Eat Fruit, Not Drink

It’s reasonable to think that juice is healthy as it comes from fruit, but top paediatricians in the US are recommending that juice be banned entirely for babies under age one.

Babies under one year old should not drink fruit juice at all – that’s the latest stance by the American Academy of Pediatrics (one to).

This is the AAP’s first change in recommendations on fruit juice since 2001. Over past years, it advised against offering fruit juice to babies younger than six months old.

The concern is that juice offers no nutritional benefits early in life, and can take the place of what babies really need: breast or formula milk and their protein, fat and minerals like calcium.

“Parents may perceive fruit juice as healthy, but it is not a good substitute for fresh fruit and just packs in more sugar and calories,” says Dr Melvin B. Heyman, paediatric gastroenterologist and co-author of the AAP statement released in May.

“Small amounts in moderation are fine for older kids, but are absolutely unnecessary for children under one.”

So how much juice is appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers?

When consumed as part of a well-balanced diet, the AAP recommends restricting it to 110ml daily for one to three-year-olds, and 170ml a day for four- to six-year-olds.

A sugar shot