“Healthy Beverages for All” is a program focused on decreasing excessive consumption of sugary drinks through education and municipal policy to prevent chronic diseases and address health inequities in Colorado, specifically Pueblo County. This statewide initiative is happening in the following seven counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Garfield, Jefferson, and Pueblo.
Considering sugary drinks are the largest source of added sugar in the American diet, and one of the leading causes of obesity, type II diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and tooth decay, healthy options need to be easily accessible for all. One way to make this possible is to improve children’s meals by including a healthy default option of water or unsweetened milk (or dairy substitute) to prevent chronic illnesses and establish healthy habits early in life. This is called a “Healthy Drinks in Kids’ Meal” strategy. Additionally, this project can provide resources to reprint menus to decrease the advertising of sugar-sweetened beverages and eliminate any cost to restaurant owners.”
Why Sugary Drinks?
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Sugary drinks are the biggest source of extra sugar and calories in the U.S. diet. Drinking them too often can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, cavities, and even cancer.
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Sugary drinks are easy to find and heavily advertised in the places we live, work, and play. This leads many people to drink too much, which harms our communities. BIPOC and historically marginalized groups in Colorado are especially affected by these health issues.
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The American Heart Association says more than half of kids drink sugary drinks every day. On average, a child drinks about 30 gallons of sugary drinks a year, which is enough to fill a bathtub. Health experts recommend that children have no more than 25 grams (6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day, but just one sugary drink can exceed this limit.
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An unhealthy diet often includes too many sugary drinks, fast food, and processed snacks. These foods and drinks can lead to weight gain, heart problems, and other serious health issues. Choosing water or milk instead of juice is a better option because juice still has a lot of sugar. Water keeps the body hydrated without extra sugar, and milk provides calcium and other nutrients that help keep bones strong.
1 sugary drink a day leads to
25%
Increased risk for type 2 diabetes
33%
higher risk of dying from heart disease
31%
higher risk of cavities
Support Health Drinks in Kids’ Meals
A Healthy Drinks in Kids' Meals policy is a community-driven, evidence-based strategy designed to help kids make healthier choices. This policy ensures that the default drink served with a bundled kids' meal (a meal that includes a drink) is a healthy option. The choices include unflavored milk, a milk alternative, or water with no added natural or artificial sweeteners. It also reduces the marketing of sugary drinks to children in restaurants.
Who Can Endorse?
We are seeking endorsements from:
- Restaurants
- Schools and Childcare Facilities
- Healthcare Providers
- Community Organizations
- Anyone who can help make a difference for kids’ health
Why Endorse?
By endorsing, your organization shows its commitment to children's health. Endorsers are featured in our marketing and communications materials, but endorsements are not included in any policy documents or lobbying materials.
A simple endorsement helps ensure that the automatic drink served with a kids' meal is a healthy choice, such as unflavored milk or water.
Get Involved!
Gabby Stapleton, [email protected]