Sugar Shock: Sports Drink Consumption on the Rise

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August 31, 2018

With the recent bans on sodas and other sugary drinks in schools, more teens are now reaching for what might look like a better alternative—sports drinks. But that image is a bit of an illusion. Many experts think parents should be warned that sports drinks, with their claims to replenish fluids, electrolytes and to recharge energy, should be taken with a grain of salt, or should we say, sugar.

Lots of calories and sugar

According to a recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than half of U.S. high school students consume a sports drink at least once a week. The proportion of teens who reported having sports drinks at least once in the previous week rose from 56 percent in 2010 to almost 58 percent in 2015; while the difference seems slight, it’s a bit alarming to health professionals who are warning parents to avoid buying drinks with lots of calories and sugar for their children.

“In the last five years or so, there’s been more awareness around sugar-sweetened beverages. It’s becoming common knowledge that those empty calories can predispose a child to greater weight gain,” said Dr. Megan Pesch, developmental and behavioral pediatrician at University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

The average sports drink on the market can contain around 56 grams of sugar per 32 ounces; that’s twice the daily recommended amount for an adult.

Marketing to teens

Dr. Pesch believes advertisers and marketers for these beverages also hold some responsibility in making the drinks a more prevalent choice for teens. Marketing campaigns around these types of beverages, often targeted directly at teens, have led to the belief that the drinks are ‘healthy’ or necessary to replenish electrolytes after activity. But Dr. Pesch says that’s an assumption that needs to be challenged.

“The marketing on these drinks can be so pervasive. The athletes who endorse the product are beautiful, powerful winners, so who wouldn’t want to be one step closer to that. Combining that with sports, makes it look like a healthy option, so it’s quite deceptive in that way,” Dr. Pesch explains, “I think a sports drink is really only useful in very extreme elite athletes, exerting themselves at high levels – such as ultra marathon runners or Olympic athletes. They’re not useful for an hour long soccer practice, even a hot football practice. In those situations, it doesn’t give any sort of edge over water, and the beverage is full of empty calories.”

Comparing nutrition labels

Dr. Pesch thinks that parents can help educate their teens by comparing the sugar content on the nutrition labels on sports drinks to that of a soda or juice, to make teens aware of the amount of sugar in their favorite sports beverages.

“I think it should be the next wave in the decrease of sugar-sweetened beverages. Five years ago kids would have a soda with lunch, so we’re headed in the right direction. Once we learn about the amount of sugar that’s really contained in some of these drinks, we all make better decisions,” she said.

Good Grief of NW Ohio—Nonprofit Provides Peer-Support Services for Grieving Children

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Erin Schoen Marsh

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August 31, 2018

Good Grief Summer Camp students practice yoga with instructor Erin Marsh.

One out of five children will experience the death of a parent or sibling before they reach 18, explains Dorothy Mockensturm, managing director of Good Grief of Northwest Ohio. In the greater Toledo area, that’s approximately 40,000 children.

Good Grief provides services for local children who are processing grief. “We provide a place and a time for grieving children to come together with other kids their own age who are experiencing a lot of the same things because a death has impacted their lives,” explains Mockensturm. “When they’re together, they can hear other people’s stories and truths, and in doing that, it helps them proces their own stories and their own truths. This thing that has happened to them–this death–can become part of who they are and how they operate in this life without the person they loved.”

Helping to heal

Good Grief is a peer-support organization—not counseling or therapy—where children, teens, and adults can meet and discuss their thoughts and concerns with peers in similar situations. The sessions begin with circle time, where individuals have the chance to introduce themselves and talk about the person who died. Age-appropriate grief-related activities follow, and each meeting allots time for playing and self-expression exercises.

There are no charges for services provided at Good Grief, and “families decide when to step away,” clarifies Mockensturm. “We’re here to hold their hands while they take the journey.” Good Grief only employs three people; everyone else is a volunteer.

Raising awareness

Besides helping grieving children along their journey, Good Grief aims to bring a greater awareness to childhood grief. “There are risk factors for kids when childhood grief is left unaddressed,” discloses Mockensturm. “Death and grief are difficult things to talk about. People don’t want to talk about it because they don’t want to make you sad. For children, it can often make them feel ‘less than‘ or ‘different than’ because people don’t know how to talk to them anymore.”

“[Death] is something we need to talk about and address in the school room, home and churches—really everywhere,” continues Mockensturm. “We…need to hold space for that child to process [the death] in their own way. We can’t well-wish them into being happy again. We need to sit with them and be fully present and accept that things aren’t the same and never will be. The beginnings of that start in this kind of setting [at Good Grief].”

Tips for Grieving Children:

Be purposeful and clear with your language. “We always say ‘dead’ or ‘died;’ we avoid ‘lost’ or ‘passed away.’ For a child, that creates a vagueness that is difficult for them to process,” explains Mockensturm.

Be honest, open, and available. “Let a child know that you hurt, too, and you’re always there, willing to talk,” Mockensturm encourages.

To learn more about peer support groups or to volunteer, call 419.360.4939 or complete the online form: goodgriefnwo.org/enrollment/

Families can schedule a time to meet Dorothy or Shana (the program director).

Taking Risks: Balancing Risk and Failure—A Dad’s Perspective

By

Brad Augustyniak

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August 31, 2018

Watching your kids get older and develop the ability to be more responsible and take on new challenges is exciting, but it’s not always easy. I’m not talking about the standard milestones like the first word or first step. I’m talking about the things that help define them as a person. The things that occur in their life as they age. The challenge comes in balancing the observation with wanting to be the dad, stepping in to help. In my experience, it often works itself out.

Teaching resilience

My 2nd grader was hit in the face with the ball on the soccer field but insisted on continuing to play, while bleeding! I got him patched up and (as his coach) offered to pull him, but he insisted on continuing to play and scored 2 more goals. That night I was thinking about how our kids are often tougher than we think, especially when they really want to accomplish something. It’s a lesson we as adults can learn from too, because few people accomplish their goals without effort, and some sacrifice.

Let them fail

This is a big one, and not something I am particularly good at but it is necessary. As parents we want our kids to succeed and be the best they can be. But it’s easy to forget that failure is a huge part of success and contains important lessons. I often let them win during games or small contests in an effort to build self confidence, but lately I have taken a different approach and I win. The results have been interesting; at first they were upset. Then when we play again they became more strategic and play the game better.

Trust

Just a few months ago my 11 year old daughter completed a Safe Sitter program that trained her to babysit. She’s very excited and we started allowing her to watch our younger boys while we run to the store, grab dinner on a quick date night and things that just take a couple hours. The result has been great; she’s learning responsibility, conflict resolution and other valuable lessons. At first, I was hesitant because my job as the dad is to keep everyone safe and leaving the kids home alone, even for a short time, is not something I take lightly. I quickly learned that trust carries greater importance as they get older.

Risk vs reward

I love this concept. It’s fascinating when kids learn that taking risks often leads to rewards. A few weeks ago my 6-year-old son was afraid to jump off a seven foot pier into Lake Michigan. The water was a bit choppy and I too was hesitant but I encouraged him to jump (with me in the water directly underneath) so he could feel his sense of accomplishment in facing his fear. He finally did it, and while he didn’t want to do it again, the sense of accomplishment he felt was awesome.

Try new things

Kids are curious and it’s healthy to get them involved in new things early. Over the last few years we have tried soccer, baseball, dance, scouts and band. Of course, they don’t stick with everything, but it helps them decide what they like and to become their own person. It helps them avoid worrying about what other kids think. My 8 year old son, for example, tried dance last year and actually liked it. Granted, he loves sports a LOT more, but he wants to keep going with a hip hop dance class for the annual recital with his sister. As a result, he seems to be more into music and has even made his own playlist.

Learning from risk has given me valuable lessons in raising my kids and, hopefully, some of these will help you too.

Cedar Point Shores Family 4 Pack Giveaway!

By

Digital Media

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August 23, 2018

Enter by September 1! We are running out of water time!

Museum Day

By

Kimberly Feldkamp

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August 17, 2018

Have you been wanting to check out some of the great museums in the area, but the price of admission has kept you from exploring local treasures? No worries—Smithsonian wants to help out. On Saturday, September 22, 2018 museums across the nation will adopt the policy of the Smithsonian, opening their doors for free to visitors with a Museum Day ticket. You can download free tickets now at the Museum Day website. Each ticket—one per email address—grants the ticket holder and one guest free access to the participating museum.

In our area, you can check out great places like the National Museum of the Great Lakes, Sauder Village, Fort Meigs, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums and more.

Museum Day celebrates the power of museums to provide visitors with insight and inspiration. More than 1,250 museums have registered to date. You can see the full list and download your tickets here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-day-2018/.

Chow Down and Read at Spaghetti Warehouse

By

Deanna Woods

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August 13, 2018

Spaghetti requires much attention. So many noodles, so much slurping! It takes a while, eating a plate of it. So why not spend that very attentive time and get a read in, as well?

Spaghetti Warehouse Toledo presents ‘Chow Down and Read’, a special opportunity for kids to participate in a circulating library. Every Tuesday, visit Spaghetti Warehouse, bring the kiddos and a book in good condition, and donate it to the Spaghetti Library for a free kids meal!

It’s dine in only, so it may be a great time to sit down and spend a few moments to help them along with their reading, too. Kids can choose any one book from the library to replace with the book they bring along with them. It’s ever-changing!

It’s lunch-and-learn if we’ve ever seen it, that’s for sure!

Limit (2) two free Kid’s Menu meals per table, children ten and under.

Spaghetti Warehouse Toledo | meatballs.com

42 S Superior St | 419-255-5038