Back in 2015 a new health campaign launched encouraging Victorians to swap sugary drinks for water for 30 days – here at Dobson Dental we want a relaunch!
The aim of this campaign was to show that a small change can start to make a difference to your waistline, wallet and your smile. This campaign was given the name ‘The H30 Challenge’, VicHealth asked people to make a 30- day pledge to replace every sugary drink whether it be flavoured water, sports drinks, energy drinks, cordial, cola or juice with the good stuff, plain still water. VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter, said the H30 Challenge is a remarkably simple way to improve health.

“This is about making small lifestyle changes that will benefit Victorians long-term,” Ms Rechter said.

Sugar sweetened beverages are the largest source of sugars in the Australian diet and high intake of these sugary drinks are associated with poorer health outcomes, such as increased risk of weight gain and increased risk of tooth decay.

With nearly two-thirds of Victorians currently overweight or obese, reducing intake of excess kilojoules through drinks is one way to promote a healthier diet and improved health.

While we encourage all Victorians to drink more water, there is a particular focus on 18 to 34 year-olds, who are some of the highest consumers of sugary drinks.

“Participants may be surprised at just how much sugar these drinks contain. One 600mL bottle of regular soft drink can contain 16 teaspoons of sugar. So if you drink one a day, that’s almost 23 kilograms of sugar a year,” Ms Rechter added.

Nutritionist Lola Berry is lending her support to the campaign. She says the 30-day H30 Challenge is a great way for people to take small steps towards stamping out harmful habits formed over a lifetime.

Making water your main drink of choice is one of the best things a person can do for good long-term health,” Ms Berry said.
“Reducing sugary drinks and drinking more water helps to maintain a healthy weight, thereby reducing the risk of type-2 diabetes and other serious health conditions. Drinking water is also a no-brainer for fighting tooth decay, especially considering most of Victoria’s tap water contains fluoride. Another bonus is that drinking water can also save you money.”

Here at Dobson Dental we would love everyone to give this a go, it’ll be easier than you think – we promise. Sign up online at www.h30challenge.com.au, choose a start date convenient to you, switch sugary drinks for water for 30 days and then start reaping those rewards. It’s a win/win situation, they even send you regular e-mails of encouragement. Or if you don’t fancy signing up, maybe you think 30 days is too long for you in particular, why don’t you try 10 days? Then the following month 20 days etc. Why don’t you get your whole workforce involved and feel healthier as a team?

For more information or to sign up visit www.h30challenge.com.au

References

Victorian Dentist – December 2015
www.vichealth.vic.gov.au
www.mysportslink.net