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Rising food prices can be an opportunity to cut those bad eating and drinking habits from the family shopping bill. The most difficult members of the family will be of course the children, who have been allowed to have what they want. As summer approaches, it is all too easy just to grab that can of soda and to gulp down the contents.
If you could curb the fizzy drink habit, you would not only be saving money, but also your dental health, too!
Yes, that is right, the acidity in fizzy drinks erodes away the enamel on your teeth. From a study of 1,000 teenagers, researchers Dr. Dugmore and Dr. Rock of the School of Dentistry, Birmingham, UK, found 59 percent of 12 year olds suffered from tooth erosion; among 14 year olds, the risk rose by 220 percent, with heavy consumption of fizzy drinks determined to be four glasses per day. Among the 12 year olds, 76 percent drank fizzy drinks, and among the 14 year olds, it was 92 percent!
It is a bit difficult to stop drinking fizzy drinks, at home at least, if other members of the family are still consuming them. So, guess what, moms and dads?
A longitudinal study by Karolinska Institutetdemonstrated from a dietary survey of 80,000 healthy men and women, found that 131 of the sample developed pancreatic cancer, which is not easy to get, and for which there is no cure! Those at risk were found to drink large quantities of fizzy drinks.
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Whilst many schools are doing their best to help your children by banning fizzy drinksfrom the school's canteen, you can help your children, yourselves, as well as your budget, by trying out some alternatives or getting the kids to make their own alternatives with no added sugar.
Alternatives
The thing about freshly made fruit juice is not only that it is full of vitamins and minerals, sounds boring? Well, do any of the following benefits sound boring?
- Improves the condition of your hair.
- Improves your metabolism.
What is more, your children can make them, too, once you have a good liquidizer/blender. Large quantities can be made and kept in the refrigerator for any family member to drink. The seeds can be dried, and used for planting with the little ones, giving them a chance to learn about life. And if there is any pulp, this can go towards making homemade ice crea, fruit salad, or home made slush puppies. Oh, and don't forget, if the fruits you buy are not organic, peel the skins where chemical residues accumulate.
Fruit Juice Combinations
1/2 red grapefruit
1 medium orange
2 handfuls cranberries
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1 orange
1 mango
1 apple
1 pear
1 peach
1 apple
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Buy in season to get the best prices and the healthiest products; there is no variety in buying the same things all year round, which is what happens when we do not buy local. Have fun taking control of your thirst, your health, and your budget; and give thanks to Almighty Allah for providing us with thirst-quenching juices in biodegradable packages!
Sources:
"British Dental Association Fizzy Drinks Prime Factor Behind Teenager's Tooth Erosion." British Dental Association. 12 Mar. 2004. Accessed 14 May 2008.
"How to Make Healthy Drinks at Home." Health Recipes. Accessed 14 May 2008.
"Science Daily Fizzy Drinks Increase Risk of Pancreatic Cancer, Study Finds." Science Daily. 8 Nov. 2006. Accessed 14 May 2008.
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