New research has determined that there is a straightforward way to make a significant impact on the battle against childhood obesity. It is an idea that is so obvious, not to mention cost effective, that it could be considered crystal clear to many of us: have your kids drink more water.  When substituted for sweetened beverages like soda and sweetened juices, it was found that the impact could be significant.

Analyzing data of over three thousand children between the ages of 2 to 19, doctors determined that reducing a child’s intake of sweetened beverages could lead to a substantial drop in a child’s daily caloric intake, with each 1% decrease potentially resulting in a 6.6% drop in calories, or a decrease of over 200 calories a day.

Sugary drinks are widespread in our culture, and have become a staple for many children. Over the course of the past several years, they have become so commonplace in the our diets that they are considered to be part of the obesity problem in this country because they are simply empty calories that contribute little in the way of nutritional value.

In addition to the extra calories, sweetened beverages take a toll on our teeth, not to mention the amount of artificial flavors and preservatives that they are filled with, as well as your kid’s exposure to plastics. When you really get down to it, when you’re drinking certain beverages, there is a chance that there is not a single natural ingredient in there.

There are economic incentive to drinking water. Besides being much cheaper than soft drinks, especially if you drink it from the tap, think of the money that can be saved on dentist’s bills.

And finally, if you have any concerns about the planet, drinking water has a much smaller ecological impact in terms of waste, as well as the carbon cost of producing all those cans and bottles.

Water, in the end, is the way to go. Though this might be obvious to parents, it might not be an easy sell to your kids, especially if they are already well on their way down the sugary path. That is not to say, however, that it cannot be done. So here are a few ideas that might help you encourage a healthier lifestyle for everyone in your family.

1. Set the proper example. As a parent, your kids look to you to guide them, so if you’re drinking water, they will be more inclined to follow your lead.

2. Be proactive. Set some rules or guidelines regarding your kids diet, and don’t give in always to the path of least resistance.

3. Be a parent, not a friend. Set rules about what they eat and stand by them, no matter how hard they lobby. They need you to look out for their best interest because at an early age they don’t even know what that means.

4. Make sweetened drinks a treat, rather than the norm. This will not only make them appreciate the occasional soft drink, but it gives you yet another tool in your bargaining arsenal.

5. Dilute sweetened drinks down. Adding water to sweetened beverages will cut down on calories while giving them the impression that they are having a treat. You will also be training their palates to less accustomed to their intense sweetness.

6. Set precedents. Once you start serving sweetened drinks, it’s that much harder to go back. So start giving them water early on, so they’ll come to expect it.

7. Be on the same page with other adults. Talk to friends and other family members who interact with your kids what you feel is appropriate. They should understand, and sometimes all it takes is letting them know.

It is important to bear in mind that being a parent means not only providing for your kids, but guiding them through life and helping them make the right decisions. Proper dietary choices are a large part of that.

I encounter many parents who regret the fact that their children consume too many sweets (or watch too much TV), when in fact it is well within their power, if not their duty, to play a significant role in their children’s lives, especially where their health is concerned. Parents should not see themselves as being powerless. Sure, it’s not necessarily easy, but making sound healthy choices will pay off in many ways in the long run.