Special for IFN
Drinking a soda a day is something that many Americans, including children, enjoy.
According to Dr. Michael Tjahjadi, board-certified pediatrician, consuming just one of these sugary drinks each day may be doing more harm than you think.
“Let’s say you drink one of these (20 ounces of soda) every day for a year. That equates to 5,840 teaspoons of sugar per year, which is equivalent to more than 50 pounds of sugar,” he said. “One soda can contain more sugar than four donuts or 12 cookies.”
While some of these sugar calories—depending on your overall eating habits, exercise, and genetics—will be burned as energy, most of it will be stored in the body as excess fat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet. Drinking too much of these drinks can lead to long-term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, heart disease, obesity and gout.
What is the first step in mitigating the risk of diseases associated with sugar intake?
Building healthy habits through beverage choices is a good start, according to Tjahjadi.
“If there’s one health tip I like to focus on, it’s this — water,” he said. “Whether it’s bottled water or tap water, it doesn’t matter as long as you cut back on sugary drinks and replace them with water.”
Sugary drinks include not only carbonated drinks, but also fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks and soft drinks. Flavored coffees and other sweet drinks you might order when eating out are also considered sugary drinks. And don’t forget – adding sugar and flavored creamer to coffee and tea at home counts too.
In addition to replacing every sugary drink with water, the CDC’s “Rethink Your Drink” campaign highlights some other tips and tricks:
• Need more flavor? Add berries or slices of lime, lemon or cucumber to the water.
• If water just won’t do, look for beverages that contain important nutrients like low-fat or fat-free milk, or unsweetened and fortified milk alternatives.
• Missing sodas? Add a splash of 100% juice to plain sparkling water for a refreshing, low-calorie drink.
• At the coffee shop, skip the flavored syrups and whipped cream. Look for a drink with low or fat-free milk or sugar-free milk alternatives such as soy or almond.
• On the go? Carry a reusable water bottle with you and fill it up throughout the day.
• In store? Read the labels on the drinks you buy and choose only those that are low in calories, added sugars and saturated fat.
“The point here is not perfection, but building habits,” Tjahjadi said. “We are human and everyone’s health journeys are different. The goal is not to guilt or shame, but rather to empower you with knowledge.”
Iredell Health System’s mission is to inspire wellness together. Tjahjadi embraces that philosophy at his pediatric practice on Hartness Road in Statesville.
“As a pediatrician, if I can impact a child’s life so that when they grow up they don’t need to take medication for diabetes or high blood pressure, that’s very rewarding,” he said.
LEARN MORE
Dr. Michael Tjahjadi, known to his patients as Dr. Michael, practices at Iredell Pediatrics, part of the Iredell Physician Network. He is accepting new patients. Call 704-380-6420 or visit IredellPediatrics.com for more information.
About Iredell Health System
Iredell Health System includes Iredell Memorial Hospital; Iredell Mooresville; Iredell Home Health; Iredell Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center; Community and Corporate Welfare; Occupational Medicine; Iredell Physicians Network and more. Iredell Memorial Hospital is the largest and only non-profit hospital in Iredell County. The comprehensive health care facility has 247 beds; more than 1800 employees; and has approximately 365 health care providers representing various specialties. Centers of excellence include women’s and children’s centers; Cardiovascular; Cancer; Surgical Services and Wellness & Prevention. The Health System’s newest campus, Iredell Mooresville, is home to the area’s only 24-hour urgent care facility, as well as an ambulatory surgery center, imaging center, rehabilitation services and physician practices. Iredell Health System’s mission is to inspire wellness. For a complete list of services and programs, visit www.iredelhealth.org.
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