Jar of Good Drink: what is this nutritional guide and its benefits

To eat well, it is not enough to control what we eat, it is also important look at what we drink. The jar of good drinking is a graphic reference on the amount and type of liquids that we should consume per day and that are good for our body.

A fundamental part of rising rates of childhood obesity In some countries like Mexico, it is due to the type of drinks that are consumed. For this reason it is important to know what to take and in what quantities, to maintain an adequate diet. Hence the importance of the jug of good drinking.

Learn about the jar of good drinking and its benefits for your health

The jug of good drinking is a tool created by the Ministry of Health in Mexico. Due to the high and growing rates of childhood obesity, the country's authorities have implemented some measures to teach the population to eat better.

The problem is not limited only to what we eat, it is also caused by a high consumption of soft drinks and sugary drinks, which prompted the authorities to implement the jar of good to drink. Thus

a dissemination effort has been made about what substances we should drink, as well as their recommended daily amounts.

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Why is what we drink so important?

What we drink is just as important as what we eat. Sometimes when we are taking care of our health, we take special care that our diet includes the necessary vegetables, cereals and proteins, but we neglect what we drink.

Although it seems obvious, excessive consumption of sodas and sugary drinks has no place in a balanced diet. However, in some countries and regions, the consumption of these is very high and people do not consider them a danger to their diet.

Even industrial juices are part of the daily diet of many children, due to the general ignorance about the high sugar content of these drinks. This also brings with it another problem: children stop consuming enough water by replacing it with juices.

The body requires a certain amount of water per day to hydrate properly. Hydration is essential for the organs to function properly, since a lack of this fluid can result in chronic and degenerative diseases.

This is the reason why you should drink water according to the recommended amount. As for the rest of the liquids, they should be consumed in less quantity and not replace our water intake. Drinking sugary products, in addition to not offering adequate hydration, increases the possibility of developing obesity and diabetes.

The jar of good drinking is a guide to guide us on our consumption of liquids per day. It indicates the amounts necessary for our body to hydrate properly, illustrated with levels indicating its health benefits and the need for its presence in the diet.

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Level 1: Drinking water

Drinking water is the beverage that should be consumed in greater quantity. It is the healthiest and it is actually the only one that the body requires. It is recommended to drink 6 to 8 glasses of 240 ml per day and it is always better to do it gradually, in several doses spread throughout the day.

Unfortunately there are many families who do not usually drink natural water. They have become so used to the sugary taste that they have eliminated unflavored water from their diet. It is urgent that this habit change and that of drinking enough water be established.

Level 2: Low-fat milk

Another drink option that we can consume is semi-skimmed milk. It should be low fat and not whole, so that the caloric intake is lower. Thus we will also be obtaining animal protein without increasing our caloric intake too much.

Of semi-skimmed milk or similar, two glasses a day are recommended. An alternative to animal milk are soy, almond, or oat slurries, but it is important to remember that these should not have added sugar.

Level 3: Coffee and tea without added sugar

Although in smaller quantities, we can also drink coffee or tea. As long as no sugar is added to them, these drinks can be consumed according to the recommended maximum of 4 glasses per day.

Of course, it must be taken into consideration that 4 glasses or cups of coffee are not an adequate amount for minors. Especially in the case of tea, care must also be taken that the infusions that are made are suitable for the age of the youngest.

Level 4: Non-caloric drinks with artificial sweeteners

Although it is best not to consume them, the jug of good drinking includes them to a lesser extent. The body can survive without ingesting drinks with artificial sweeteners, although if they are drunk in moderation, they can be allowed in the diet.

In the market there are industrial drinks without calories, which are usually offered as diet products. In this case they can be consumed as maximum two glasses a day, but children should not drink them in any quantity.

Level 5: Drinks with high caloric value and no health benefits

This type of drink should be taken sporadically and in small quantities. Although they have practically no nutritional contribution, the jar of good drinking contemplates their consumption, but only a half a glass per day maximum.

This category includes industrial juices (even those sold as 100% fruit), whole milk, sports drinks, and alcoholic beverages. Needless to say, all of these are not recommended in any amount for children.

Level 6: Soft drinks, flavored water

Soft drinks and flavored waters should not be consumed. In a population affected by high rates of obesity, especially in children, the recommendation is to abstain from these drinks completely.

The amounts of sugar they contain and the frequency with which they are used to consuming, have made these drinks a bad thing. For this reason it is that the jug of good drinking clearly states that they should not be included in any quantity.

Bibliographic references

• The benefits of the jar of good drinking, extracted from the page of the institute of security and social services of state workers, Government of Mexico.
• S.Ludwig, David et al. (2017) Relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: a prospective, observational analysis. The Lancet. DOI: 10.1016 / S0140-6736 (00) 04041-1.