I lost 10 pounds this week… in sweat.
I’m kidding.
Not really.
I may be off by about eight pounds.
Seriously, though, the heat wave that has been smothering much of the nation is no laughing matter. The extreme temperatures left a major scorch mark on our city. The power went out, our central air shut down temporarily, and it was all I could do to keep my 6-year-old from getting swimmer’s ear from staying in the pool 24/7.
In addition to all of the warnings about staying indoors and out of the blistering heat, slathering on the sunscreen if you dared brave the elements, and checking up on the elderly and others who didn’t have A/C, came the directive from experts to lay off soda and other carbonated beverages, and instead, turn to good old fashioned water to beat the heat.
According to doctors, sugary soda is not an ideal beverage to be giving kids during the dog days of summer. While it is fine to allow children to consume some soda as a treat every now and then, they should not be pounding Coke or Pepsi to cool off during a heat wave. Rather, they should be drinking ice water when the temps soar. The liquid will not only keep them hydrated, but it will also reduce their overall sugar intake.
Fortunately, my daughter prefers water to soda, so I don’t have to sweat it trying to get her to down extra bottles when the mercury spikes. If your kids are not regular water drinkers, then consider adding fresh lemon or lime to their cups to add a bit of flavor. Another idea is to make your own fruit smoothies with fresh berries and orange juice. While the fruity concoction contains sugar, it’s natural and still contains a lot less sugar than a can of Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper or Root Beer.
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