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Parents are Top Influence on Soft-Drink Consumption Among Kids
Flavored, carbonated drinks have been around for about two hundred years. And their popularity continues to grow - overtaking more nutritious beverages among some age groups, especially children and adolescents.
In a recent study, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers from the University of Minnesota surveyed 560 children ages 8 to 13 years old on how often they drank soft drinks and the factors that influence soft drink consumption.Among other findings, researchers found:
1. Parental soft drink intake has a stronger influence than children's peers
2. Approximately 30 percent of children reported drinking soft drinks daily and 85 percent reported they usually drink regular, not diet soft drinks
3. The odds of drinking soft drinks almost daily was twice as likely for those who watched television 3.5 hours or more a day than those who watched less television
4. The availability of soft drinks at home and the availability of soft drink vending machines in school were both strongly associated with children's soft drink consumption.
Research has shown that parents are primary role models for kids and that includes their eating habits too. Parents need to be aware of what their kids are consuming and encourage foods and beverages that are packed with nutrients. As your best guideline, be sure soft drinks are not crowding out water and other nutritious beverages like fruit juices.
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Top Ten Reasons to Juice
Liquids - We need liquids to remain healthy, and juicing is a good source of liquids.

Specific vitamins and minerals - When you juice raw fruits and vegetables, you get specific vitamins and minerals in a natural, easily absorbable form. Looking for beta carotene? Drink carrot juice. Looking for potassium? Try a green juice, or blackberry juice.

Phytochemicals - Heard of them? They are substances in plants that are linked to good health and to prevention of specific diseases. They are found only in fruits and vegetables, and juicing is a great way to get them.

Protein from non-meat sources - Although fruits and vegetables do not contain large quantities of protein, their juice can be a convenient carrier. Simply add some brewer's yeast, wheat germ, or whole grains to whatever you're juicing. These give you protein without the fat that meat contains, and protein that is quickly and easily absorbed by the body.

Quick absorption - When you drink juice, the nutrients get to you quickly.

Less digestive work - When you drink juice, you save your body energy; it doesn't have to do as much digesting. It also helps maintain your supply of digestive enzymes; you do not use as many.

Healthy sugar - No, this is not an oxymoron. Juices contain simple sugars that we need for energy; however, because they are combined with other healthful nutrients, they are not harmful, as are refined sugars.

The complete package - When you juice, you get the whole package - all the nutrients found in fruits and vegetables. This means natural nutrients in natural proportions, not added sugars, like those found in juices on supermarket shelves.

Juicing prevents disease - Many studies point out that a diet high in fruits and vegetables can prevent disease.

Enzymes! - Fruit and vegetable juices provide a convenient source of enzymes. Although people don't think of them much, enzymes are extremely important to health. They spark the essential chemical reactions we need to live. They are necessary for digesting food, for stimulating the brain, for providing cellular energy, and for repairing all tissue.