Habit 2: Nutrition
How much sugar is hiding in your drink?
Drinks are one of the easiest places for extra sugar to sneak in. Once you know what to look for, you can spot it in seconds.
Why drinks matter
A drink can look like the healthy choice and still carry a lot of sugar. Canada's Food Guide lists iced tea, fruit juice, sports drinks and flavoured coffees alongside pop as sugary drinks.
Sugary drinks can lead to cavities, and Canada's Food Guide says having them regularly may raise the risk of other health problems later on.
Water has no sugar and it's what the Food Guide recommends for staying hydrated. It's the right choice during and after sports too.
Try the Hidden Sugar Lab
One regular can of cola. How many teaspoons of sugar do you think are hiding inside? Lock in your guess, then watch the can pour. No peeking at the label!
Share of the Daily Value for sugars
One teaspoon of sugar is about 4 g. Check the label on your own drink, because brands differ.
Next step: try the Glass at the Bell quest3 easy swaps
Do a label check
Flip the bottle over and find the sugars line and the % Daily Value. 5% or less is a little. 15% or more is a lot. Check how many servings are in the bottle too, because one bottle can hold more than one serving.
Glass at the Bell
Drink a full glass of water when class starts. It's a tiny habit that's easy to remember because the bell does the reminding for you.
Swap one, not everything
You don't have to give up your favourite drink. Start by swapping one sugary drink a day for water or plain milk. Add fruit slices or a splash of fizzy water if plain water feels boring.
Try it: the Glass at the Bell quest
Start every class with a full glass of water for 10 days. Hit 8 out of 10 to unlock a badge. Want to see the sugar for yourself? Join the Hidden Sugar Lab workshop.
Start the Glass at the Bell quest