Juice, Your Child and Good Health

If you are looking to promote good health and wellness in your children then introduce them to the fruity flavors of juice, the sidekick that can help protect against ill health. Fruits contain a wide range of vitamins, minerals and fiber which experts agree are necessary for good health especially in growing bodies. A good source of antioxidants, immune boosting and health protecting qualities, it is easy to give your child a dose of good health with a box or glass of fruit juice.
With all the fruity goodness on supermarket shelves, how do you navigate safely through the juice maze? Be sure to read and understand your labels.

• 100% Juices are either squeezed directly from the fruit or pulp, or made from juice concentrate and are then reconstituted with water. No sugars or artificial sweeteners are added and there are both single fruit and mixed fruit combinations to choose from.
• Juice Drinks are made by combining juice with other ingredients. While this type of beverage contains less than 100% fruit juice, it typically contains the same amount of calories per serving as 100% fruit juice and still serves as a good source of varying percentages of vital vitamins and minerals.
• Serving Size refers to the amount of servings contained in one package. For example a 200ml or 250ml juice is sufficient for a single serving however a 1litre carton will provide multiple servings. The nutritional facts on a carton refer to the nutritional values per serving.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), while there are many known dangers to your child’s health, juice does not have to be one of them. As with anything, overindulgence can lead to illness so while juice is a crucial component for good health, drinking too much of it may pose a health risk.

The AAP recommends that infants under the age of 6 months old should not be given juice unless being recommended in small amounts as a treatment for constipation. Infants between the ages of 6 and 12 months according to the AAP, can safely drink up to 4-6 ounces of juice a day in a cup while children aged 1 to 6 years should have 4-6 ounces per day. For children aged 7 and older, the AAP recommends a limit of 8-12 ounces a day.