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So we're trying to cut back on the amount of juice we give both our son and daughter. We usually water down their juice so it still has some flavor to it.
Is there an alternative to juice for kids to drink?
They drink milk and water but it is a struggle to do so.
What else can kids drink that will have some "flavor" to it?
I always have given my kids 100% apple juice. I know it still has a lot of natural sugar, but I figured it was better than "juice drinks" that add sugar. I also figured natural sugar was better than "low sugar" drinks that add chemicals. I don't know. That's just what made sense to me.
We give our children juice that has natural sugar (big difference between that, and artificial sugar). I know that juice like Juicy Juice has low sugar (and makes some kinds with no sugar) but we primarily make fresh squeezed juice (there's some awesome recipes here: Low-Sugar Drinks for Kids | Food | Disney Family.com) or give them 100% orange juice (has about half the amount of sugar as other juices).
We also give our kids Honest Tea Organics drinks (they come in flavors like berry lemonade, grape juice, etc) and have very low sugar. Honest Beverages
Your kids might like some of the flavored seltzer waters or even just plain club soda (not to be confused with tonic water!). They have a nice, refreshing taste without all the sugar.
Our kids were never given juice. They are plain water and milk fiends! I'm sorry I have no idea how to wean them of it. It is rarely offered at our house now, only when we have a party or something...
I like the bubbly water with flavoring idea that springfieldva gave.
You could buy a juice extractor and juice your own fresh natural sugar juice with strawberries, apples ect...... nothing more fresh and natural then that.
So we're trying to cut back on the amount of juice we give both our son and daughter. We usually water down their juice so it still has some flavor to it.
Watering down 100% natural juice with no added sugars is the best alternative.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jedi5
Is there an alternative to juice for kids to drink?
They drink milk and water but it is a struggle to do so.
For water, try squeezing fresh fruit slices into the water. Let them squeeze it themselves so it feels fun for them.
For milk, try flavoring it with sugar free Instant Breakfast mix in chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry. Not as much as the lable says---just enough to give some flavor.
If they are drinking whole milk, it might be too thick and rich for them. Try 2% or 1%.
Have you ever considered a milk alternative like rice milk or almond milk? There are lots of other milk alternatives---even coconut milk.
I've only tried rice milk. It has a fresh, thin, vanilla flavor to it.
All milk alternatives are vitamin enriched just like normal milk so you're not giving up nutritian by trying alternatives.
I wouldn't give them seltzer or club soda. It's best to say away from carbonated drinks as long as possible. But it's a good alternative to soda when they're older.
I would just keep watering it down until they stop complaining about it. Nothing beats plain milk and water health wise. If it isn't available they won't complain and unless they are sick they won't dehydrate themselves.
Or as other people have mentioned, just add a splash of fruit juice or pieces of fruit.
I wouldn't give them seltzer or club soda. It's best to say away fromcarbonated drinks as long as possible. But it's a good alternative to soda when they're older.
Why? My son has been drinking seltzer water since he was in preschool.
He also likes putting a lemon or lime wedge in his plain water (no bubbles).
If you are looking to quench their thirst, give them plain old water. There is not a lot of benefit to drinking even real juice, unless you are making it yourself and leaving the majority of pulp in it, much less juice that has been watered down. I would think twice about teaching the idea that plain water isn't good enough on it's own- that it has to have some kind of flavor in it in order to drink it- the result is usually a need for flavored (only) drinks, whether it be with added sugars or added artificial sweeteners (even more scary to me than sugar!), and the wedges of citrus fruit one might also add to water are actually higher in tooth-decaying acids than most soft drinks.
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