Living well with diabetes is about forming healthy habits for life. That isn’t easy, and we certainly don’t make healthy choices all the time – who does? But with a goal of eating well and engaging in exercise most of the time, we can approach this in a realistic and manageable way.
I found myself frustrated when I read about a study that showed sugary drinks are not unhealthy for active teens. What kind of a message does that send? Are we encouraging teens to consume sugary drinks (by not discouraging it, or by stating things like it’s not so bad)? Would we do this with smoking or drinking alcohol in this age group? What about teaching them: explaining the importance of physical activity and suggesting healthy beverages. We don’t have to make a big deal when they do have a sugary drink on occasion, as long as the focus is on healthy choices and activity.
Again, I’m not suggesting that we give active kids a hard time when they do choose a sugary drink. I’m simply suggesting that our messages be consistent and health promoting. Let’s focus on being proactive and positive – sending messages that kids will take with them for life.