Think About Drinks

Toddlers and pre-schoolers

Think outside the (juice) box

Juice boxes are convenient--but they're not always healthy or low in calories.  Follow these guidelines:

• Choose 100% fruit juices; other types will have added sugar.  Look for those with fiber and calcium.
• Stay within these daily limits: 4-6 ounces per day for ages 1 to 6; 8-12 ounces per day for ages 7 to 18.
• Avoid juices at least 2 hours before meal times.  When kids fill up on juice, they have less room for healthy foods--and they miss our on important vitamins.
• Reduce the juice...slowly.  If your kids are big on juice, mix it with a small amount of water; every few days, use more water and less juice.

'Tweens and teens

Avoid hidden calories and caffeine

• Sports drinks.  In most cases, kids don't require these sugary drinks.  Suggest plain water.
• Oversized sugary drinks.  Many bottled soft drinks actually contain two (or more) servings.  Choose smaller drink sizes.
• Vitamin waters.  These can contain 50 or more calories a serving.  Point kids toward waters that have no calories.
• "Energy" drinks.  Many have more caffeine than colas do.  Talk to your kids about the potential problems with caffeine, such as increased anxiety and sleep problems.
• Sodas of different shade.  Some orange, lemon-lime and vanilla sodas contain caffeine.  Read the labels.
• Gourmet coffee drinks.  These can pack a lot of calories--especially if they have flavorings, whole milk, and whipped cream.  Tell kids about the calorie content of these drinks.

 

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