The Juice Box Controversy

School  will be starting soon and kids from pre-K to college will be thirsty. That's when many parents turn to juice for a way of hydrating their kids.Yet is it a good way of replenishing fluids or will it make them chunk out? Therein lies the problem.

What should parents do?Do they switch the kids cold turkey to spring and sparkling water? Do they mix juice with seltzer or water? As with anything, moderation is the key. Keep it to a minimum as with soda and chocolate milk. They shouldn't lose their interest or taste for water or plain milk. all three beverages should be served in rotation.  Another way to avoid "juice addiction" is waiting to introduce little ones to it. Experts say hold off until the first birthday. Also avoid serving it in a bottle. Keep in mind that strictly drinking juice can cause a host of physical problems. Toddlers may not have the sturdy stomachs as their elder siblings. Imbibing too much can cause diarrhea thanks to fructose in the drink. Another problem is tooth decay. Little ones have a tendency to suck on a sweet tasting straw longer than their older counterparts. This can lead to serious enamel damage in developing teeth.If they have to drink it (meaning if they're on the verge of a tantrum) then let them drink it from a sippy cup.They can take less harmful slugs. Also you can slip in an ice cube or two to dilute the juice.

What about the older ones?The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that toddlers should only get half a cup of juice a day while four to six year olds should only drink half a cup to three quarters of a cup a day. Seven to eighteen years old should just have one cup a day.This is good however older kids have minds of their own and will probably drink  more when they're with friends or playing a sport. There's also the possibility of them drinking sodas, sugary lattes and caffeine laced sports drinks.In this case a box of fruit punch is the lesser of all the evils. One way to make juice more enticing is to cut it with seltzer to create a fizzy soda. Fill half a glass with any flavor, from cranberry to grape and top off with either plain or flavored seltzer. Another healthier idea is buying lower in sugar juices.Many brands like Ocean Spray and Dole offer them along with Stop & Shop. The taste is actually more refresher thanks to the lack of sugar. If the kids still want flavor and fizz , then think about making tea soda. Steep any flavor two teabags overnight. Add cold seltzer in the morning and them flavor with mint or fresh fruits like lemon or strawberries.

Juice boxes are an important component of the school experiences. Make it as healthy as possible with lower sugar juices or added seltzers.They'll feel better as will you.