Juice for toddlers

Should Toddlers Drink Juice?

Toddlers don't need juice 

• The sugar and calories that are in them are the same as soda.  
• They have fewer vitamins than the actual fruits or vegetables, 
  • So, too much juice can cause nutritional deficiencies. 
• Some toddlers take in 60% of their daily calories through juice, 
  • Cutting down their appetite for other foods. 
• Juice can cause diarrhea which can affect their overall nutrition.

If you want to give it, limit them to no more than 3 to 4 ounces of diluted juice––50% juice to 50% water––per day. 

Use 100% juice––not juice drinks that contain sugars, artificial flavorings and colorings. White grape is the most easily digested, but has as much as 50% more sugar than some other juices.

Adapted from Nurturing with Nutrition by Dr. Melanie Bezarte and Lucille Beseler, RDN