured in some of the most cutting edge energy supplements – like the FRS energy drink endorsed by a well know champion cyclist and cancer survivor.
Quercetin has also been clinically shown in multiple scientific studies to boost energy, increase endurance, improve focus, and increase power output in cyclists. Its incredible ability to enhance your body’s energy system is what keeps you feeling energized longer.
Scientists believe that Quercetin works by mimicking the effects of exercise on the body’s mitochondria (according to recent preliminary animal studies which are currently being duplicated in humans). Add a host of essential vitamins and you’re ready to tackle anything from minor workouts to major competitions.
Quercetin seems to be the next rising star in the field of cutting edge supplements.
In fact, quercetin energy drinks have become very popular among the general public as an antioxidant energy booster. And even more popular among the athletic community because of all of its health benefits and alternative energy enhancing capabilities.
By: J. Petersen
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Visit now and get 14 DAYS OF FRS Energy Drinks with Quercetin for FREE!
A “green drink” is one that is derived from green vegetables. Grains are very nutritious while they’re growing and young. They are tender, grassy and their nutrients are very dense. This is long before they are harvested and turned into cereals and breads and even before they begin the life cycle of being a crop. These grasses are often fed to animals, which is where several everyday sayings have come from. Ever heard “as strong as a horse”? This phrase was developed from the fact that horses eat these powerful green grasses that result in strong and healthy animals. Although many do not consider this, the same is true for people as well.
Green and young plants such as these provide the body with extra oxygen that is used to fuel the body’s cellular functions. Green drinks are made from these young and green grasses and the result is that not only do they clean your system out, but they also provide you with more energy. Once you begin consuming green drinks, you will notice a change in your skin and hair almost instantly. Because the grasses are in a liquid form, the body does not fight to digest them, which means they are quickly absorbed, resulting in a sort of “energy high.”
One type of grass in particular that has many benefits, especially in terms of energy, is wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is frequently served in juice bars and provides your body with such an instant dose of energy that many people cannot drink it in the afternoons without being awake all night. If your body is particularly full of toxins, you may experience a quite violent cleansing reaction to the grass. Some people have been known to experience projectile vomiting because of it. Talk about quick cleansing!
The science behind the green drinks lies in the fact that they contain a lot of chlorophyll. In a plant, chlorophyll is transformed into Adenosine Triphosphate or ATP. If you have had cellular biology, then you know that this is the molecule in the body that is responsible for storing your energy. Chlorophyll is also what gives plants their green color. So, when you drink the greens in liquid form, you’re actually eating the energy that has been produced by the sunlight – it’s all natural!
Many green drinks come in the form of a powder that includes a variety of green veggies such as broccoli, kale, spirulina, blue-green algae and other greens. These are harvested when they are young and at their nutritional peak. The process of turning them into a powder preserves all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that they contain. You then mix a scoop with a glass of water or juice and enjoy. Many of these drinks provide as much nutrition as eight to ten servings of fresh, raw veggies.
By: Dr. Roni Deluz, Nd
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If your health drinks of choice are those colorful vitamin waters and sport drinks, you will want to read this and pass it on, especially to anyone concerned about consuming more alkaline foods. Look at the ingredients in most commercially advertised sport drinks and vitamin waters, and you will quickly see they are far from being healthy drinks.
Next time you are shopping for health drinks or alkaline foods, here are a few things to avoid:
Phosphoric Acid is just what it says it is – acid. This is a definition of phosphoric acid: “A clear colorless liquid used in fertilizers, detergents, pharmaceuticals and food flavoring, irritating to the skin and eyes and moderately toxic if ingested.” When your diet is supposed to be 80% alkaline foods and only 20% acid forming foods for proper pH balance, this really puts you upside down quickly. High Fructose Corn Syrup – This is concentrated sugar that contributes to weight gain and abnormal blood sugar levels, which can also lead to diabetes. Excess sugars have no place in health drinks, and you certainly won’t find processed sugar in any alkaline foods. Artificial Flavors – We call them Excito-toxins! When artificial flavorings are in health drinks, they begin to resemble sugary juices, soft drinks and candy. These artificial substances will interfere with your pH balance and force you to consume more alkaline foods to neutralize the acid from the toxins in your blood. Artificial Sweeteners – These are so unnecessary in health drinks today. In addition to the acid forming properties of artificial sweeteners, nutritionists express concerns about their effects on the human body. Many consumers now believe that artificial sweeteners may play a factor in diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s. That is one reason why corporations such as Pepsico and Coca Cola are beginning to market health drinks and other products containing Stevia, an all natural sweetener that is actually beneficial. You can learn more about Stevia Sweetener and discover alkaline foods for pH balance by taking the Alkaline Food Test at BestHealthFoodStore.net. Isolated Vitamins – When isolated, processed, heated, liquefied and bottled, vitamins and minerals break down before your body can use them. You need vitamins and minerals from whole foods, not from so called health drinks that are really bottled, heated, highly processed waters with colorful dyes and artifical ingredients.
Someone showed me a well-known sport drink the other day and I couldn’t believe the ingredients! This tropical mango flavored health drink didn’t mention mango anywhere in the ingredients, but let’s take a look at what it did list, along with some things to think about when choosing health drinks:
Sucrose Syrup (this is sugar) High Fructose Corn Syrup (more sugar) – A total of 56 gms of sugar Phosphoric Acid (the opposite of alkaline foods) Glycerol ester of wood rosin (acid forming) Modified Food Starch (how was it modified?) Natural and Artificial Flavors (your guess is as good as mine) Yellow 6, Yellow 5 and Red 40 (artificial dyes)
Another bottle of this not so healthy drink says “Specially Formulated for Tiger Woods” with the same ingredients, but blue dye instead of yellow. I guess that secret blue stuff is what makes Tiger play so well. In fact, experts could argue that Tiger’s recent knee problems are because of too many acid forming foods and not enough alkaline foods in his diet. Many medical and health specialists now believe that an acid/alkaline imbalance can contribute to weak bones and damaged joints.
When shopping for a good health drink, here are some important considerations to keep in mind.
Is it liquefied, pasteurized or otherwise heated in the bottling process? If so then the enzymes have been destroyed and the nutrients will not easily be absorbed by the body. Does it give you chlorophyll from plants to help your cells absorb more oxygen? Does it provide natural antioxidants to destroy free radicals? Natural antioxidants are essential for anti-aging. Is it made with whole food ingredients like real fruit or other alkaline foods?
Now, let’s take a different look at health drinks on the market today that are not advertised with flashy TV ads or filled with colorful dyes: Here are some of the characteristics of these truly healthy drinks:
Not liquefied or bottled, but in powder form Processed at low temperatures Contain live enzymes from whole alkaline foods and chlorophyll from plants Complex structures of the whole food ingredients are fully intact Loaded with natural antioxidants to combat free radicals
Does your health drink do that? Not if you bought it in a convenience store or the health food store at the mall.
By: Cliff Smith
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Meal replacement drinks do not have to be unappealing in terms of taste. It helps to find a quality meal replacement drink that is not only healthy but also tastes great. Theragran-M drinks are among the best drinks to use. These are not only delicious and easy to drink but they also include various important vitamins and minerals for the body to use.
Theragran-M drinks are meal replacement drinks that feature all sorts of important nutrients. There are twenty-four different nutrients found in each eight ounce serving of Theragran-M drinks. Each serving contains twenty-five percent of one’s daily recommended value of Vitamins A, B6, D, E and K. It also featured fifty percent of one’s daily need for Vitamin C. All sorts of other minerals are included, including riboflavin, iron, zinc and calcium among others.
Each serving contains only 250 calories and has no trans fats. It is also lactose and gluten free, meaning that it can be used by anyone with allergies to these two common ingredients. It does have some ingredients based on milk and soy though and is not going to be for people with allergies to these ingredients.
What makes this great is that Theragran-M drinks are very easy to drink and are delicious. Each serving is chilled well and is shaken before opening. This is so that everything will be properly mixed for these shakes. After this it is easy to enjoy this quality drink.
It also comes in delicious flavors. Each serving is naturally and artificially flavored with vanilla or chocolate flavors. These are rich and delicious flavors that will make these meal replacement drinks not only easier to drink but also more enjoyable to drink. It also goes down easily so that it is easier for the body to be able to absorb the vital vitamins and minerals that are included in each serving.
For those who have a hard time with sugars it should be noted that there are sugars but the levels are very minimal. Each serving includes only eighteen grams of sugar. This is less than half of what would be found in a typical can of a soft drink. It also contains less than ten percent of one’s daily recommended limit of sodium. Carbohydrate levels are also low in that each serving contains only forty grams of carbs.
By: Adam M Rise
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Do you ever find yourself wishing for that extra burst of energy in the midst of a busy day? If you lead a hectic life like millions of other Americans, then chances are you have thought about picking up an energy drink to help you get through the day. However, with so many energy drinks being marketed daily, it is important to know about the ingredients in these drinks and the possible effects that these drinks may have on your body.
Most energy drink companies today market such an attractive commercial for their energy boosting product that they refrain from mentioning the often unhealthy amount of caffeine, the extremely high levels of sugar, and the often high number of calories. When we pick up an energy drink, we often don’t realize that each can or bottle usually contains several energy boosting stimulants, not just caffeine. Consuming too many of these stimulants at once can leave a person with an upset stomach, difficulty sleeping, raised blood pressure and nervousness. These side effects can often lead to an uncomfortable and an unhealthy lifestyle. So are there any other alternatives to a more healthy energy drink?
When searching for the right energy drink, be sure to look at the list of ingredients. A few energy products out there today contain zero sugars, very low amount of calories and the ideal amount of caffeine to give you that precise amount of energy for the day. While most energy drinks out there today contain an unhealthy amount of caffeine (approximately 280 milligrams per 8.3 ounces) on top of the high levels of sugar, there are also several energy boosting products which contain caffeine amounts equivalent to a cup of coffee (125-150 milligrams per 8 ounces) and zero amount of sugar. It is always wiser to go with a brand which does not combine sugar and caffeine. It might also be beneficial to drink only one serving at a time. Most energy drinks contain several servings, when you consume the entire product, you might be getting double the caffeine and double the sugars.
Some energy drinks out there also contain several beneficial ingredients, such as: B-vitamins, amino acids, and anti-oxidants. Often times, these types of energy drinks are also marketed as health drinks. These health drinks often contain beneficial nutrients, zero sugars, and the right amount of caffeine for a daily boost of energy. All in all, prior to grabbing an energy drink, be sure that you are aware of what you are drinking. If you are an experienced energy drink consumer and you feel that your body is accustomed to high levels of caffeine and sugars then you should be able to judge for yourself which energy drink you prefer; however, if you are new to energy drinks and are searching for a healthier approach then simply look over the ingredients prior to consumption. Why have an energy drink leave you jittery and queasy, when with the right energy drink you can feel stronger, faster and sharper.
By: Lauren S Johnson
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Health is wealth goes the old saying. If you want to excel in sports, you need to have a healthy body. Since sports involve a great deal of physical exertion, a lot of body sweat gets discharged from sports persons’ bodies. This may lead to dehydration and they may have to deal with depletion of vital nutrients and minerals that give energy in their bodies. To supplement their energy needs, they need to take healthy sports drinks.
Healthy sports energy blends are primarily meant to replace body water lost after a physical exertion. They also facilitate replenishment of nutrients, electrolytes, and carbohydrates. Since water makes up around 60% of the person’s body, taking healthy sports drinks to keep this water volume intact becomes essential.
Water facilitates regulation of body temperature through sweating. It also plays the role of a transporter of oxygen and nutrients in the body. Since athletes and sports persons sweat a lot, the chances of water reduction in their bodies multiply and they may get dehydrated. Energy blends can prevent this process.
Healthy sports drinks give instant energy that also lasts longer unlike ordinary drinks that give instant energy that last only a few hours. Healthy sports blends contain calories, sodium, proteins, and other minerals in right proportion. They do not contain any stimulants or sweeteners. They also do not contain substances like caffeine.
Healthy sports drinks are prepared after a great research work on different body needs of sports persons. It can be categorized into isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic depending upon their water and sugar content. Isotonic it contains water similar to the volume of water in the human body, with six to eight percent sugar. Hypotonic sports drinks contain more water and less sugar, while hypertonic sports drinks contain less water and more sugar.
By: J. Harding
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When is the best time to teach our children what is good for them? Make an iced red rooibos tea and they could drink it without knowing it is healthy. Tell them it’s healthy, let your children see that something doesn’t have to taste “yucky” to be good for them.
It is a big responsibility to raise a child. You have within your control the power to help your kids form all kinds of good habits. What could happ en if you serve your two year old a 6 ounce glass of sugar water. Your child will grow used to thetaste of sugar water. Serve your two year old frosted or sugar coated cereals and what will happen. Your child will crave cereals loaded with sugar. They will form the habit of eating and drinking very unhealthy foods.
Give the kids good gifts
We don’t miss what we never had. Give your children the gift of not craving sugar. Give your children the gift of not craving high fructose corn syrup. Give your children the gift of good eating habits.
What would be better for your children than that 6 ounce glass of sugar water, cola or fruit juice laced with high fructose corn syrup? Serve your family red rooibos tea, also known as African rooibos. It is easy to prepare, as simple as making any other iced tea. Your children can enjoy this drink all day long even into the evening. There is no caffeine in red rooibos tea to keep you or your kids awake when it’s time to sleep. With no sugar added, or honey rather than sugar (the choice is yours when you prepare it) the kids won’t be bouncing off the walls.
Health benefits of rooibos
You may ask what will my family be getting from African rooibos tisane? Rooibos tea benefits include healthy anti-oxidants, minerals and vitamins. Add the benefit of starting good eating habits and avoiding products that are packaged to appear healthy yet can be down right dangerous to health. (Think over weight kids, think low self esteem, think childhood diabetes which turns into over weight adults, low self esteem, adult diabetes, heart disease, blindness, loss of limbs and early death to name just a few)
You can start here and add other healthy foods. Offer fruit instead of candy, fresh vegetables instead of cookies and yogurt instead of ice cream. Yes, I know this sounds like cruel and unusual punishment to we adults. We were allowed to form bad unhealthy eating habits, not because our parents didn’t care about us. Our parents were not aware of the dangers of processed foods, they were not told that high fructose corn syrup can lead to poor health. You and I do know, we have been told.
In our desire to find good healthy cold beverages for our families, let’s not forget that African rooibos teas can be served chilled and iced.
By: Connie Bednar
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