According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sugar-sweetened beverages or sugary drinks are the leading sources of added sugars in our diets. Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages can increase the risk for weight gain/obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart diseases.  Healthy Choices for Your Recovering Body programs conducted by the Clay County Cooperative Extension Service Nutrition Education Program Assistant recommended maximum amount of sugar to consume daily. The local substance use treatment center partnered with the NEP assistant to offer the program to the participations of the center. The classes included not only healthy tips but also included demonstration of heathy recipe and sampling.

Thirty-eight women participated in the program, age ranging from early twenties to early fifties. At the end of the program the participants reported an overall 61% decrease in consumption of soda and 84% made changes to be more active.  Most of the participants was surprised at the amount of sugar they were consuming in their drink choices.