Showing posts with label No Soda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label No Soda. Show all posts
September 10, 2012
No Soda Stories: Arleng and Isabel
Arlen and Isabel from the Dove Springs community in East Austin each tell their stories about how they stopped drinking soda (in Spanish):
September 3, 2012
Water: Cheaper and Healthier Than Soda
Frances shows us the difference in price between sodas and pure, plain water (video is in Spanish):
August 27, 2012
Aguas Frescas
We love aguas frescas!
For the sake of their health, Frances Acuña's family in Dove Springs only drinks sodas on special occasions. At first, it was difficult getting used to it, but now they are happy to live without sodas. They feel better, and they have more energy. (Click here to watch the videos where Frances and her family talk about their experiences not drinking sodas.)
What's more Frances and her husband Favian, and their two sons discovered they prefer to make their own aguas frescas at home on special occasions, instead of drinking soda. It's more fun, more refreshing, and much healthier. Here they share their recipe for "agua de pepino" (cucumber juice).
Easy Recipe for "Agua de Pepino"
Mix all the ingredients in a blender, and your "agua de pepino" will be ready to drink in just a few minutes. A glass contains less than half the calories of a can of soda...and it's just so much better.
Favian Junior and his little brother Ricardo are glad they promised not to drink sodas during the school week. Favian Jr. says, "It's easy to say 'no' and drink water instead of soda."
Adjusting to a life without soda wasn't a problem for little Ricardo either. Now he loves cucumber and watermelon juice, especially after playing ball outside with his dad and older brother. Every Sunday afternoon before dinner, Favian Sr. and his two sons enjoy some kind of sport activity in their backyard.
Although they've switched from sodas to "aguas frescas" for special occasions, they still drink water every day. Pure, plain water is always the healthiest option!
Diet Sodas
What about diet sodas? They are WORSE because they falsely lead us to believe that they are a healthy alternative and they don't cause us to gain weight. más saludables y que no nos hacen engordar.
Researchers in San Antonio discovered that diet sodas can be equal to or worse than regular sodas, in terms of negative health effects. In studies they did over a period of 9 years, they found that people who drank two or more sodas daily gained weight five times faster than those who didn't drink any diet sodas at all.
Furthermore, when people consume artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, which is present in diet sodas, they are at higher risk for diabetes, as well as other illnesses and health problems. (Faculty of the School of Medicine, University of Texas San Antonio -- ScienceDaily, 6-28-2011)
Avoid All Drinks High in Sugar
The best thing is to not drink any kinds of sodas -- neither diet or regular. Even many of the juices, sports beverages, and fruit-flavored punches marketed to children contain way too much sugar. The healthiest alternative is to drink water or "aguas frescas" with very little sugar (or no sugar at all -- some fruit provides natural sweeteners!).
Say NO to Soda!
 |
| Favian Montemayor and Frances Acuña of Dove Springs |
What's more Frances and her husband Favian, and their two sons discovered they prefer to make their own aguas frescas at home on special occasions, instead of drinking soda. It's more fun, more refreshing, and much healthier. Here they share their recipe for "agua de pepino" (cucumber juice).
 |
| Frances Acuña and her famous "agua de pepino" |
- 2 cucumbers
- 1 liter of water
- NO MORE than 1/4 cup (less is better - too much sugar is unhealthy!)
- Lime juice to taste
Mix all the ingredients in a blender, and your "agua de pepino" will be ready to drink in just a few minutes. A glass contains less than half the calories of a can of soda...and it's just so much better.
WATCH THE VIDEO (in Spanish):
 |
| Little brother Ricardo Acuña drinking his watermelon juice (but he mostly drinks plain water!) |
Adjusting to a life without soda wasn't a problem for little Ricardo either. Now he loves cucumber and watermelon juice, especially after playing ball outside with his dad and older brother. Every Sunday afternoon before dinner, Favian Sr. and his two sons enjoy some kind of sport activity in their backyard.
Although they've switched from sodas to "aguas frescas" for special occasions, they still drink water every day. Pure, plain water is always the healthiest option!
Diet Sodas
 |
"Diet sodas can be free of calories, but
not free from the health consequences."
-- Dr. Helen Hazuta
|
What about diet sodas? They are WORSE because they falsely lead us to believe that they are a healthy alternative and they don't cause us to gain weight. más saludables y que no nos hacen engordar.
Researchers in San Antonio discovered that diet sodas can be equal to or worse than regular sodas, in terms of negative health effects. In studies they did over a period of 9 years, they found that people who drank two or more sodas daily gained weight five times faster than those who didn't drink any diet sodas at all.
Furthermore, when people consume artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, which is present in diet sodas, they are at higher risk for diabetes, as well as other illnesses and health problems. (Faculty of the School of Medicine, University of Texas San Antonio -- ScienceDaily, 6-28-2011)
 |
| Favian Junior says NO to soda! |
The best thing is to not drink any kinds of sodas -- neither diet or regular. Even many of the juices, sports beverages, and fruit-flavored punches marketed to children contain way too much sugar. The healthiest alternative is to drink water or "aguas frescas" with very little sugar (or no sugar at all -- some fruit provides natural sweeteners!).
Say NO to Soda!
What are your favorite recipes for "aguas frescas"?
Share them with us in the comment section below!
 |
| Favian and his sons enjoy a game of soccer before enjoying an "agua fresca" |
August 20, 2012
No Soda Stories: Frances Acuna and Her Family
Have you or your family promised not to drink soda?
Share your experience with us! Leave us a comment below or on Facebook, or send us your own video via email to alexandra@latinohealthcareforum.org.
August 13, 2012
Say No to Soda Challenge
Join us at the Manantial del Salud Dove Springs Health Network and accept Dr. Stephen Pont's challenge to not drink sodas (see the video below) -- or any sugary beverage or juice -- during the school week!
To make an individual or family promise, choose one of the three options below:
- Sent the text* "sinsoda" to 84444 (*your cell phone provider may charge for text messages)
- Send an email to sinsodadovesprings@gmail.com
- Leave a comment on our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/pages/Manantial-de-Salud-Dove-Springs/470287806329818
Your doctor recommends: No sodas during the school week!
"Obesity is a terrible affliction for Latinos in Austin. We need to do many things to fight obesity, and one of the easiest and most important things we can do is to not give our children sodas or other sugary drinks. I ask Latino families to accept this challenge and promise to not drink sodas during the school week. This will help your children's health and education."
--Dr. Stephen Pont, Health Director for the Austin Independent School District (AISD)
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