6 ideas to help your child drink more water
March 2, 2022 Well-being
Parents
According to the Institut de la statistique du Québec and Statistics Canada, in a day, one in four teenagers drinks sweetened beverages. Teenage boys also drink an average of 1/2 liter of sugary drinks and teenage girls drink 1/3 liter.
During Canadian Water Week, which runs from March 21-25 this year, we want to raise awareness about healthy hydration habits so that you can be a role model for your kids! Tap water is not only the best drink for hydration, but it is also an environmentally responsible and economical choice. Drinking water should be a central part of young people's lives.
Types of sweetened beverages
There are a variety of sweetened beverages, including flavoured milks, iced teas, soft drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks. These drinks are all high in added sugar. For example, a can of energy drink can contain up to 16 teaspoons of sugar! Sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with a risk of developing several chronic diseases, such as Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease, in addition to affecting dental health.
Why are young people so attracted to sugary drinks?
Sugar-sweetened beverages are heavily marketed, which overshadows water. This marketing is particularly targeted at young people, and this has consequences. In fact, sweetened beverages represent the main source of sugar in the Quebec population's diet. As a parent, you can help your child adopt the habit of drinking water. Here's how to do it.
Always keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator so that your children can get in the habit of reaching for it often.
6 simple ways to encourage your child to drink water
- Set an example. If you drink water regularly, chances are your kids will follow suit.
- Always keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator so that your family can get in the habit of reaching for it often.
- At mealtimes, take out a pitcher of water. Seeing a pitcher in the middle of the table will certainly encourage your children to pour themselves a glass.
- To vary the taste of the water, flavor it with fruits, fresh herbs, vegetables or extracts. Use your creativity or try these tasty and healthy recipes at home. Be careful with flavored waters and liquid or powdered flavors sold in stores. These often contain sugar and acidic ingredients that can cause tooth erosion, which can lead to dental pain and hypersensitivity.
- Limit sugary drinks in the home. They should only be available on an exceptional basis.
- To encourage your child to drink water, make sure he or she has access to a reusable water bottle when away from home. The Lanaudière region has an interactive map that shows you where to find free drinking water stations near your home. A great way to fill up on the go!
For instance, you can drink sparkling water, herbal teas, or iced infusions, which are also ways to hydrate differently, but just as healthy.
About the “I'm Thirsty for Health” campaign
The I'm Thirsty for Health! awareness campaign, an initiative of the Coalition québécoise sur la problème du poids (Coalition Poids) aims to promote healthy hydration by encouraging, normalizing, and valuing water consumption. Discover several free tools on the healthythirst.ca/homepage to make drinking water more attractive and accessible.
References (in French)
Coalition québécoise sur la problématique du poids, Pour un environnement favorable à la consommation d’eau à la maison
Coalition québécoise sur la problématique du poids, Quelques idées pour boire plus d’eau
Institut de la statistique du Québec, L’Enquête québécoise sur la santé des jeunes du secondaire 2010-2011 – Tome 1 : Le visage des jeunes d’aujourd’hui : leur santé physique et leurs habitudes de vie
Statistique Canada, Beverage consumption of children and teens
Statistique Canada, Changement dans la consommation de sucres totaux chez les enfants et les adultes canadiens
