The municipality of Rijswijk wants to draw attention to the importance of drinking water and has therefore started the ‘Drinking water campaign’. Councilor Mark Wit (Public Health) therefore visited the Maria School and the Center for Youth and Family (CJG).
Campaign
The municipality of Rijswijk is committed to drinking more water, instead of sugary drinks. It is good to start at a young age, according to the municipality. The sooner children are used to drinking water, the more common it is. As a result, they will also opt for water more often at a later age instead of, for example, cola.
The alderman visited the Mariaschool and talked to students of the student council. One of the students said that he sometimes drinks soft drinks at the weekend, but often more water on a school day. “That really doesn’t have to be boring, because by putting fruit in the water, for example, it does have a nice taste.”
“And that is exactly the message of the drinking water campaign,” the alderman responded. The municipality has therefore also made a recipe book. ‘It contains various recipes to give water a nice taste. A different recipe for every month.
A dietician and a Youth Health Policy Advisor from the GGD Haaglanden were also present at the Maria School. The drinking water campaign was created in collaboration with the GGD. The dietician explained the guideline for drinking water and did a quiz with the students.
At the Center for Youth and Family (CJG) they also pay attention to drinking water. The Youth Health Care, housed in CJG, distributes drinking water bottles to parents during the contact moments of eleven months, together with the recipe booklets. “We have already received many positive reactions from the parents,” says Naomi, youth nurse at JGZ.
Many advantages
Alderman Wit explains that drinking water has many advantages: “Our body consists largely of water. Drinking enough water ensures more concentration and makes you less tired. Drinking water also hydrates the skin and ensures proper functioning of our muscles and kidneys. So it is important for our whole body.”
Children from 1 to 13 years old need about 1 – 1.5 liters of drink per day. The advice for children from 14 years and adults is to drink between 1.5 and 2 liters every day. “It’s fun to discover which flavors you like. For example, try adding orange or strawberries. You might be able to come up with surprising combinations that way,” said the alderman.
February recipe
Do you also want to give a nice taste to your water? February’s recipe has the following ingredients:
– 1 liter water
– Half an apple in slices
– Half a pear in slices
Mash the apple and pear segments a little to release the juice and add them to the water. You can add a stick of cinnamon if you like.
