Sugary drinks are linked with excess weight in children.
They include fizzy drinks, squashes, cordials and juice drinks. Milk and water are the best choices.
Tips
If your family loves soft drinks or other sweetened drinks, reduce them gradually.
Start by adding plenty of water to cordials and squashes.
Add extra water each time to squashes and cordials to reduce your child’s taste for sweetness.
Keep sweetened drinks for the weekend.
Make water freely available between meals.
Water is tastier when it’s cold: put a jug of water in the fridge
Add a slice of lime, lemon or orange to give it flavour and colour.
How much sugar is in your child's drink?
This table shows how much sugar is in commonly available sugary drinks. Click on the image to open a larger version.
Compare sugar & caffeine in energy drinks
Check before you choose
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The facts about your energy drink
Check before you choose
Energy drinks are not suitable for:
Children under the age of 16 years of age
Rehydration after sport or exercise
As a mixer with alcohol
Pregnant and breast-feeding women
What is in your cereal?
Check before you choose
If the cereal name or description sounds sugary then it most likely is. Descriptions like ‘honey-coated’, ‘frosted’ or ‘chocolate-coated’ are a good give-away that they contain added sugar. Most cereals will have a label on the front of packaging like the one below. Choose more greens and ambers, and fewer reds.
The facts about your cereal
ALWAYS CHECK THE LABEL FOR SUGAR CONTENT.
means low in that nutrient, and is the healthier choice.
means medium
means high
Add natural sweetness to your cereal with fruit.
Swap sugary cereals for whole-grain cereals. Whole-grain cereals Have more fibre to help out children’s digestive system and will keep you fuller for longer.
Energy drinks are not suitable for:
