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Do Our Kids Need Sports Drinks? |
Trina writes, "Our children are back in school, which means back-to-school sports. So many of the familiar sports drinks, vitamin waters, and energy drinks are purchased during this time. In fact, 1.7 million 'beverages' are sold each day. "
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Many parents will let their children drink sports drinks and flavored waters thinking they are a better alternative to juice or soda. However most drinks come in a much larger bottle and contain more than one serving. The American Academy of Pediatrics, in a clinical report that will be published in the June issue of Pediatrics, 'Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks for Children and Adolescents: Are They Appropriate?,' warns that when used more routinely, because they do usually have calories, drinking extra sports drinks outside of intense physical activity can lead to an increased risk of childhood obesity.
Even during short or light exercise, most kids don't need the extra electrolytes, minerals, and sugar in sports drinks, and can instead drink water. For most children and adolescents, daily electrolyte requirements are met sufficiently by a healthy balanced diet; therefore, sports drinks offer little to no advantage over plain water. During or after participation in short training or competition sessions, athletes generally do not need supplemental electrolyte replacement.
Children and adolescents should be taught to drink water routinely as an initial beverage of choice as long as daily dietary caloric and other nutrient needs are being met. Water is also generally the appropriate first choice for hydration before, during, and after most exercise regimens.
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Posted on Sep 19, 2011 09:49am.
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