Beverages as Part of a Healthy, Balanced Diet

Beverages are an important part of a healthy, balanced diet: they provide hydration, quench thirst and can deliver energy, essential vitamins and minerals. Beverages complement the foods we eat and, consumed responsibly, are a needed component of a balanced diet. In fact, many of the beverage industry’s products, including bottled waters, juices, sports drinks, teas, milk and diet soft drinks can be catalysts to health and fitness.

– The industry has hundreds of low- or no-calorie beverage options in the MN, as well as a variety of portion sizes;

– Several new sweatners are being used;

– Unveiled Coca-Cola Freestyle, a new fountain dispenser that allows consumers to choose from 100 beverage choices- 60 of which are low- or no-calorie and 68 of which are caffeine free.

– New packaging size limiting the amount of calories will help consumers manage their portions and calorie intake.

Getting Plenty of Exercise

While beverages and food play a role in determining good health, so do other factors.  In fact, it is generally accepted that obesity involves three main factors: genetics, diet, and exercise.  In recognition of the importance for proper balance and getting plenty of exercise, the beverage industry sponsors and participates in community fitness programs and school sports and fitness programs.

BLEND- St. Cloud Area Program

BLEND is a community based program in the St. Cloud focusing on nutrition and exercise.  Bernick’s Beverages and Vending is a major sponsor of this great program. Bernick’s made a financial contribution of $10,000 in 2009, provided healthy beverages for activities and events, made banners for the Bike Parade, and Jason Bernick has served on the Nutrition Committee of BLEND for several years.  For more detail check out their website:  www.blendcentralmn.org.

General Well-being

Another example of our commitment to well being programs, is Coca-Cola’s placing the heart health symbol on more than six billion packages of Diet Coke as part of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s The Heart Truth program to encourage women to seek more information about ways to improve their health.