Resources
Parents & Carers
Helpful facts, easy tips and fun ideas to help you and your family choose water!
Our helpful tips, facts and budget calculators will provide you with valuable information and resources.
These resources are created to supplement the Thirsty? Choose Water! program in secondary schools and are created for Year 7 and 8 students (young adolescents).
Please take a look around and encourage your kids to visit too – they’ll find a fun and educational game and other cool features.
LET'S GET STARTED!
Tips and ideas
Inspire healthy changes in the home with these tips and ideas to help your kids drink water.
Be informed, know the score!
What is a sugary drink?
Sugary drinks refers to non-alcoholic water-based beverages with added sugar, including sugar-sweetened soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit drink, sports drinks and cordial.
Did you know?
A 375ml can of sugary soft drink contains around 10 teaspoons of sugar.
Did you know?
A 375ml can of sugary soft drink contains the approximate kilojoule equivalent of two scoops of ice cream or a doughnut.
Did you know?
Children may not know that we take in energy (kilojoules) through drinks as well as food. They may drink a lot of kilojoules without realising it.
Choose water
Choosing to drink water can help children and adolescents maintain a healthy weight, face fewer dental issues, and improve their focus and concentration in the classroom.
Daily fluid needs
Individual fluid requirements can vary according to many factors, including age, gender, physical activity levels and climate. See our fact sheet for more information.
Calculate how much sugary drinks are costing you
Just think about how much money you’ll save if you switch to water.
Choose water and you can start planning for a healthier and wealthier future!
Move the sliders below to calculate how much drinks have cost you.
Mythbusting
MYTH
Added sugar is easy to spot on food labels
False!
There are more than 40 names for added sugar that may be on food labels and they can be tricky to spot. Reading the ingredients list can help you to identify them. Learn more here.
MYTH
Sugary drinks are an essential part of a healthy eating pattern
False!
Sugary drinks such as soft drinks are often high in added sugars and provide little nutritional value. They can contribute many kilojoules and may take the place of nutritious drinks, like reduced fat milk. Learn more here.
MYTH
Drinking fruit juice is the same nutritionally as eating a piece of fruit
False!
Whole fruit contains lots of vitamins, minerals and fibre, which makes it more filling than fruit juice. Fruit juices often have less fibre than whole fruit and can have sugar added. Learn more here.
MYTH
Bottled water is the same as tap water
False!
Bottled water often doesn’t contain fluoride, which is added to most Australian tap water and can help strengthen teeth. Plus, drinking tap water is inexpensive, safe in most areas of Australia and can help save plastic bottles from landfill! Learn more here.
MYTH
Sports drinks are always necessary for sport
False!
Whilst sports drinks can be useful during sport and exercise under certain circumstances to deliver fluid, carbohydrate (sugar) and salt to the body, they are not always needed. They are high in sugar and often don’t provide essential nutrients so are not encouraged for general drinking. Learn more here.
MYTH
Everyone needs to drink the same amount of fluid each day
False!
Individual fluid requirements vary and are affected by many factors including age, gender, levels of physical activity and climate. For a guide on how much fluid to drink, go to Eat For Health.
Get fundraising!
We know that it’s easier for kids to choose water at school if there is chilled water available.
If your children don’t have access to a chilled water station at school, download our Fundraising Pack that’s packed full of ideas and has everything you need to plan a fundraising campaign to purchase and install a chilled water station at your school.
Useful links for more information
All Thirsty? Choose Water! content and materials are designed to provide general information only and are not intended as medical advice. For individually-tailored advice, consult your doctor or health professional.