Healthy Drinks for Kids

Sodas may be convenient, but soft drinks are linked to tooth decay, skin problems, and poor concentration. Plus, they constitute the biggest source of refined sugar in the American diet, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Rather, instill good habits early on by giving your kids these optimal picks.

Water
If you choose just one drink for your child, make it plain water. Naturally sugar free, water replenishes moisture lost in sweat, helps the body eliminate waste, and transports oxygen and nutrients in the bloodstream. Plus, kids who drink water get used to flavorless thirst quenching.

Milk
“Drink your milk” is still good advice. Organic milk is packed with vitamin D and calcium for strong bones, and protein for energy, as well as scores of other nutrients crucial for still-growing bodies. Even if you opt for nondairy alternatives, always choose organic products and ones with no added sugar.

Fruit juice
In moderation, juice supplies kids with beneficial vitamins and minerals. For instance, 8 ounces of fresh-squeezed orange juice contains 25 mg vitamin A, 124 mg vitamin C, and 496 mg potassium. But because it’s also loaded with natural sugars, limit kids to 1 cup of 100 percent fruit juice per day. And avoid “juice drinks,” which can contain a lot of calories but very little actual fruit.

Fizzy drinks
The risk of obesity rockets to 60 percent in kids who drink just one 12-ounce soda per day, and many sodas contain the stimulant caffeine. The biggest reason to nix soft drinks: Sodas–even diet ones–push out better choices because kids will pick them first.

For more information, see Easy Greening: Soft Drinks.

Delicious Living is the go-to resource for the natural and organic lifestyle, helping readers eat well, live green, and stay healthy. Visit deliciouslivingmag.com for more articles and free recipes.

Read more: Food, All recipes, Children, Drinks, , drinks, healthy, kids, snacks, thirst

By Katy Neusteter, Delicious Living

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Lara K.

1:18PM PST on Feb 12, 2012

Kids need to be kids sometimes, but obviously water should be the main way of quenching thirst, and sodas and chocolate milk and other drinks should be treats, like cookies. We are designed to drink water. :)

send a green star

Anne G.

6:05AM PST on Feb 9, 2012

Oh lord, we all know the evils of soda, the "sugar" in fruit juice and whatever people like to say to trod on milk, but really, I have a hard time to admit that fruit juice (mixed with bubbly water for a natural fruit soda) and milk are not good for kids. Water is of course the best, but kids need to be kids and sometimes all this forbidding will boomerang on well meaning parents.

Danuta W.

1:35AM PST on Feb 8, 2012

Thanks for posting .

ii q.

5:45PM PST on Feb 7, 2012

Ann F.

1:02AM PST on Jan 29, 2012

Water is the best and my children and now my grandchildren drink water most of the time and milk ocassionally. Lots of fruit

Amber B.

8:11AM PST on Jan 28, 2012

awesome article!

when I have kids, water is going to be their main drink. I don't drink dairy milk so they will also get almond milk, and some juices. but my child will not grow up having, or even tasting, sodas. if they choose to drink them when they get old enough to make their own choices then that is their choice to make. and when they get old enough to have their own money then if they want them they will have to buy them, because I won't!

Miranda L.

6:58AM PST on Jan 26, 2012

Cows milk is good for cow babies. Human beings don't need to keep drinking milk throughout childhood and into adulthood. Certainly if you're going to drink it, organic is better than not, but the best choice is not to drink it. This continuing use of milk is a factor in childhood obesity.

100% fruit juices can be difficult to digest, and diluting them with water is a good idea, especially for babies and small children.

Berny P.

6:53AM PST on Jan 26, 2012

JUST USE YOUR COMMENT SENSE...YOU DONT HAVE TO RELY ON ARTICLE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOD FOR YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN!

Jennifer C.

7:01AM PDT on Aug 24, 2011

Water ! Excellent article. Thanks for sharing.

Michele W.

7:28AM PDT on Aug 2, 2011

Thank you