Health & Life

How Much Fruit Juice Should Children Drink Daily?

Juice is a delicious and convenient way to ensure your children are getting their daily dose of vitamins and minerals. However, it is important to remember that while fruit juice can be a healthy treat, it should be consumed in moderation. As a concerned parent, it is your responsibility to ensure your child's health by regulating their juice intake.

Administrator

2 December, 2024

While fruit juices are often perceived as tasty, digestible, and healthier alternatives to carbonated drinks for children, are they truly as beneficial as expected? And at what age should parents introduce this beverage into their child’s diet? Let’s explore these questions together!

1When is the right time to introduce fruit juice to children?

According to Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung, a prominent nutritionist at the National Institute of Nutrition, fruit juices tend to be low in nutritional value and fiber while being high in natural sugars, which can lead to uncontrolled weight gain in children. Nutritionists generally advise against giving fruit juices to infants. For the first six months of life, breast milk or formula milk provides the safest and most complete nutrition for babies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) shares similar concerns about the prevalence of fruit juice in children’s diets. Due to the established link between fruit juice consumption and obesity and tooth decay in children, the AAP has raised the recommended age for introducing fruit juice from six months to one year old.

When is the right time to introduce fruit juice to children?

2How much fruit juice should children consume daily?

Excessive fruit juice intake can pose several health risks for children. The high sugar content can lead to weight gain, tooth decay, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and gas.

The AAP recommends that children over one year of age should primarily consume milk and water. However, if parents choose to offer fruit juice, they should heed the following guidelines:

Newborns – Under 1 year old: None (except a small amount for constipation relief)
1 – 3 years old: 100ml or less
4 – 6 years old: 180ml
7 – 18 years old: No more than 220ml per day

Instead of fruit juice, encourage your child to eat whole fruits alongside milk or water. Ensure your child has a balanced diet before introducing fruit juice. If your child enjoys juice, consider making fresh juice at home using a blender.

How much fruit juice should children consume daily?

As per Dr. Hung, incorporating fresh fruits into your child’s daily diet is the best way to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients. Fruits provide essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, all of which are crucial for a child’s development. When your child is around eight months old, gradually introduce a variety of fruits and vegetables into their diet.

Dr. Hung recommends offering mashed, pureed, or finely chopped fruits to make it easier for your child to grasp and chew.

Fruits are an essential source of nutrients for your child’s development. Instead of fruit juice, encourage your child to eat whole fruits to ensure they get enough vitamins, minerals, fiber, and complex carbs!

Source: Sức khỏe và Đời sống Newspaper