Health District kicks off its Soda Free Summer Challenge
Annual campaign focuses on healthy alternatives to sugary drinks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 5, 2023
LAS VEGAS – Would you consider drinking 10 teaspoons of sugar? That’s about the amount of sugar in a regular, 12-ounce can of soda. Because of that added sugar, soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages contribute to myriad health problems including obesity, tooth decay and type 2 diabetes.
With that in mind, the Southern Nevada Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion will conduct its Soda Free Summer Challenge from May 5 through August 31. The annual campaign encourages children and adults to choose healthier beverages in favor of soda and other sugary drinks. For details on how to participate in the challenge, visit www.GetHealthyClarkCounty.org or www.VivaSaludable.org. Find us at our local events to learn more about the Soda Free Summer Challenge by checking out our community calendar or our Spanish community calendar.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sugary drinks account for about 46 percent of the average consumption of added sugars in the U.S. Sugary drinks include sodas, sports drinks and fruit drinks, as well as tea and coffee sweetened with added sugar. Nationally, an estimated six in 10 people aged 18 or older reported having sugary drinks once daily or more. Children consume more than 30 gallons of sugary drinks, on average, every year, enough to fill an entire bathtub.
The largest source of added sugar in most people’s diets comes from soda and other sweetened beverages. The daily dietary recommendations per day are approximately 25 to 36 grams of sugar for adults and 25 grams for children. Regular soda, energy drinks and juices have, on average, between 36 to 44 grams of sugar in a 12-ounce can, which translates to between nine and 11 teaspoons of sugar. People are encouraged to limit sugary drinks and opt for healthier alternatives including water, unsweetened tea, and plain milk.
Consumers are advised to read nutrition labels to determine how much added sugar is included in their drinks. For information about how to identify added sugars, visit Get Healthy Tips for Eating Healthy on the Get Health Clark County website and the Spanish language Viva Saludable website.
The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.