Algoma Public Health targets pop drinkers

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA PUBLIC HEALTH

************************* Rethink your drink during the month of March

SAULT STE. MARIE - (March 3) - Did you know that drinking one can of pop with caffeine can affect a child as much as four cups of coffee can affect an adult?

Or that one can of pop has no nutrients, approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories?

March is National Nutrition Month and Algoma Public Health is asking you to rethink your drink!

"The idea behind the rethink your drink campaign is to get people to think about the nutritional content of the drinks they are consuming," said Lindsay Jones, public health dietitian at Algoma Public Health, "and encourage people to choose the healthier option and stay away from high sugar, low nutrient choices."

Choose healthy drinks such as water, milk and 100 percent unsweetened fruit juice which are thirst quenching and contain nutrients for health.

Limit unhealthy drinks such as pop and fruit drinks, which can be high in sugar and/or caffeine, and low in nutrients.

The campaign will continue throughout April, which is Dental Health Month.

High sugar drinks are correlated with dental cavities because sugar combines with bacteria in the mouth to form acid, which weakens tooth enamel.

Diet pop is not much better because it contains acid and repeated acid attacks cause cavities.

Rethink your drink will be promoted in all elementary schools throughout the Algoma district through the use of various promotional materials.

In Sault Ste. Marie, displays will be set up throughout the month of March.

"Displays are a great way to get the message out to the community," said Erin Frank, dietitian intern at Algoma Public Health. "We are targeting high traffic areas during the March break to reach as many families as possible."

Visit one of the following display locations:

- John Rhodes Community Centre - March 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

- YMCA - March 10 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

- Station Mall - March 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

- Steelback Centre - March 14 during the Soo Greyhound game from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - Sault Area Hospital - March 17, 18 at the General site cafeteria, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and March 19 at Plummer site from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For more information, click here for Canada's Food Guide.

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