Juice for toddlers

Juice for toddlers

We'd prefer you didn't

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Lucille Beseler, RDN

Is co-author of Nurturing with Nutrition and a former president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics representing over 100,000 Nutrition professionals, while also active as a clinical dietitian in South Florida.

Article in collaboration with: Melanie Bazarte, PhD
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

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