What Your Kids Should Drink Instead of Sugary Fruit Juices

Are you struggling to get your child to drink anything other than juice? You are not alone! Many parents worry about giving their children too much sugar through these beverages. Instead of juice, try giving your children one of these drink options.

Water

Of course, the best drink option that your child (or you) can choose to fuel your body is water. Having an adequate water supply in your body is essential for every basic function, and keeps you looking and feeling your best. In general, it is recommended that you consume half your body weight in ounces of water every day. For example: if your child weighs 80 pounds, you should be drinking 40 oz, or roughly 5 cups of water every day. Normally, people drink far too little water and end up suffering from some of the symptoms of dehydration. Making sure that your child gets enough water every day can help them sleep better at night, maintain a healthy weight, and achieve greater overall health.

Milk

Milk is another fantastic healthy drink option for your children. Especially as they’re still growing, milk can provide them with some of the necessary nutrients that help them grow big and strong. One serving of milk provides 30% of your child’s daily calcium value. However, it’s important to note that your body doesn’t need as much milk as it does water. Milk has a much higher fat content than water, and can lead to some issues when too much of it is consumed. In general, the USDA recommends each person drink a maximum of 3 cups of milk every day, or one cup with each meal. The rest of your liquids should be water.

Infused Water

You may know how important drinking water is, but that doesn’t make it any easier to get your kids to drink it. To ease them into drinking more water, consider infusing it with some fresh fruit and herbs. Adding a few fruit slices to water can make it more appealing to kids, and get them to drink it. Citrus and berries are some of the best fruits to infuse in your water. For herbs, mint is a popular favorite among children. You can also do this in a few different ways. You could freeze fruit and herbs into ice cubes, and place those into your child’s drink. You could also place fresh slices into their water as well. 

Many parents struggle to try to steer their children away from consuming sugary fruit juices. Juice can be a great treat on occasion, but drinking it every day can add a lot of unnecessary sugar to your child’s diet. Instead of juice, try giving your child one of these healthier options instead.

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