Juice for Kids: Is It Healthy & Which Ones to Choose?

Here are key things to know well-nigh juice for kids, and how to segregate one that will help your kids meet their needs while reducing sugar intake.

Let’s not get it twisted; juice and fruit are not the same. While juice has its place in your child’s lifestyle, it’s no replacement for the real deal. So, get the truth well-nigh juice by using the recommendations and tips below.

Juice vs. Fruit for Kids

Unlike juice, fruit is well-healed in fiber—a nutrient that helps modernize feelings of fullness while contributing to gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and immune health. It moreover helps alimony kids regular, ultimately taking the strain out of the washroom game.

But unfortunately, juice often omits the fruit’s external skin or seeds—home to much-needed webbing and phytonutrients. Remember, phytonutrients contain powerful antioxidants unique to plant-based foods and help modernize overall health and prevent disease.

So, while you don’t need to completely cut all juice from your kiddo’s lifestyle, it should get well-turned with whole supplies options.

When Can a Baby Have Juice?

While juice may finger like a one-stops shop for nutrient-packed hydration, its recommended intake is dependent on your child’s age. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ juice recommendation is that infants under six months of age should stick to human milk or infant formula, keeping juice for the older children.

So, as a unstipulated rule of thumb, juice should be avoided until one year of age (unless clinically indicated).

• Specifically, giving juice surpassing solid foods can transplant their intake of human milk, putting them at risk of lowered intakes of protein, fat, vitamins, iron, calcium, and zinc.
• Once introduced, fruit juice may be used as part of a meal or snack to help reach your kids’ nutritional (and tastebud) needs.
• Aim to segregate fruit over 100% juice whenever possible.
• When offered, juice should not be sipped throughout the day since it can wreak havoc on dental health and may contribute to unneeded weight gain.

When Can Kids Have Juice?

So, the big question is, “how much is too much?” Use the guidelines unelevated to help navigate your child’s juice drinking habits to maximize their growth and development. Remember to double-check convenience items since portions are often much larger than the recommended intake.

• Children 1-3 years old: 4 oz/day, representing half the recommended daily serving of fruit.
• Children 4-6 years old: 4-6 oz/day
• Children 7-18 years old: 8 oz/day

What to Look for When Selecting a Juice Option

The grocery store aisles are getting increasingly saturated with seemingly uncounted options, making the juice selection process seem endless. But, instead of falling victim to marketing ploys or well-flavored claims, trammels out these three tips on how to make the right juice selection for your family.

1. Juice Fortification

If your child doesn’t drink milk or milk substitutes, opt for fortified juice options (they add in the micronutrients). Some brands may fortify their juices with calcium, omega-3, or vitamin D—providing a practical way to reach your family’s nutritional needs.

2. 100% Fruit Juice

While it may finger like semantics, fruit juice and drinks are different. The latter may be heavily diluted with high-fructose corn syrup or other sweeteners, making it an unhealthy option. On the other hand,100% juice gets made strictly from the fruit itself and contains no widow sugars.

3. Portion sizes

When looking for an on-the-go option for your kiddo, segregate juice boxes or pouches that are an towardly portion size for your child’s age. Typical “kid-friendly” options range from 4 to 7 oz, depending on the brand. Is your child’s juice box providing increasingly than the recommended quantity?

Healthy Drinks and Juice for Kids

Changing habits is challenging at any age! But you don’t have to completely cut off your child’s juice supply to contribute to largest health. Remember, everything in moderation!

So, skip the meal or snack time juice drama and trammels out these stress-free ways to partially substitute your child’s juice intake.

JIY

Juice it yourself. Have your children guess how many oranges, lemons, or apples it will take to make 4 oz. of juice. Then wash the fruit, let them help juice, remove any seeds, and measure.

Juicing it yourself takes effort and will minimize overconsumption. Plus, you can discuss the differences in taste from fresh to pre-bought.

Dilute

If your child feels less than satisfied with the recommended serving size of juice, simply dilute their go-to option with water. Don’t worry; it will still taste sweet and satisfying for your main squeeze! Talk well-nigh an easy way for everyone to win. This can moreover encourage unobjectionable hydration on those uneaten hot days.

Water infusions

Is plain ol’ water simply not wearing it for your kiddo? Try infusing it with variegated fruits or vegetables to add a pop of savor without the unwanted sugars.

Experiment with frozen berries, fresh cucumber, or mint to create a savor sensation that satisfies the tastebuds. Finger self-ruling to get your child involved in the preparation process for a fun yet healthy worriedness to do as a family.

Smoothies

Unlike juice, smoothies contain an zillions of webbing from using the whole fruit—providing a nutrient-dense option that helps increase feelings of fullness. Not to mention, smoothies are an easy way to include an variety of color-filled ingredients, including vegetables!

Find your child’s favorite fruit or vegetable combination and simply requite it a tousle with low-fat milk or unsweetened plant-based milk for slurp-worthy nutrition that your child will love!

Next time you’re at the store choosing juice for kids, remember these key tips and ways to make healthy drinks for kids.

The post Juice for Kids: Is It Healthy & Which Ones to Choose? appeared first on SuperKids Nutrition.