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By Robin Eisner, ABCNews.com
The American Academy of Pediatricians is telling parents that infants who
drink too much fruit juice may become malnourished
if the beverage replaces human milk or formula.
Children are the largest consumers of fruit juice in the United States
and, experts say, that besides not providing needing nutrients, the
extra calories from the sweet beverage may be contributing to the current
epidemic of childhood obesity.
Sugar in Fruit Juice May Lead to Diarrhea
Fruit juice does not contain a significant amount of protein, fat, minerals
or vitamins, other than Vitamin C, according to the pediatricians.
It does contain carbohydrate, in the form of sugar, which if consumed in
large amounts can result in diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and flatulence.
Although some fruit juices are fortified with calcium to promote healthy
bones and teeth, many do not, the doctors say. In fact, a child holding
a bottle, cup or box of fruit juice in the mouth during the day or at bedtime
may actually be at increased risk for tooth
decay.
Parents, the doctors say, also should be aware some fruit drinks or "cocktails"
do not contain 100 percent fruit juice, but include extra sweeteners, artificial
flavors and other ingredients.
The group is issuing its policy statement about fruit juice consumption
in the current issue of the medical journal Pediatrics.
Juices May Lead to Obesity
Humans were not meant to drink their calories. Liquids like fruit juice,
composed mostly of sugars, are brought rapidly in the body promoting obesity.
Childhood obesity is in epidemic proportions, putting our children at risk
for serious diseases, such as diabetes.
Elizabeth Ward, registered dietitian and author of Healthy Food, Healthy
Families: Feeding Your Child from Birth to Six Years Old, says parents often
view juice as healthy and they think if a little is good, a lot is better.
"But this is misguided for two reasons," says Ward. "Kids tend to drink
more calories than they eat, contributing to the obesity epidemic, because
juice is fiber free and is not filling like whole fruit and because juice
... crowds out milk."
By drinking too much fruit juice, she says, children
are not getting enough calcium and Vitamin D, both of which are
found in milk. In some parts of the country, rickets (or a Vitamin D deficiency)
is on the rise.
American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines on Fruit Juice:
- Fruit juice should not be given to infants younger
than 6 months of age.
- After 6 months, children should not get juice
from bottles or cups that allow them to consume the beverage too easily.
- Infants should not get fruit juice at bedtime.
- Children between 1 and 6 should limit fruit juice
consumption to between four to six ounces per day.
- Children between 7 and 18 should limit fruit
juice consumption to between eight and 12 ounces a day.
- All children should be encouraged to eat whole
fruits.
Pediatrics
Vol. 107 No. 5 May 2001, pp. 1210-1213
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