Coachella Unincorporated » Rethinking Our Drink: Choosing Water

Rethinking Our Drinks: Moving Forward With Moderation

Coachella Unincorporated — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 14:37:23 +0000

On Thursday, October 9, 2014 Coachella Unincorporated staff pledged to give up sugary drinks for one week. As part of their Rethink Your Drink initiative, the Regional Access Project Foundation encourages all Coachella Valley residents to choose water for themselves and their families. Photo: AMBER AMAYA/ Coachella Uninc.

Post 7 October 15, 2014

STAFF / Coachella Uninc.

Johnny Flores / Student Reporter

Today was the final day of no sugary beverages. While I certainly am excited to dive back into the world of sugary drinks, I hope to do so in moderation.

If anything, this week has taught me that you don’t need sugary beverages to function, and in many cases, water will do just fine.

This last week, my family did ask me why I wasn’t drinking any type of sugar-filled beverage during meals. I told them that I was “rethinking” my drink for the entire week, and instead of drinking soda and juice, I would have to make do with just water.

A few days into the week-long challenge, I did feel a little sluggish. However, after a while, my body adapted to the lack of sugary beverages — my mind did not. And I was tempted many times throughout the week.

All in all, I think it is important that young people drink sugary beverages in moderation. It’s a bit of a challenge, but a it is challenge that is worthwhile.

Maria Garcia / Student Reporter

I can only describe today as incredibly tiring. More so than any usual day. A nap felt incredibly refreshing. Today, day 7, wasn’t bad. Although, I probably could have done something better to not feel so tired. I don’t think drinking water would have been entirely helpful, but it may have helped for the most part.

When I first started giving up sugary drinks last week, my parents didn’t really question it. Even my friends didn’t think of it too oddly. Right now, I’ve never felt as refreshed, because although soda can relieve your thirst, it only does so for a certain amount of time.

I think it is important that soda be consumed in moderation because we never know what could happen to our body. I’ll probably end up doing research on the effects of sugary drinks to further my knowledge about things that can happen if you take in large amounts of soda.

Giving up sugary drinks was fun, for the most part,

Editor’s Note: This blog is part of a series on the Rethink Your Drink initiative supported by the Regional Access Project Foundation.

Rethinking Our Drinks: No Sugar At School

Coachella Unincorporated — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 16:18:10 +0000

Post 6 October 14, 2014

STAFF/ Coachella Uninc.

Johnny Flores / Student Reporter

After resisting temptation all day on my day off yesterday, I was able to make it through the entire school day on Tuesday without having an urge to drink any sugary beverages. Maybe, that is because sugary beverages of any kind are not allowed in classrooms. Nonetheless, I was able to make it through the entire day without drinking a sugary beverage. Temptation did arise when I had a college meeting after school at a Starbucks, and I was offered a drink. Seeing many people around me drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes was so heartbreaking. I instead opted for a Venti water, which looks odd in the realm of Starbucks where the size Venti is only used when you really really need that boost of coffee.

Maria Garcia / Student Reporter

I think I’m getting used to not drinking sugary drinks. I do still miss Mocha Frappuccinos, but at the same time, I don’t. I think for the most part, I’m getting used to not really having sugary drinks, but I do miss them somewhat. If I can last this long, I might as well continue. However, I do have a hard time keeping up with self-made promises. I want to see how I continue doing.

Editor’s Note: This blog is part of a series on the Rethink Your Drink initiative supported by the Regional Access Project Foundation.

Rethinking Our Drinks: Not Giving Up

Coachella Unincorporated — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:38:45 +0000

Post 5 October 13, 2014

STAFF/ Coachella Uninc.

Johnny Flores / Student Reporter

Today I had the day off from school, and the temptation to indulge in sugary drinks was more prevalent than ever. Seeing as how I had nothing to do today, I gorged myself with various junk foods. However, none of this with a sugary drink to match. It’s not as great to have a bag of Doritos and not indulge in a soda to match. I do indeed miss sugary drinks, but I’m not going to cheat now. I’ve gotten this far and am not giving up.

Maria Garcia / Student Reporter

Today was day 5 of the week-long challenge, I believe. And it wasn’t too hot outside, so my desire to drink something was less. Although, sometimes I still feel like drinking a giant waterfall, I’ve learned to take in better amounts of water. Maybe because I’m drinking a bit more water, I’m staying awake a bit more even if I’m somewhat tired. I don’t feel any other major differences at this point.

Editor’s Note: This blog is part of a series on the Rethink Your Drink initiative supported by the Regional Access Project Foundation.

Rethinking Our Drinks: Choosing Water

Coachella Unincorporated — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 16:42:03 +0000

Post 4 October 12, 2014

STAFF/ Coachella Uninc.

Maria Garcia / Student Reporter

What is there to say about day four? Well, I found myself drinking more water than I usually drink, and that surprised me a bit. Drinking more water made a little sick too, though. I think I’ll have to rethink how much water I drink at a time.

Amber Amaya / Youth Media Coordinator

I still haven’t had any sugary drinks. But I have been drinking espresso and water — I’m so glad Americanos have zero grams of sugar. I almost slipped up today at Starbucks when I ordered a Vanilla Latte, but I quickly changed my order when I remembered my week-long pledge. I’m proud of students for giving up sugary drinks for a week. They’re all doing so well! We have four more days to go!

Editor’s Note: This blog is part of a series on the Rethink Your Drink initiative supported by the Regional Access Project Foundation.

Rethinking Our Drinks: Taking the SAT without coffee

Coachella Unincorporated — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 16:03:50 +0000

Post 3 October 11, 2014

STAFF/ Coachella Uninc.

Maria Garcia / Student Reporter

Day three was quite an adventure. I spent most of my time reading, and I didn’t pay much attention to much anything else. But there were water bottles near where I was sitting. Not really cold but still something. Hasn’t bothered me much at the moment.

Johnny Flores / Student Reporter

Giving up sugary beverages is becoming increasingly difficult, especially when you go out with friends for food. Nonetheless, I was able to pull through and not break. I do feel a bit more sluggish at times when I know I would opt for a sugary drink to get me going. Such is the case when I got up this morning for the SAT, and I desperately wanted a coffee. Water and some fruit would have to take its place. However, I feel it a bit easier now to give it up altogether then past days. Perhaps my body is slowly becoming used to the lack thereof of sugary drinks and moving on without skipping a beat.

Amber Amaya / Youth Media Coordinator

I’ve been able to make it three days without a sugary coffee or drink. Today, I walked the Desert Cancer Foundations’ Paint El Paseo Pink walk in Palm Desert, so it was easy for me to stay hydrated with water. Choosing to forego sugary drinks hasn’t been too difficult for me, but the week is not over.

Editor’s Note: This blog is part of a series on the Rethink Your Drink initiative supported by the Regional Access Project Foundation.

Rethinking Our Drink: No Ordinary Day

Coachella Unincorporated — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 13:51:13 +0000

Post 2 October 10, 2014

STAFF/ Coachella Uninc.

Ivan Valenzuela / Student Reporter

After my first full day of not having any sugary drinks, I did feel pretty good about myself. I’m a pretty busy guy so I tend to live off of a mix of sweet teas, sugar-filled coffees, and orange juice. It’s a lot of each really.

Unfortunately, I don’t make too much time for water. It’s not as accessible as I’d like it to be, but mostly I just don’t go out of my way for something if it doesn’t satisfy my taste buds. Do I think that water is lame? No, It’s actually quite nice to drink right after I’ve brushed my teeth. Other than that, I only really drink it when I’m tired or when I’m out of sweet tea.

Today though, I decided that I would make better choices, and not just doing my laundry early. I decided to take sugar out of my drinking diet.

On my first day, I switched out my sweet teas with just regular unsweetened iced tea. I made my coffee with only creamer and I cut out the morning sugar-filled orange juice. Most importantly though, I started drinking more water.

So how did I go? It was good I guess. I really like the idea. Unsweetened Iced tea actually taste great, but I’m assuming this is going to take more than a week to really see how this is going to help me. Until then I’ll just keep posting.

Johnny Flores / Student Reporter

I thought it would be easy to give up sugary beverages and boy was I wrong — today felt like no ordinary day.

Everywhere I turned it felt like these beverages were haunting me, wanting me to consume them, waiting. However, I was able to perservere and opt for water instead. However, it was very hard to do so seeing as my parents bought some brand new juice-related products for us to try out. At this point, I’m not sure if I’ll break. Sugary drinks are a nice kick to your day and complement meals very well. I never thought it’d be this hard to give them up

Maria Garcia / Student Reporter

Today was a bit more difficult, especially because in the morning I am used to taking some kind of coffee to school. I was ok, until maybe around lunch because I had a class party and the main drinks were soda and juice. I was a bit worried until our teacher also mentioned there were water bottles. I think I did okay throughout the day. I even made fruit water with an orange that I had at home.

Editor’s Note: This blog is part of a series on the Rethink Your Drink initiative supported by the Regional Access Project Foundation.

Rethinking Our Drinks: Saying “No” To Sugar

Coachella Unincorporated — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:54:14 +0000

Post 1 October 9, 2014

STAFF / Coachella Uninc.

Coachella — “In Riverside County, 42 percent of ninth graders are overweight, yet almost half (47 percent) of high-school-aged (12-17) students report drinking at least one soda or other sugar-sweetened beverage per day. Soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages are the largest sources of added sugar in the American diet, and increasing access to water in place of sugary beverages can help reduce obesity.” – RAP Foundation

For one week, we pledge to cut out all sugary beverages because we want healthy lifestyles for ourselves and for our community.

Do you think we can do it? Will you join us?

Check back each morning to read blog posts from Coachella Unincorporated student reporters, staff members and from the community.

Johnny Flores / Student Reporter

Today was officially my last day of all sugary beverages for an entire week. I don’t think I’m much of a sugary drink person. I’ll drink the occasional soda and juice, but the majority of the time I opt for water. With that being said, my last day went out with a bang. Amber so kindly treated us to Starbucks for our editorial meeting, and the inner hipster in me opted for the limited edition Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. I hadn’t yet had one, and my last pumpkin spice came in November of last year after Black Friday. Boy was it delicious. The combination of pumpkin, vanilla and various spices brings the elusive Starbucks beverage to life. It is truly the pinnacle of coffees. Sadly this was my last sugary beverage for a week. Hopefully, I can restrain myself from buying another pumpkin spice before the week is over — until then, water it is.

Maria Garcia / Student Reporter

After getting home, I was actually kind of thirsty. When I looked inside my refrigerator, all I really saw was juice and Vitamin Waters. I was really thirsty, and I really just wanted something to drink. But as I look further in the refrigerator, I saw two lonely water bottles. Just then, in a way, I was extremely relieved and well, it was fine for that time. I can’t say I’m too excited, though.

Amber Amaya / Youth Media Coordinator

Today, I pledged to not drink sugary beverages for one week. I don’t drink soda, and I typically stay away from juices. But anyone who really knows me, knows my weakness is coffee. This is my achilles heel. I’ll have to be extra careful this week to make sure no sugar sneaks into my coffee. But I think I’ll be alright since an Americano (water and espresso) has zero grams of sugar in it. I did have a Vanilla Latte from Starbucks today, but that was before we made the zero-sugar pledge; it was my last sugary drink. Looking back, I wish I would have chosen my last drink as wisely as Johnny did. He sat in our editorial office, slowly sipping his Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, trying to hold on to the last bit of pumpkiny-goodness his Frappuccino could give him.

(Data and research provided by the Regional Access Project Foundation)

Editor’s Note: This blog is part of a series on the Rethink Your Drink initiative supported by the Regional Access Project Foundation.