A 1995 survey of Australian children discovered that 33 out of every 100 kids interviewed had consumed soft drink the previous day. Ten years later, another survey found that 78 per cent of 12-17 year olds had consumed soft drink in the previous week. It looks like soft drinks are habit-forming!
So much sugar!
The table below shows how many teaspoons of sugar are in the types of drinks you might buy at a café, milk bar or canteen. To see how much sugar this is, grab a glass, a teaspoon and some sand or rice, and count the teaspoons into your glass.
Type and amount of drink Sugar approx teaspoons/pack
Regular can of soft drink (375 ml) 9-13
375 ml can - Cola 9-11
375 ml can - Diet cola 0
375ml can - Carbonated mineral water 0
250 ml pack - Pure fruit juice 4-9
300 ml bottle - Fruit juice and mineral water 5-8
250 ml pack - Fruit juice drink 5-9
300ml carton - Normal, full fat milk 4
300 ml carton - Chocolate flavoured milk 6-8
It's worth noting that many soft drinks are sold in bigger sizes, such as the 600 ml 'buddy' bottle, which is apparently meant to be shared (but rarely is). When you 'upsize' a meal at a fast food restaurant you're also getting much more sugar!
Why is sugar unhealthy?
Your body turns the foods that you eat and drink into the energy it needs to grow and function. Different types of drinks contain different levels of energy. The amount of energy in food and drink is measured in either 'calories' or 'kilojoules'.
Soft drinks are often called "empty calories". This means they contain sugar, water and colour but very little else. They provide some energy for your body but contain almost none of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy.
Soft drinks also make you feel full for a half hour or so, but then hungrier than if you'd had nothing at all.
Smart sipping
To keep your body strong and healthy, it's best to avoid soft drinks – or save them for special occasions only. Tap water is best when you're thirsty.
Eating fresh fruit is better than drinking juice. If you're still thirsty after eating fruit, have a glass of water!
Related reading:
Healthy Snacks
Soft Drinks, Soft Bones
Tap Water Best for Teeth
Top Up Your Tanks
