Diet & Nutrition: Linda Hsieh

My son loves juice, but a friend of mine says it's just empty calories. Should I limit how much my child drinks?

By Linda Hsieh

Juice is a good source of vitamins, and many varieties are now also fortified with minerals. However, fruit juices are easily overconsumed by young children because the taste is very appealing. Like soda, juice can contribute to excess calories. You can receive the vitamins of fruit juice by eating fresh fruit instead. Experts often encourage the consumption of whole or fresh fruit because it also provides a healthy dose of fiber in the diet.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you not introduce juice into your infants diet before 6 months of age. Until this age, infants can receive complete nutrition from breastmilk or iron-fortified formula. In addition, the Academy recommends that fruit juice be limited to 4 to 6 ounces a day for children ages 1 to 6; for children ages 7 to 18 years old, 2 servings a day are sufficient.

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