Food - Softdrinks.
Oh those wonderfully refreshing commercials can
certainly be alluring! But what do soft drinks really have to
offer?
Why do you care?
- Approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar often in the form of
high fructose corn syrup (sometimes labelled as glucose/fructose)
in one 12 ounces serving
- Cola contains caffeine - 35 to 56 milligrams per 12 ounces
- Aspartame in diet drinks can contribute to headaches, migraines,
dizziness, seizures, palpitations, vision problems and anxiety
- Soft drinks are acidic and can cause gastrointestinal distress
and alter the acid-alkaline balance in the stomach
- They contain various synthetically produced additives, such
as phosphoric acid which has been linked to calcium depletion
in bones
- The Soft Drink Industry purchases 95 per cent of the aluminum
cans, 55 per cent of the rigid polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) plastic containers and 15 per cent of the glass bottles
consumed by Canadian manufacturing industries. (Source: CSDA)
- Although soft drinks are considered a "drink"
they contribute to dehydration because of their caffeine content.
Often they are consumed in place of water which is further
dehydrating.
The Know How
- Choose healthier alternatives - juice diluted with sparkling
water or even better - water with slices of lemon, lime or
orange served over ice
- Moderation is the best policy if you're trying to break
the soft drink habit. Try eliminating 1 serving per week and
try replacing it with a glass of water
Know and Tell
- During the summertime why not try replacing your soft drinks
with a refreshing Sparking Raspberry Lemonade?
3 cups of frozen raspberries
1 cup honey
1/2 cup water
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1 liter bottle chilled sparkling water or club soda
Combine frozen raspberries, honey, and 1/2 cup water in
medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until honey dissolves
and berries thaw. Increase heat and boil 3 minutes. Strain
raspberry mixture into bowl, pressing on solids to extract
as much liquid as possible; discard solids in strainer.
Chill until cold.
Stir raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water in
large pitcher to blend. Serve over ice with glasses trimmed
with lemon slices.
Written by Lisa Rockliffe a registered nutritionist at Collective
Wellness who specializes in pediatric and women's nutrition.
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