shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Health-conscious parents often worry about what their kids are eating. Those greasy fast food French fries kids love might be cringe-worthy to parents, but it’s not just the foods kids request that parents should monitor. Adults and children alike have favorite beverages that may or may not be healthy. But which beverages are beneficial and which should be avoided? The answer to that isn’t always absolute. The following breakdown can help health-conscious parents determine which drinks their kids can continue to enjoy as well as which ones they should limit or avoid altogether. Sweetened Drinks Sweetened drinks can include some fruit punches and other fruit drinks that aren’t called “juice.” Labels on these beverages often claim “Made with real fruit juice.” While that might be true, they’re all too often made with a lot of sugar as well. Typically, these drinks do provide some nutritional value, including some vitamins and minerals. However, these drinks are often high in calories, and the amount of vitamins and minerals provided is minimal. The American Heart Association suggests the less adults and children have of these drinks, the better off they are. Still, the drinks are not entirely devoid of nutritional value, so parents might want to decide if they’ll allow kids to drink sweetened drinks in moderation or remove them from the refrigerator entirely. Sodas Sodas have taken quite a public relations hit in the 21st century, and that’s likely because they provide no nutritional value. What’s more, many sodas provide more sugar than a child’s body needs, which will lead to weight gain and possibly even cavities or tooth decay. Children typically love soda, so parents might find it difficult to stop kids’ soda consumption entirely. However, soda’s status as a sugary, high-calorie drink makes it one beverage most parents will want their kids to avoid. If kids must drink soda, try diet soda instead. Though diet soda also provides no nutritional value, at the very least it’s a lower-calorie alternative. Milk Milk is perhaps the most difficult beverage for parents to gauge. Many parents assume all milk is the same. However, whole milk and 2 percent milk contains extra fat the body does not need. All milk provides valuable nutrients like calcium and protein, contributing to strong bones and teeth while helping build strong muscles. But when choosing which milk to give kids, choose fat-free (formerly skim) or 1 percent milk, each of which provides the same amount of nutrients as whole or 2 percent without also providing unnecessary fat. Water Kids might be indifferent to water, but water helps maintain a healthy body temperature and can even make skin look better. Water’s also important in digestion, helping the body digest food. Kids should drink water every day. In addition, parents who are concerned about their children’s weight should encourage them to drink more water. The symptoms of dehydration mimic those of hunger, so kids who don’t drink enough water could be mistaking mild dehydration for hunger. Drinking more water might just help kids avoid eating an extra snack or two, indirectly helping them lose weight. To learn more ways to help kids get healthier, visit the American Heart Association at www.heart.org. LEWIS & CLARK BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES “Making a Difference in People’s Lives” Individual & Family Counseling • Psychiatric Evaluations Consultation Services • Medication Management Children’s Services • Vocational Services Education & Prevention Services • Geriatric Mental Health Services • Adult & Adolescent Substance Use Evaluation & Treatment HOURS: 8 A.M. - 5 P M-W-F, 8 A.M. - 8 P TUES & THURS .M. .M. EMERGENCY SERVICES 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK 1028 Walnut, Yankton, SD Telephone 605-665-4606 Imaging Suite Open House, Ribbon Cutting & Chamber Mixer Tuesday, April 12, 2011 Lewis & Clark Specialty Hospital will be hosting a Chamber of Commerce Mixer from 5-7 p.m. Chamber members and all members of the community are welcome to attend. Drinks and appetizers will be provided. A ribbon cutting event for the facility’s new Imaging Suite will also take place that evening at 5:30 p.m. Michelle Hlavac, LCSH Radiology Director, will be sharing information on the new Lewis & Clark Specialty Hospital Imaging Suite, providing Imaging Suite Tours and welcoming Diagnostic Radiologist, Dr. Thomas Posch. Any questions, please call 605664-5300. Hope to see you there! SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF YANKTON FOR OVER 85 YEARS Continuing the Caring Tradition of a Full Service Pharmacy • We accept all Medicare D plans & most insurance programs • Charging, Delivery, & Drive-Up Conveniences • Give Pharmacists Dan or Michael a call! Your Local Good Neighbor Pharmacy 109 W. 3rd St. Historic Downtown Yankton 605-665-7865 Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-6pm Sat 8:30am-5pm SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF YANKTON FOR OVER 85 YEARS $100 $ COUPON 100 • SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF YANKTON FOR OVER 85 YEARS • Kids’ Favorite Drinks Not Always Healthy • SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF YANKTON FOR OVER 85 YEARS • April 5, 2011 • Page 10 $100 off Any Complete Eye Glass Purchase Eye Exams Available Sales & vision plans excluded. Not valid on prior purchases. Must present coupon at time of purchase. Expires 04/23/11 Optical Expressions 2101 Broadway Ave. #40 • Yankton • 665-6181 New Imaging Suite NOW OPEN! Region’s Only Open MRI CT Scan • Ultrasound Nuclear Medicine • General X-ray State-of-the-art Surgical Hospital ... That Offers the Highest Quality Care Physician Owned 2601 Fox Run Parkway, Yankton, SD lewisandclarkspecialty.com Phone (605) 665-5100 Toll Free (866) 556-3822 Complete Care of the Head & Neck Region • Chronic Sinus Problems & Endoscopic Sinus Surgery • Chronic Ear Infections & Ventillation Tubes • Head & Neck Cancer • Tonsillectomies • Hearing Difficulties • Ear Pain • Snoring & Sleep Apnea Treatment • Balloon Sinuplasty • Comprehensive Hearing Evaluation & Counseling • Balance Disorder We’re H“ear” ForYou! Physician Owned 2601 Fox Run Parkway, Yankton, SD lewisandclarkspecialty.com Phone (605) 665-5100 Toll Free (866) 556-3822 Let us work with you on... • Pre-Pointe Assessment and Readiness • Foot and Ankle Injury Treatment and Prevention • Hip Pain Treatment • Analysis and Improvement of Turn-out and Extension Ruth Scott, PT/Owner • Balance Training • Screening for Dance Teams and Individual Studios • Instruction on Stretching to Improve Splits Turn-out, and Pointe EAR, NOSE & THROAT ASSOCIATES, P .C. David J. Abbott, M.D. • Catherine A. Wright, M.D., Beth J. Beeman, Au.D, CCC-A • Todd A. Farnham, Au.D, CCC-A 605-665-0062 toll free 866-665-0062 409 Summit Street, Ste. 3200, Yankton SD 57078 Check out our new website: www.entyankton.com 1407 East Cherry Street, Vermillion SD 57069 • (605)624-7246 101 East Cedar, Beresford, SD 57004 • (605)763-8037 801 Summit, Yankton, SD 57078 • (605)665-3861