Is fruit juice healthy for kids?
That depends. Your best bet for juice is 100% fruit juice. Fruit “drinks” often contain only 10% fruit juice and do not count as real fruit juice. They’re essentially colored water and sugar.
Even 100% fruit juice is full of natural sugars. So when kids are allowed to sip it over time from a bottle or sippy cup, it bathes their teeth in sugar, which can lead to cavities. Too much juice can also cause tummy aches and diarrhea. Plus, when children get in the habit of drinking sweet beverages early in life, it may discourage them from drinking water.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has a policy statement about fruit juice. Here are some of their recommendations:
- Do not give fruit juice to infants younger than six months of age.
- Don’t allow kids to sip juice through the day.
- Limit fruit juice to:
~ 4-6 ounces per day for children 1-6 years old
~ 8-12 ounces per day for children 7-18 years old - Encourage kids to consume whole fruits instead of fruit juice.
Read the whole policy statement here: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;107/5/1210
As a pediatric dietitian, I suggest using 4-ounce juice boxes as a special treat, maybe when you’re on-the-go or at the park for a play date. And if your children drink juice at home, mix it half and half with water and serve with a straw, which helps the sugary liquid bypass the teeth.
And remember, to fill your kids up and give them fiber and natural antioxidants, whole fruit is always a better choice than juice.
Blessings to you,