Not long ago, soda was a special treat to be drunk on nights out. Nowadays, the average teenager drinks more than 2 cans a day. One out of 10 teenage boys drinks over SEVEN cans of soda each day. The average American drinks a gallon of soda a week. Do we wonder why we're obese?

Children are being raised on a soda diet. Current research finds that over 50% of a US child's daily calories are supplied by the sweetened juices and sodas they drink. A survey done of families with young children found that parents were serving soda to their infants as young as **7 months old** in a baby bottle.

Before kids are even 2 years old, most are drinking a soda or sugar-based drink daily. Strangely, those getting federal support through the WIC program - who should be receiving nutritious foods - have the highest percentage of children who drink soda.

Not only are these sugary drinks bad for children and cause weight issues as well as other developmental issues, but by serving soda INSTEAD OF breast milk or formula, the child is missing out on critical nutrients.

A child that is ingesting this much sugar probably has a parent who is ingesting this much sugar. Researchers have linked sugary, processed foods and birth defects including nervous disorders. So it is important for ALL aspects of the family for the sugar levels to be kept to a minimum.

In addition, research has shown that Cola causes soft bones. The current research was done on adult women - but this is hardly a danger you want to introduce to a child who is still growing!

Not convinced yet? Dental studies prove that drinking 3 or more servings of soda a day causes 62% more cavities and tooth loss. So these soda drinkers are not only gaining weight, they are destroying their teeth.

In short, drink water and milk. Both are very good for you, both are nutritious. A child who is not raised on soda will not turn into an overweight soda-chugging teenager and adult. What you do with your children while they are young will have an affect on their health for their entire lifetime.

Curious? 1 large Coke at a Burger King = 82g of carbs.

Saccharine in Diet Sodas cause Cancer