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Do you know how much added sugar is in some of our favorite drinks? How can we determine the number of grams of sugar in those drinks based on serving sizes? For a much easier way to visualize our sugar intake, how can we convert grams of sugar to teaspoons of sugar? Why should we be concerned about what’s in our drinks, and what can we do to make healthier choices?
This past month, 290 Mercer County youth explored the answers to these questions through 4-H’s Think What You Drink program in partnership with twelve teachers. During the program, students learned how to read the Nutrition Facts labels of some popular drinks, determined the number of servings per container, and calculated total added sugars in both grams and teaspoons. They also learned how added sugars impact our health and how to identify the names for hidden sugars found in their drinks.
Students explored multiple strategies for reducing their overall intake of added sugars, including healthier alternatives such as seltzer, regular water, or water flavored with fresh fruit. They also discussed the importance of moderation and the value of drinking much smaller portions of their current favorites. The students also learned how sports drinks can be helpful during strenuous exercise, especially during hot days, but how for most of us during typical exercise, water is the best choice.
For more information on how beverage choices and added sugars impact our health, visit these Rutgers Cooperative Extension fact sheets.
Added Sugars: Hidden in Plain View
To learn how to involve your students in our 4-H school enrichment program, please contact us at mercer@njaes.rutgers.edu.