In the age of health bars and juicing, many moms think they’re giving babies and children a great start in life by offering them fruit juice. But while it contains most of the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (plant chemicals) found in whole fruit, the fibre is lost, plus fruit juice is high in natural sugars. “Commercial fruit juice can also have added sugars, preservatives and colorants,” says Ballito specialist paediatric dietician Claire McHugh.
Largely for this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2017 changed its recommendations for the first time since 2001. Instead of recommending that moms introduce fruit juice only after six months, it now advises giving no juice at all for the first 12 months – and restricting children to no more than half a cup (120ml) a day from age 1 to 3, three-quarters of a cup (175ml) from age 4 to 6, and a cup a day (250ml) when they’re older. Only 100% fruit juice should be given, with no added sugar, and always diluted with water.
Dr Steven Abrams, chair of pediatrics at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas and an author of the report (published in Pediatrics), said there was “no evidence of any health benefits” from fruit juice in infancy. Rather, it could prevent babies getting sufficient breast milk or formula, and the protein, fats and other nutrients these contain, which are essential for healthy development.
The AAP advises that babies be given breast milk (or formula) alone for the first six months, then rice cereals and whole fruit and vegetables can be introduced as well, mashed or puréed, not juiced.
The new AAP guidelines specifically warn against giving juice in bottles or sippy cups, which encourage drinking more (juice is less filling than whole fruits because it lacks fibre), and can lead to tooth decay and excessive weight gain. A study at the University of Virginia suggests children who regularly consume fruit juice at age 2 have a greater risk of being overweight at age 4.
“It’s important to practise healthy eating habits when young,” says McHugh. “Children need to develop a taste for whole fruits and veggies instead of juice, and get used to drinking only water and milk. And when you do give juice to older children, it should be diluted 1:4 with water.”
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