Good
afternoon,
We
invite everyone to join us for our fresh fruits and vegetable market this
Thursday at Pathfinder Produce. Join us at the Village Commons, from 2 to
5 p.m. for the freshest produce around!
One
of the unexpected things that has happened during our first year of the
Pathfinder Produce market has been the way it has brought people
together. Our residents help prepare for the market and serve customers,
we have a loyal contingent of local volunteers who assist with duties, and we
work closely with the 5-2-1-0 Every Day staff and other organizations in
sharing our fresh produce market with the community. Through this
connection, we have gotten to know College Senior Marni Rawiszer, who has an internship
with the 5-2-1-0 staff this semester.
Marni
is working towards a degree in Child and Family Studies at the State University
of New York at Oneonta, and hopes to continue her studies at the graduate
level, possibly in the field of public health. As a special project, Marni has
worked with her advisors to provide the following guest post:
*********
By
Marni Rawiszer
5-2-1-0 Every Day Intern
5-2-1-0 Every Day Intern
The consumption of sports drinks has greatly risen over the
past three decades. As childhood obesity rates continue to climb, it is evident
the increase in sports drinks consumption is no coincidence. Marketing
campaigns are directly targeting children and adolescents by the means of
social media and using slogans to specifically attract their attention. Two important
beliefs resulting from these campaigns are:
- Sports drinks are especially beneficial for children and adolescents during sports practices, games or when otherwise being physically active, and
- Sports drinks represent a healthy alternative beverage to soda.
As parents, coaches and educators, we are quick to choose the
highly advertised sports drinks such as Gatorades and PowerAdes that promise to
hydrate and enhance athletic performance. However, electrolytes and
carbohydrates in sports drinks are only justified for athletes who are
vigorously exercising for over an hour at a time or performing extreme activities.
Therefore, the majority of healthy children and adolescents do not need the
nutrients which sports drinks provide. Even for children who are participating
in long practices and doing high energy activities such as running for an hour,
consumption of water before, during and after vigorous activity should be
sufficient, according to researchers.
Surveys also have found adolescents who are drinking sports
drinks are more likely to be physically inactive and are looking for an
alternative beverage to soda. Some teens even believe sports drinks are a
healthier option. Advertisements showing athletes performing better using
these sports drinks give misleading messages to children. Sports drinks contain
extra calories, in the form of unnecessary sugar that can help pack on the
pounds.
Additionally, sports drinks also contain high amounts of
sodium, which is linked to increased risk of developing high blood pressure.
Another ingredient commonly found in sports drinks is citric acid, which
increases the risk for the development of cavities. For these reasons,
parents and children should not look to sports drinks as a healthier
alternative to soda.
In today’s market of abundant choices on the shelves, it is
difficult to choose the product which best suits our needs or our children’s.
Research shows that a balanced diet is the best way for the average child to
replenish water, electrolytes and carbohydrates. Water provides the fluids
necessary for children and adults to rehydrate as well as sports drinks. Sports
drinks contain excess calories, sugars and additives unnecessary for the
average child. Therefore this makes water the best choice for a beverage all
the time and while exercising.
Thanks to our 5-2-1-0 partners for sharing this important
health information. We hope to see you this week at Pathfinder Produce!
Until next time, be well!
Lori
