ORLANDO, Fla. – When it comes to what kids will eat, they can sometimes be picky.
Now doctors are reminding parents to be picky about what the kids can drink. They say the healthiest beverages for kids are water and organic whole milk. The latest study from the American Academy of Pediatrics stresses limiting children’s intake of juices or other drinks and focusing on mainly water and milk.
Studies revealed a big portion of kids’ intake of added sugars comes from soda and sports drinks. They added that this high intake of sugary beverages not only contributes to their risk for obesity, but dental issues and diet-related illness, such as diabetes.
Doctors say juice is okay occasionally but should be limited to 100% juice and no more than 4 ounces.
Dr. Gayathri Kapoor, pediatrician with Orlando Health, said beverages outside of milk and water are not recommended for kids for several problematic reasons, whether it’s sugar content or artificial sweeteners, additives or caffeine. Even though the recommendations allow limited, 4-ounce servings of “100%” juice only, she said it’s still not the healthiest option.
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“It quickly brings up your blood sugar and then there’s a big crash,” she sad.” This can leave kids feeling tired, it can affect your sleep quality. And kids that take energy drinks or caffeinated beverages, it can cause poor sleep quality or higher blood pressure. So I think we underestimate the effects of these kinds of drinks.”
“Parents have good intentions,” Dr. Kapoor said. “They want to give their kids the vitamins and the minerals that come in fruits, but rather than the fruit juice, I think it’s really important to give them the fresh, whole, unprocessed fruit or vegetable.”
For more about the study, click here.
To watch the full interview, see the player at the top of this story.