A baby’s proper growth and health are of utmost priority to any parent. We strive to do our best for them, and this includes food. But babies may not always eat what we offer them. They don’t get attracted so much to home-cooked meals as they are to packaged juices. This makes us wonder if packaged juices are a decent option? Can you give packaged juices to your baby since they seem to love them so much?
The product packaging, labelling, and advertising for most packaged juices seem to indicate that they are healthy and full of added vitamins. But how authentic is this information? Can such juices be given to babies, and if yes, in what quantities? This article answers all these questions and many more.
In This Article
- What Are Packaged Juices?
- When Can You Give Packaged Juices to Your Baby?
- Are Packaged Juices Harmful to Your Baby?
- Key Points to Consider When Feeding Juice to Your Baby
- Top 15 Fresh Juices You Can Give to Your Baby
- FAQ’s
What Are Packaged Juices?
Packaged juices are readily available in the supermarkets and labelled as 100% fresh fruit juices. While it is glamorous to look at the health-packed juices, the sugary coating has a few more things to be noted down the line before choosing them over fresh juices.
Remember that the 100% fresh fruit juices you see in supermarkets are highly processed. So, the remaining nutrients will be minimal at the end of all the processing. All the added sugars create more health issues for your little one. Preservatives and chemicals add to the list of disadvantages.
Think about how you make fruit juices at home? – Wash the fruit, cut it, and squeeze it, and your juice is ready. When it comes to packaged juices – Wash the fruits, cut them, squeeze them, remove the oxygen, and use artificial flavors to flavor the juice and pack them.
The oxygen is removed from the fruit so the juice can stay fresh for more than a year. This makes the packaged juice artificial even if the label says, “no artificial colors or preservatives added.”
Even the highest quality packaged juice, which says, “100% fruits, no artificial flavors added”, is not as same as the original state. So, think about the low-quality ones. Aren’t they just a high volume of sugary water?
When Can You Give Packaged Juices to Your Baby?
It is not surprising to know that the Indian Academy of Pediatrics has suggested that children under the age of two years should not be given fruit juices – either fresh or packaged. This is because they contain more calories and sugar, which are not required for babies or toddlers.
Further, several pediatrics in the country have also given timelines and conditions for drinking fresh juices. The following are some of the points worth noting.
- Children between two to eighteen should be strictly prohibited from consuming canned fruit juices, drinks, and beverages high in sugar content.
- If the situation permits them to drink, they should limit the portion to 125ml per day for children aged between two to five years and 250 ml per day for those who are more than 5 years.
Are Packaged Juices Harmful to Your Baby?
Yes. Packaged Juice can be very harmful to your baby. Here are a few reasons.
- Packaged juices contain a lot of sugar, as much as carbonated drinks. This may lead to the consumption of unnecessary sugar and may also lead to tooth decay. Try to give only milk – breast milk or formula.
- Further, if excessive juices are given to babies, it may lead to undernourishment. This, as a whole, can affect the baby’s cognitive skills and other developments.
- The juice has less fiber content than the fruit itself. Further, the pasteurization process kills the nutrients in the fruits. A lot of sugar is added to give it a sweetening flavor. Encourage your child to eat the fruit rather than the juice.
- Packaged juice also contributes to a significant obesity in children.
Key Points to Consider When Feeding Juice to Your Baby
If you are planning to feed juice to your little one, make sure to keep the following points in mind.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has suggested that fruit juices do not provide any nutrition to children under one year of age. Juice should not be a part of their diet. So, if your little one is younger than 1 year, consider giving only milk.
- The AAP has also given guidelines for the quantity to be consumed.
- Toddlers between 1 to 3 years – Less than 4 Ounces every day
- Young children between 4 to 6 years – Less than 6 ounces every day.
- Children between 7 to 18 years – Less than 8 Ounces every day
A few additional points.
- Try to opt for 100% fresh juice as far as possible.
- If going for packaged juice, pick pasteurized products to ensure no bacterial contamination.
- Do not give juice in a bottle or sippy cup, always offer them in a cup or glass.
- Never give the juice at bedtime as this may damage their teeth.
- Talk to your doctor before giving fruit juices during dehydration.
- Keep a specific time for drinking juice. Do not let your child have a sip all day long. Do not give them a bottle or sippy cup. Offer them in an open cup.
- If you are preparing the fruit juice at home, make sure you select only fresh fruits and vegetables.
- The child’s digestive system is still growing and not mature enough to digest different fruits and vegetable juices. So, try introducing only one fruit or vegetable in a week. Too many
- juices would affect their digestive tract.
- Look out for any allergies that may pop up.
- Serve the juices at room temperature. Do not offer cooled juices.
- Serve the juice immediately after you make it. Do not leave them for more than 10 to 15 minutes. Leaving the prepared juice for a long time may lead to unnecessary bacteria.
Top 15 Fresh Juices You Can Give to Your Baby
The following are some of the best vegetables and fruits that can be given to babies. Remember to wait till your baby is older than a year before giving these to your munchkin.
- Stewed boiled apple juice
- Tender coconut
- Grape juice (raw)
- Muskmelon juice (raw)
- Watermelon juice (raw)
- Boiled carrot juice
- Orange juice (raw)
- Boiled tomato juice
- Sapota juice (raw)
- Boiled pear juice
- Boiled peach juice
- Papaya juice (best avoided during summers)
- Banana juice (raw)
- Lychee juice (raw)
- Mango juice (raw)
Always introduce the vegetables in boiled form. Once the baby becomes comfortable with the food, you can introduce the combination of two or more vegetables and fruits – for example, Apple and carrot, apple and banana. The Orange and grape juices are rich in Vitamin C and can protect children from cold and flu.
So, to sum up, can you give packaged juices to your baby? Definitely not at least until they turn one year old. Even toddlers must be given juices in moderation as it can fill the stomach quickly and lead to malnourishment. If you feel that your kid is falling below the growth curve as a result of drinking juices excessively, you may need to see the pediatrician for a further course of action.
FAQ’s
1. Are Packaged Juices Pasteurized?
Yes. Most of the packaged juices are pasteurized. They are pasteurized to ensure that the juices are fit for consumption.
2. Can Juice Hurt my Baby?
Certainly. For babies who are less than one year old, the digestive tract is still growing. Juices can harm their digestive system and cause diarrhea.
3. Can You Give a Baby Fresh Juice?
No, you cannot give a baby fresh juice at least until they are a year old. Beyond that, talk to your pediatrician before giving juices to your toddler.
