Akendra Jackson, EFNEP Nutrition Educator
Water is important in our daily routine, and we must work hard to develop better habits. A large percentage of our bodies are made up of water; as we lose water, we must replenish it. Drinking enough water daily is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, flushing toxins, regulating body temperature, removing waste through sweating, and using the restroom. Water also provides moisture to the skin and other tissues, cushions joints, and strengthens muscles. These are some of the benefits of drinking enough water. Water can often be purchased at a lesser cost than other sweetened drinks and gives the most benefits.
Students at local schools in Berkeley and Charleston counties are working to develop better drink choices during our “Rethink Your Drink” lesson. “If you can only see some of the students’ faces,” said Akendra Garrett, Nutrition Educator. The students are often shocked about their findings while measuring the amount of sugar in many common drink choices. Many discover that drinks they thought would be a “GO” drink end up in the “WHOA” section as we go through the lesson.
Go, Slow, and WHOA indicators are used during the lesson to categorize drinks. Go are drinks that should be consumed most often, like water and low-fat milk. Slow beverages can be consumed in moderation because they contain some sugar and nutrients essential for our bodies. WHOA drinks must be limited because they have high amounts of sugar and usually have little to no nutritional value. Seeing the students come up to you to show you that they have made a shift by displaying their water bottles is rewarding. Here are just a few ways you can fall into healthier drinking habits:
1.) Choose water over sweetened drinks more often.
2.) Carry a water bottle and refill it throughout the day.
3.) Opt for water when eating out. You’ll save money and reduce calories.
4.) Add fresh fruit to your water, like a wedge of lime or lemon. This can help improve the taste.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
