Why water?
-Water has a lot of important health benefits. Sixty percent of our body is made of water.
-Inadequate water consumption can have negative consequences on children’s overall health and their ability to learn.
-Children who are dehydrated tend to experience a drop in their cognitive performance, particularly short-term memory and concentration.
-Water is crucial for kidney and skin health as well as proper digestion.
-Drinking water helps maintain a healthy weight and boosts the immune system.
Why Not Sugar Sweetened Beverages?
-Consumption of sugary beverages is the single largest contributor of calories and added sugars to our diet. These calories contribute to weight gain and provide little to no nutritional value.
-One 10 oz. bottle of Fruit Punch has 38g of sugar, equivalent to about 10 chocolate chip cookies. One 20 ounce soda has 17 teaspoons of sugar.
-In Colorado, approximately 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 5 children consume at least one sugary drink per day. By drinking one sugary drink a day, a child has 25% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, 55% greater risk of being overweight or obese, and 150% greater risk of developing fat deposits in their liver, contributing to diabetes and heart disease.
-Sugary drinks are associated with nearly twice the risk of dental cavities in children.

Water and Sugary Drinks Resources
Rethink Sugary Drink Facts
Sugar: Too Much of a Sweet Thing
Hidden Sugar Poster
Benefits of Water
USDA Make Better Beverage Choices
Sugar Beverages and Young Children
Sugar and Health At a Glance
Sugar Sweetened Beverages
Ban the Bottle (Environmental Impact of Disposable Bottles)
What To Drink? Presentation (Made By Jeffco Healthy Schools)
Check Out How Much Sugar Is In Some Common Drinks!
Drink
|
Soda
|
Fruit Punch
|
Sports Drink
|
Big Gulp Slurpee
|
100% Juice Box
|
Chocolate Milk
|
WATER!
|
Size
|
12oz
|
8oz
|
12oz
|
32oz
|
7oz
|
8oz
|
8oz
|
Calories
|
140
|
110
|
50
|
260
|
100
|
200
|
0
|
Teaspoons of Sugar
|
10
|
6.5
|
5.25
|
18
|
6
|
6.25
|
0
|