Teenagers Do You Have Any Idea What Is Hidden In Your Favorite Drink?

It's never too early for Diet Pepsi at least according to seventeen-year-old Rachel, who pops one open each weekday morning at 7:00 A.M. "I keep cans or 24-ounce bottles in my car for the ride to school, " says the Maryland resident, who downs at least five bottles throughout the day. "I'm obsessed with the taste, and I'm a typical teen girl watching her weight and dieting."

Randee, a seventeen-year-old from Idaho, gulps down 44 ounces (more than three can's worth) of Dr. Pepper with every school lunch for a mid-afternoon energy kick. Randee also feels she makes up for the calories by not eating, as a self-proclaimed Pro-Anorexic Teen. "Last year, I drank three 44-ounce cups a day," she admits.

Alex's beverage of choice, SoBe's No Fear Gold, with its 174 milligrams of caffeine per can, it helps him stay awake at night so that he can study. "I'm an enormous energy-drink junkie! I also stockpile my mini-fridge with Tab," says the Northwestern University freshman.

No matter what time of day, one thing's for certain: Teens love sugar-saturated beverages and caffeine-packed drinks. But what's really in that giant thirst quencher?

If you've just knocked back your second Sprite or Snapple of the day, you've loaded up on extra sugar that may contribute to weight gain. A twelve-ounce can of regular soda contains about ten teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. If you drink four of those a day, that leads to an additional 4,200 calories a week, enough to gain one pound!

I have been asking this question lately, as I speak to so many different teenagers about their daily habits. Usually they say, "Tollie it's not a big deal, it's just a drink". True, however this is the purpose for writing this article. Since, Teens nowadays struggle with a list of body image issues, it's little things we don't think about. Same as an anorexic teen, who only lives on sugar spikes, and the teen who can't lose weight and is always on a diet.

Avid soda fans (both regular and diet drinkers alike) are also at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis later in life, say experts. "Soda has replaced low-fat milk in the American diet for teens, who are in the most important years of their lives for getting calcium for development of peak bone mass," notes Keri Gans, R.D., a New York City-based nutritionist. Recent research also suggests that certain ingredients in cola may be associated with lower bone-mineral density in adult women.

And while substituting soda with your favorite fruit juice or smoothie may seem like a healthy solution, teen diet fact: A twelve-ounce serving of orange or apple juice actually contains more calories than the same amount of cola or sports drink. Now teens dieting, juice can be healthy, but only in small amounts. For instance, at Jamba Juice, a sixteen-ounce cup (the smallest size available) of "Strawberries Wild" is packed with vitamin C, body-friendly fiber, and a whopping 290 calories. Smoothies are often made with a whole-fat yogurt and added juices. So, sure your getting calcium and fruit. But, you can also get extra calories from the sugar, and, in many cases, fat.

Similarly, blended coffee drinks sometimes contain flavored syrups and whole-fat milk that can dramatically boost your calorie intake. And they can come with another not-so-healthy bonus: excessive caffeine. Caffeine increases blood flow to, and pressure on the heart. If you're taking in more than 200 mg [roughly the amount in two cups of coffee] a day, it can lead to insomnia, heart palpitations, high blood pressure-possibly even seizures. Caffeine is extremely addictive and the withdrawal headaches you can get are very painful.

So, what's the best way to start drinking smart? Take it one step at a time. If you're drinking three sodas a day, cut down by one and replace it with water, it's the best drink for you. Plus, don't forget to fuel up with breakfast every morning. Seriously, if your dieting, watching your weight, how are you going to kick your metabolism into gear with out fuel?

It's not coffee that you need to get going; it's breakfast, and not one that is handed through a window. If you can't bear to sacrifice your latte, choose the smallest size, and skip the syrups and whip cream. Think of smoothies as a desert, not a daily beverage, and ask that yours be made with low-fat yogurt or skim milk. And instead of having another glass of super sweet juice, go for fiber-rich fresh fruit. We have an obesity epidemic on our hands, and unhealthy beverages are definitely a part of it. You can have a soda or Starbucks. But remember moderation is the key, and knowing what's entering your body.

Cutting out sugar filled drinks can help overweight teens shed about a pound a month. This is a significant, amount from a drink. Who ever knew a drink could stop you from empowering your greatness for a dream-infused life.