Pediatricians have been alerting for some time danger of juices in children's diets. They are not healthy or balanced foods for children or adults, but instead, they are still the most demanded beverage option in many homes.
The American Academy of Pediatrics just published a new report that makes it clear that children under one year old should not drink juices since these "are not part of a healthy and balanced diet". In addition, they should never replace natural fruit.
New recommendations of the AAP according to the child's age
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns that "fruit juice offers no nutritional advantage over whole fruit", so children under one year should not consume it.
- Below six months, the baby should only drink breast milk (or failing that, adapted formulas) and alert to the danger of replacing milk with juice:
- From six to 12 months, the baby can already start eating solid foods, and the fruit should be an important pillar in his diet.
If even so, parents insist on giving juices to their children, pediatricians recommend that they always be offered in a cup (not in bottles or bottles), not letting them drink at night and not exceeding the intake of 118 ml per day.
For children under six years old parents should continue to bet on a juice-free diet, advises the AAP, since as with sugary sodas, "juices can contribute to an energy imbalance due to its high calorie load."
From the age of seven Children should not consume more than 235 ml of juice a day (somewhat less than a standard glass), and always keep in mind that fruit juices and fruit drinks are not the same, so parents should pay special attention attention to the labeling of packaged juices.
Sugar, the main danger of juices
Both the Spanish Association of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization, warn of excessive consumption of sugar in the diet. WHO places in 12 teaspoons of sugar per day (50 grams), the recommended amount for adults and children to eat a healthy diet.
But fruit juices, whether homemade or industrial, have a high sugar content that favors obesity and encourages the appearance of type 2 diabetes
Logically we cannot compare the fruit juices we make at home with the packaged juices. But we must not assume that because they are homemade they will be a healthy option if consumed frequently, since they are loaded with sugar that we also ingest quickly, raising calories and blood sugar levels.
On the other hand, sugar increases calorie intake, reduces or eliminates hunger and prevents the intake of other healthier and nutrient-rich foods that are necessary in the diet.Another of the great problems caused by the sugar in juices are dental caries, since the teeth are continuously exposed to the carbohydrates in the juice, especially if they are ingested through a straw, bottle or bottle.
Cavities can also affect baby teeth, which is why it is so important to avoid offering this type of beverage in early childhood and daily check the oral hygiene of the little ones.
Whole fruit better than juice
Fruit is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. When we crush the fruit, they lose endless nutrients important to our body, apart from the fiber, essential for the proper functioning of the intestinal transit.
If we talk about packaged juices, the nutrients that are lost in the pasteurization process are much higher, in addition to providing a high number of calories that will convert that drink into a food without any nutritional contribution to a child's diet.
With the evidence that fruit juices offer no nutritional advantage over the whole fruit, parents should begin to become more aware.It may be that juices are more attractive to children, but we should not fall for comfort, and encourage them - always from the example - to consume whole fruit as part of their daily diet.
- Photos | iStock
- Via | Lon Angeles Times
- More information | Spanish Association of Pediatrics: Consumption of fruit juices and soft drinks by children and adolescents in Spain. Health implications of its misuse and abuse, WHO Healthy Eating
- In Babies and More | Children still consume too much fruit juice, For your baby's fruit, the whole piece is better, The principle of everything: when the sugar industry continued to believe that the danger was fat, Caries alert: too many children quench their thirst with non-water drinks, Seven ways for children to eat more fruit and vegetables, Ten facts about tooth decay and how to prevent them in children, Why giving sugary drinks to the baby increases the risk of obesity
