Fizzy drinks in school canteens: should they be there at all?

Fizzy Drinks in School Canteens: Should They Be There at All?

Walk into many Australian school canteens and you'll often find an increasing range of flavoured waters, sparkling juices and fizzy drinks marketed as healthier alternatives to traditional soft drinks.

But are these drinks supporting children's learning and wellbeing at school?

At a parent and carers information session I delivered last week, this exact topic sparked one of the biggest discussions of the evening.

Parents were surprised by what they discovered

Many parents assume that if a drink is sold in a school canteen, and the canteen follows the state healthy canteen guidelines, it must be a healthy option. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case.

Take Glee, for example. A single can contains approximately 7 teaspoons of sugar. While products like these may appear preferable to traditional soft drinks, they can still contribute substantial amounts of sugar to children's diets.

Consuming high amounts of sugar can lead to rapid increases in blood glucose followed by an energy slump. For some children, these fluctuations may influence concentration, mood, behaviour and learning across the school day.

Fruit juice isn't always the answer either

Fruit juice can also be confusing. When fruit is juiced, much of the naturally occurring fibre found in the skin and pulp is removed. Without this fibre, the sugars are absorbed more quickly and become what nutrition experts refer to as 'free sugars'.

Whole fruit remains the preferred option because it delivers fibre alongside vitamins, minerals and plant compounds that support health. If families do choose juice, small serves (around 100ml) of 100% fruit juice can contribute towards daily fruit intake, but not replace whole fruit regularly.

Water wins every time

When it comes to drinks at school, water is still the best choice. Water supports hydration, concentration, memory, mood and physical performance. It is exactly what children need to help them learn, play and thrive throughout the school day.

The power of education

One of the most encouraging moments from the recent parent session was seeing the school principal participate in the discussion. After hearing the information and reflecting on the drinks currently sold through the canteen, the principal agreed it was time for a change.

This is why parent and carer education matters.

When schools create opportunities for parents, carers, teachers and leaders to learn together, something powerful happens: people become empowered to act. They don't need to wait for government policy changes, revisions to school canteen guides or updates to front-of-pack labelling systems.

Schools can choose today to stock foods and drinks that better support student wellbeing. Knowledge leads to action.

Perhaps we're asking the wrong question

Whenever I talk about drinks like Glee, one question inevitably follows: "So what should schools replace it with?"

My response is usually another question: "Why do we feel it is necessary to offer fizzy-style drinks in school canteens at all?"

If the goal of a school canteen is to support children's health, learning and wellbeing, perhaps it's time to reconsider not just which fizzy drink we offer, but whether these products belong in schools in the first place.

Want practical drink ideas for home and school?

Download my FREE Drink Swaps Guide for simple, family-friendly alternatives that support children's energy, learning and wellbeing.

And if you'd love to bring a parent and carers information session to your school, I'd love to hear from you. Whether you're part of a P&C, wellbeing team or simply a passionate parent, together we can start meaningful conversations that create positive change for children.