Healthy Beverage and Sodium Reduction Initiative

Healthy Beverage and Sodium Reduction Initiative

The REACH Project’s Healthy Beverage & Sodium Reduction Initiative works with organizations across the city of Boston to promote adoption of voluntary policies and practices that will increase access to healthy beverages and low sodium foods. Sugary beverages like soda, fruit drinks, sweetened teas and coffees, energy and sports drinks, and sweetened milk/milk alternatives contain added sugars that contribute empty calories. This results in excess calories without healthful nutrients or a feeling of fullness, and an increased risk of obesity and other chronic diseases. For more information on the negative health effects of sugary beverages, please visit Sugar Smarts (in English) or Azucar Sabia (en Español). Sodium, a component of salt, is a mineral linked to hypertension (or high blood pressure), heart disease, and stroke. Reading food labels carefully, selecting low-sodium foods, and cooking with herbs and spices instead of table salt are simple ways to decrease sodium intake. For more information on sodium and steps to reduce your sodium intake, visit Swap the Salt (in English) or Deja La Sal (en Español). Organizations are encouraged to establish workplace policies around healthier food and beverage options by adopting procurement standards, implementing sales and retail strategies that promote healthy items, and enhancing access to tap water. The work of the Healthy Beverage & Sodium Reduction Initiative spans the following sectors: Community-based organizations Community Health Centers Early child care programs Elder meal service providers Faith-based organizations Homeless Service Providers Hospitals Supermarkets Youth Organizations For information on how your organization can implement healthy food and beverage policies, please see the resources below. Healthy Beverage Resources Fast Map: Action Steps for Improving Healthy Beverages at Your Organization Fast Map: Action Steps for Improving Healthy Beverages at Your Youth Organization Fast Map: Action Steps for Improving Healthy Beverages at Your YMCA Fast Map: Action Steps for Improving Healthy Beverages at Your Health Care Site Vending Fast Map: Action Steps for Improving Healthy Beverages at Your Hospital Healthy Beverage Recipe Booklet, English & Spanish Healthy Beverage Toolkit List of "Green/Drink Plenty" Beverages List of "Yellow/Drink Occasionally" Beverages Rethink Your Drink Brochure & Poster For healthy beverage signage, please visit Sugar Smarts (English) or Azucar Sabia (Spanish) Water Access Resources Fast Map: Action Steps for Improving Water Access at Your Organization Fast Map: Action Steps for Improving Water Access at Your Hospital Fast Map: Action Steps for Improving Water Access at Your YMCA Clean Water Dispenser Notice Water Dispenser Cleaning & Sanitation Schedule Water Dispenser Sanitation Guidelines & Guide to Choosing Tap Water Dispensers Water Tip Sheet, English & Spanish Sodium Reduction Resources Fast Map: Action Steps for Reducing Sodium in Vending at Your Organization Fast Map: Action Steps for Reducing Sodium in Vending at Your Youth Organization Vending Fast Map: Action Steps for Reducing Sodium in Vending at Your Hospital Fast Map: Action Steps for Reducing Sodium in Cafe/Cafeterias at Your Hospital List of "Green/Low Sodium" Snack & Food Items Salt & Heart Health Tip Sheet Take Action: Tips for Reducing Sodium (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole) For sodium reduction signage, please visit Swap the Salt (English) or Deja la Sal (Spanish) Additional Resources Boston Public Health Commission Healthy Food Procurement Guidelines Healthy Beverage & Sodium Reduction Resource Guide Healthy Gatherings Tip Sheet REACH Guide for Writing Healthy Beverage & Sodium Reduction Policies Suggested Healthy Beverage & Sodium Reduction Policies

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