Swap sugary drinks for water

Posted on 6 Apr 2017

Please note: this is an old article

It was published in April 2017, so the information may be out-of-date.

Greater Shepparton City Council has teamed up with health promotion foundation VicHealth and Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative to encourage local residents to sign up for the H30 Challenge and improve their health.

VicHealth’s H30 Challenge encourages Victorians to make a simple 30-day pledge to replace every sugary drink they would normally drink, with water.

Greater Shepparton City Council is one of 18 Councils VicHealth is working with this year to promote the challenge.

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said, “The H30 Challenge costs nothing and could make a big impact on your life. A regular 600mL bottle of soft drink contains about 16 teaspoons of sugar and there are around 11 teaspoons of sugar in a sports drink. You wouldn’t put this much of sugar in your morning coffee yet many people are unknowingly consuming such high amounts on a daily basis. With nearly two-thirds of Victorians currently overweight or obese, reducing intake of excess kilojoules through sugary drinks is one way to promote a healthier diet and improve health, prevent tooth decay and save money.”

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Dinny Adem and Cr Fern Summer are encouraging all community members and workplaces to join them and fellow councillors to sign-up for the H30 Challenge and switch sugary drinks to water.

By joining the H30 Challenge you can track our City’s progress to see the amount of kilojoules saved, money saved and teaspoons of sugar consumed during the challenge via the website.

To sign up, go to www.h30challenge.com.au/lga/shepparton and receive email updates, texts messages, tips, tools and helpful advice to keep you motivated.

Article curtesy of the Shepparton Adviser from 5 April 2017. Photo by Nicholise Garner.