Select Page

Ready to feel better, look better, be better?

Hydrate to invest in yourself, cut down on sugar, and commit to your health. Imagine the possibilities and reach your potential. Who knows what’s next?

Be ready. Be hydrated. Drink water.

DID YOU KNOW? 

It only takes 2 cans of soda/pop a day to increase your chances of Type 2 Diabetes by 26%. The best way to decrease your chance of Type 2 Diabetes and the other health risks linked to drinking sugar-sweetened beverages is to switch to water.

According to the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, nearly half of all added sugars consumed by people across the country over the age of two come from sugary drinks, and children drink more than 30 gallons, on average, every year. 

p

About Our Message

“Be ready. Be hydrated” is a community-driven positive counter-marketing campaign that aims to lower demand for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), expose the motives of SSB producers and the deceptive marketing tactics they use, highlight the health consequences of sugar-sweetened drinks, and promote healthier alternatives.

Lets Be Real

Companies that make sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) like soda/pop, energy and performance drinks, fruity drinks and sweetened juices aren’t really telling you how much sugar is in their products and the health consequences linked to that sugar. Instead they associate their brands with athleticism, energy, and strength. On top of that, they specifically market to Black and Latinx youth through social marketing, celebrity influencers, prizes, and Hip-Hop culture.

Black and brown youth see more ads about these products than other youth. This leads Black and brown youth to consume more of these beverages and ultimately, overconsume sugar. The extra added sugar leads to many health issues including Type 2 Diabetes.

Let’s get clear on soda and juice.

Lots of drinks are sweetened with sugar. Soda/pop, whether clear or dark all have about the same level of sugar and no soda is healthy. But, they aren’t the only one. Some drinks that are marketed as “healthy” are unhealthy too: energy drinks, sports/performance drinks, fruity drinks and sweetened juices, and even some flavored water also add way too much sugar to our bodies and minds.

For example, one serving (8 ounces) of FUZE Fusions Berry Punch has 24 total grams of sugar. Of that, 20 grams (4 teaspoons) is added sugar (sweetener that does not come naturally from fruit). That’s about half of the American Heart Association’s daily recommended amount of added sugar. One serving of a 12 ounce can of Sprite has 38 grams (almost 8 teaspoons) of added sugar. That’s almost your entire daily recommended amount of added sugar!

Remember, when it comes to being ready and being hydrated- water is best.

Learn more about hidden sugar

Be aware of deceptive advertising and marketing tactics.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) is any beverage sweetened with sugar. These beverages can be sweetened with cane sugar, honey, corn syrup, fructose, glucose, or even high-fructose corn syrup.

This means a drink could claim to be “all natural” and market itself as if it is healthy but still include added sugar.

Learn more about taxing SSBs

In Seattle, there is a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages at 1.75 cents per ounce (so a 12-oz can of soda would cost an additional 21 cents). The types of beverages that are taxed are: regular sodas, fruit drinks, energy and sports drinks, sweetened waters, sweetened coffees and teas, as well as syrups and concentrates.

The following beverages are not included in the tax: diet drinks, bottled water, 100% juice, milk, powders and concentrates mixed by the end consumers, beverages for medical use, infant or baby formula, and alcoholic beverages.

The revenue generated from the Sweetened Beverage Tax is used to support and expand programs that address food access as well as child health and early learning.

How much sugar should I have?

Learn more about surgary drinks

According to the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, nearly half of all added sugars consumed by people across the country over the age of two come from sugary drinks, and children drink more than 30 gallons, on average, every year. 

Recommended daily amount of sugar from the American Heart Association: 9 teaspoons

  • 6 oz pouch of fruit drink (Capri Sun single serve): 7 tsp
  • 8.3 oz can of energy drink (Red Bull): 7 tsp
  • 12 oz can of soda: 10 tsp
  • 20 oz. bottle of sweetened water (Vitamin Water): 8 tsp
  • 20 oz bottle of soda (Mountain Dew): 19 tsp
  • 32 oz. bottle of fruit drink (Gatorade): 14 tsp

http://www.acphd.org/media/479218/how-much-sugar-are-you-drinking.pdf

HEALTH RISKS

The best way to decrease your chance of Type 2 Diabetes and the other health risks that are associated with consuming sugar-sweetened beverages is to switch to water.

TYPE 2 DIABETES

It only takes 2 cans of soda a day to increase your chances of Type 2 Diabetes by 26%.

OTHER RISKS

Other health risks related to drinking too much sugary drinks and not enough water include: weight gain, tooth decay, kidney disease, high blood pressure, trouble concentrating, feeling shaky or jittery, and dehydration. 

EDUCATE AND SHARE

Community-driven campaign

“Be Ready. Be Hydrated.” is a public awareness and counter-marketing campaign by community and for community. This community-driven campaign came together with help from local community-based organizations (The Coalition) and a power group of young Seattle-area residents (Creative Change Leaders).

Our hope is that this positive community-driven campaign will lower demand for sugar-sweetened beverages, expose the motives of SSB producers and the deceptive marketing tactics they use, highlight the health consequences of sugar-sweetened drinks, and promote healthier alternatives.

The Creative Change Leaders are 10 Seattle-area young people who took on the task of developing this campaign. They worked with The Coalition to develop the themes, artwork, and music for this campaign. The Creative Change Leaders not only represent Seattle but also the communities SSB companies target in their marketing and advertisements.

The Coalition

The Coalition is a multicultural group of entities working in coordination with the City of Seattle and the SBT Community Advisory Board to raise awareness of the negative health effects of sugar sweetened beverages and industry manipulation of consumers, elevate alternatives to sugar-sweetened beverages, and establish a distinct counter-marketing campaign brand and outreach campaign. Coalition members include The Service Board (tSB), Latino Community Fund (LCF), Black Stax, and Hip Hop is Green (HHG). Coalition efforts are supported and coordinated by The Vida Agency.