Health Watch — July 4: Hydrating the Right Way
Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we’re talking about enjoying the July 4 holiday safely. Previously, we mentioned some strategies for coping with heat. Drinking plenty of fluids is important, but make sure it’s the right kind of fluid.
Lona Sandon, a registered dietitian at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says it’s best to limit the number of soft drinks you and your children drink — and that includes diet sodas. Studies have shown that people who drink more than one diet soda a day have some of the same health risks as those who drink regular soda. The artificial sweetness of diet soda may help children develop a taste for sweet things that will affect them throughout life. Meanwhile, the acid in any kind of soda can damage teeth. Set a good example for your children by drinking something other than soda. For your July 4 picnic, load up the cooler with water or fruit juice instead of cans of soda.
Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/nutrition to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in nutrition.
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June 2008
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