Summer months call for extra hydration, and experts agree that when it comes to quenching thirst, water is the best choice for kids.
But, a recent study says many kids don't drink enough H20.
"They were looking at fluid consumption, and particularly water consumption in adolescents ages 2 to 19, and basically, what they found is that kids who are drinking sugar-sweetened beverages are consuming about a hundred more calories a day," said Diana Schnee, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic Children's.
Schnee did not take part in the study but says it found those who didn't drink enough water often drank more sugar-sweetened beverages instead.
Researchers surveyed more than 8,000 youth and found as many as one in five adolescents and teenagers drank no water at all on any given day.
Drinking no water was associated with drinking more sugar-sweetened beverages and consuming significantly more calories than kids who drank water.
Schnee said kids often drink more sugary beverages in the summer months, because schedules are not as consistent, and less structure can lead to less oversight on what kids are consuming.
She says in addition to extra calories, kids who don't drink enough water will not function well and will feel fatigued and run the risk of becoming dehydrated.
On top of drinking water, she recommends offering foods with high water content.
"Make sure that your child always has water on them and something that they will drink," Schnee said. "And if they're not as great at drinking water, make sure that they have those high water content snacks available – things like the fruits, the vegetables or some homemade popsicles."
If your child doesn't like plain water, experts suggest making naturally infused water with frozen fruit, cucumbers, lemons, and limes to give the water a little flavor, without adding any sugar to it.