Gone are the days when we as parents put out a few two-liter bottles of soda and a pile of hot dogs at kid’s birthday party. As our society and country as a whole moves toward a more food-educated and health-conscious way of life, soda has dropped off the list of household food staples. Sales have hit a 30-year low, with consumers citing calories and artificial ingredients like aspartame as their main reasons for ditching the sugary concoction and searching for healthier alternatives to soda.
The challenge, though, as a parent, is finding a variety of drinks for kids in a culture that still has some deeply ingrained food buying patterns. On a daily basis, the standard water and milk (or non-dairy alternative beverage) can get boring, and neither brings with it much of a celebratory vibe when it comes to a birthday party or weekend gathering of friends.
Luckily, there are some sip-worthy, healthy drink options you can pour without being met with pouts.
Bring on the bubbles
Sparkling water is always a welcomed substitute for soda. Whether you choose mineral water or a simple carbonated variety, they are light and refreshing with the festive and bubbly effervescence we have all come to associate with soda. If you are trying to move your kids away from soda but they already have a taste for it, these waters also mix deliciously well with juices for a more flavorful treat. Then again, food grade essential oils can add a surprising amount of flavor without the calories, sugar content or artificial ingredients.
Get in the mix
There are also a variety of drink mix options out on the market today that are both healthier and cleaner than the old soda stand-by. These drink mixes run the gamut from being as simple as aspartame-free to specialty drinks which are not only dye and sugar free, but carefully balanced with electrolytes and vitamin and mineral ingredients to help your child stay hydrated and healthy.
Go natural
If all else fails and you aren’t entirely ready to give up classic soda just yet, there are some new sodas hitting the market shelves made without artificial sweeteners and with simple ingredients like cane sugar. A few companies have gone as far as creating entirely organic sodas to ease at least some of the worry associated with the declining American novelty food. These sodas may serve as a great transition beverage if you’re having trouble breaking your kids (or yourself) of the soda habit.
Remember, it’s not all or nothing and life is about moderation. Give these soda alternatives a try, your kids might surprise you by loving them and never asking for that dreaded can of high fructose corn syrup and caramel coloring again.