Bledidoc Answers
What does medicine tell us about fruit juice in our children’s diet?

Children can easily drink a lot of juice because juice tastes good. However, too much juice in your child’s diet can contribute to other problems, like poor nutrition, obesity, and tooth decay. (1) 

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) recommends to limit fruit juice to a maximum of 120 ml to 180 ml ( ½ cup to 3/4 cup) for kids between 3 and 6 years old. Parents should not allow their children to carry a cup of fruit throughout the day. (1)

 

Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for and serving juice boxes:

 

  1. Make sure it's pure fruit juice.
  2. Don't let your child sip on the juice box for long periods to prevent tooth decay.
  3. Consider diluting the juice with water.
  4. Make sure juice doesn't entirely drown out your child's interest in drinking milk and water. (2)

 

It is important to highlight that Fruit juice offers no nutritional benefits over whole fruit. Whole fruits also provide fibre and other nutrients. Infants should not be given fruit juice at bedtime, nor as a treatment for dehydration or management of diarrhoea. (3)

 

Dr. Rabih Mostafa

Pediatrician

 1Fruit Juice and Your Child's Diet - HealthyChildren.org
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Fruit-Juice-and-Your-Childs-Diet.aspx
 2Juice Boxes: Tips for Parents - HealthyChildren.org
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Juice-Boxes.aspx
 3Where We Stand: Fruit Juice - HealthyChildren.org
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Where-We-Stand-Fruit-Juice.aspx



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