High-Calorie Juice Drinks for Toddlers

A toddler fervently sipping from a colorful juice box is a typical site; but with one in five children in the U.S. between the ages of 2 and 5 experiencing a weight problem, it would be wise to swap those high-calorie, sugary drinks for some good, old-fashioned, zero-calorie water. Even juices that are fortified with vitamin C or calcium can prove to be an unhealthy choice for a young child, if they are over-consumed.

  1. Empty Calories

    • While fruit juice, boasting vitamins and minerals, may seem like a healthy choice for a toddler, many of these drinks are high in sugar and low in fiber. Your child would be much better off actually eating fresh apple slices than drinking their namesake in juice form. Apples are crunchy and sweet and contain vitamins, and they have the benefit of being high in fiber, which will make a child feel full longer.

    Baby Tooth Decay

    • Sugary drinks are bad for your toddler̵7;s dental health. Even unsweetened fruit juice is acidic and can cause decay in baby teeth, especially if it is consumed throughout the day in a bottle, or a sippy cup. The American Dental Association recommends that toddlers should be allowed to have juice only at mealtimes, in a free-flowing cup to prevent ̶0;baby bottle tooth decay̶1; ̵1; a type of decay that can destroy a young child̵7;s teeth. The ADA recommends giving your child water between meals instead of sugary juice drinks.

    Childhood Obesity

    • Toddlers who consume sugary drinks are consuming too many calories without curbing hunger. A study done by the Harvard School of Public Health found that nearly 11 percent of the daily caloric intake of U.S. children is from sugary beverages. The Centers for Disease Control finds that fruit juices come with close to 200 calories per 12 fluid ounces and, therefore, recommends substituting low-fat milk, low-calorie drinks or water for sugary juice. You can also water down your child̵7;s juice, to cut calories and carbohydrate content quickly.

    Side Effects

    • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents limit their toddler̵7;s consumption of juice drinks. Toddlers grow accustomed to the sweet taste of sugary juices, and therefore over-consume them. The negative side effects of drinking too much juice can include diarrhea, abdominal distention, energy imbalances, mood swings, weight gain and dental decay issues.

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