Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Childhood Obesity/Is it Okay to Give My Child Juice?

Is it Okay to Give My Child Juice?

Is it Okay to Give My Child Juice?
December 5, 2014
Nick DeBlasio, MD
0 Comments

In my opinion, the best approach is to not offer juice—or any sugary drink for that matter—to your children. There is a huge correlation between weight gain in children and the amount of sugary beverages they consume, including juice.

Sure, it’s okay to give your child juice on a special occasion, but I think it’s best to not make a daily habit of it.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following guidelines for amounts of juice children should drink:

  • No juice in the baby’s first year
  • No more than 4 ounces per day for kids ages 1 to 3
  • 4-6 ounces a day for kids ages 4-6
  • A limit of 8 ounces daily for those ages 7-18

But in my mind, even those amounts seem too generous.

The Problem of Too Much Sugar

Overall, children across the country eat and drink too much sugar. Eliminating juice is one of the easiest ways to reduce it.

Increased sugar consumption is one of the root causes of childhood obesity that leads to a host of physical ailments, including type 2 diabetes, which is at epidemic levels in the U.S.

In addition, excess juice intake can lead to:

  • Diarrhea
  • Poor nutrition
  • Tooth decay

That last one surprises many parents, but based on the kids we see in doctors’ offices, juice is a significant factor in the poor health of kids’ teeth.

Clever marketing has led some parents to think beverages for kids are healthier than they actually are. Even juices that claim to have no sugar added contain “empty calories.”

It’s important to remember that eating actual fruit is much better than drinking juice. The juice itself typically doesn’t contain the fiber and other nutrients that you get from eating the fruit.

What Kids Should Be Drinking Instead

Ideally kids should drink 20 ounces of milk a day and everything else should be water. It’s recommended that children ages 1-2 drink whole milk. Kids older than that should drink skim or 1% milk.

Drinking more than 20 ounces of milk daily can lead to kids feeling full and not wanting to eat their regular diet. That can lead to nutritional issues. Furthermore, the iron in milk is poorly absorbed by the body, so drinking too much milk can actually lead to an iron deficiency anemia.

Beverage choices available to children can be a tricky landscape of sugar, empty calories, and super-sized portions. It’s always best to discuss the issue with your pediatrician for guidance.

Related Articles

Helping Kids with Diabetes Navigate the Holidays
Helping Kids with Diabetes Navigate the Holidays
New Drug Shown to Delay Onset of Type 1 Diabetes
New Drug Shown to Delay Onset of Type 1 Diabetes
The Latest CGMs Provide More Freedom for Kids with Diabetes
The Latest CGMs Provide More Freedom for Kids with Diabetes
Testing Recommended: High Cholesterol Can Occur in Childhood
Testing Recommended: High Cholesterol Can Occur in Childhood
TAGS:
  • diabetes
  • obesity
Dr. Nick DeBlasio

About the author: Nick DeBlasio, MD

Nick DeBlasio, MD, is a pediatrician in the Division of General and Community Pediatrics. His areas of interest include medical education and primary care of underserved children. He is an attending physician at the Pediatric Primary Care Center.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • Learning and Growing
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Pin of the Week
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • The Young & Healthy Podcast
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Subscribe today to our family newsletter for tips, blog posts, podcasts and more.

Subscribe Now

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 1.1k views

  • Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp: A Dangerous Teenage Drink 655 views

  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 586 views

  • Family Finds Heart Care Needed for Complex Condition 513 views

  • How To Increase Calories In Your Underweight Child’s Diet 276 views

  • Tips for Helping Babies Transition to Cow’s Milk 269 views

About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2022 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center