X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parenting & Play by Friso
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-schooler
    • Kids
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Money Parenting
    • Tips for Parents
    • Tips for Toddlers
    • Tips for Older Kids
    • The 5 Personas
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Doctors Say: No Fruit Juice for Babies Under the Age of One

4 min read
Doctors Say: No Fruit Juice for Babies Under the Age of OneDoctors Say: No Fruit Juice for Babies Under the Age of One

Is fruit juice really healthy for our kids? Here's why experts are tightening fruit juice intake guidelines for children.

Fruit juice is the drink all parents count on — it’s full of nutrients and the kids love it. Unfortunately, you might want to think twice the next time you squeeze out fruit juice to beat the heat in Singapore. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released new fruit juice intake guidelines, advising that the drink isn’t as healthy as most parents believe. They now recommend tougher restrictions for kids of all ages than those set out previously. 

The new report explains that even 100% fruit juice doesn’t equal fresh fruit, as we might think. While fruit juice may contain nutrients like vitamin C and calcium, it lacks the protein and fibre which are important for your children’s growth.

Doctors Say: No Fruit Juice for Babies Under the Age of One

In fact, too much fruit juice might have negative effects on younger kids! Dr Elsie Taveras, commenting on the changes in The Straits Times, said, “We have studies that show infants who drink more juice in that early life period are more likely to go on to drink soda and sugar-containing beverages.”

Here are the new guidelines recommended for parents, broken down by age of child:

Babies from 0-1 years

Children aged one and below should be given no fruit juice, unless advised by doctors for treating constipation.

Previously, the AAP advised zero intake only for babies below 6 months. However since then, research has shown possible links between fruit juice consumption and obesity, as well as dental cavities.  

Though fruit juice can be nutritious, the report states that it has “virtually no role” during your child’s first year. Not only that, those expensive juice products that claim to be designed for infants are “not of value”!

Doctors Say: No Fruit Juice for Babies Under the Age of One

Toddlers aged 1-3 years

Daily intake of 100% juice products should be no more than 4 ounces, or about 118ml.

The researchers warn that for older toddlers, juice should not be sipped throughout the day as we do with water, nor drunk at bedtime. This is because it can over-expose their teeth to the carbohydrates in fruit juice, leading to dental cavities. 

Parents also shouldn’t use it to calm upset children, or to manage diarrheal illnesses. In fact, drinking too much fruit juice can cause diarrhea or abdominal distention. 

Children aged 4-6 years

Daily consumption of 100% fruit juice should be no more than 4-6 ounces, or about 118-177ml. 

Children aged 7-18 years

Daily 100% fruit juice intake should not exceed 8 ounces, or around 236ml. This comprises 1 cup of the daily recommended 2-2½ cups of fruit servings. 

If you’d still like some clarification, here’s a helpful video from the American Academy of Pediatrics that sums up the changes:

Tips for parents

Here are some tips to help you and your family adapt to the new fruit juice intake guidelines!

Replace fruit juice with milk or water — Chilled, low-fat or non-fat milk is a great option to beat the heat. And of course, nothing beats a cup of water for refreshment and re-hydration. 

Turn to fresh fruit — Fresh, whole fruit is packed with fibre and essential in kids’ diets! For infants, you can mash or puree the fruit to make it easy to swallow, or cut into wedges if you are following baby-led weaning. 

Doctors Say: No Fruit Juice for Babies Under the Age of One

Don’t dilute — You might be wondering if you can ‘cheat’ a little on the guidelines by mixing fruit juice with water. Unfortunately, according to the report, diluting doesn’t necessarily decrease the dental health risks to your kids.

Partner Stories
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Is the Spice in Your Life Taking a Toll on Your Tummy?
Is the Spice in Your Life Taking a Toll on Your Tummy?
Read This Before You Enjoy the Satisfaction of Cracking Your Joints!
Read This Before You Enjoy the Satisfaction of Cracking Your Joints!
TAP Reviews: Zuo Yue Confinement Food, Perfect for Recuperating Postpartum Mums
TAP Reviews: Zuo Yue Confinement Food, Perfect for Recuperating Postpartum Mums

Blend, don’t juice — Juicing removes the fiber of the fruit whereas blending retains it! 

Wait an hour to brush — Fruit juice softens the enamel protecting teeth from decay. Wait at least an hour before brushing to let the enamel harden once more. 

ALSO READ: 5 best and worst drinks for thirsty kids

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts and comments with us in the Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from sg.theAsianparent.com!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jolene Hee

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • Doctors Say: No Fruit Juice for Babies Under the Age of One
Share:
  • Fruit juice is as bad as soda?

    Fruit juice is as bad as soda?

  • Muji Singapore Recalling Apple & Grape 100% Fruit Juice Due To Mould

    Muji Singapore Recalling Apple & Grape 100% Fruit Juice Due To Mould

  • 10 Signs Your Husband is Cheating, According to a Former Mistress

    10 Signs Your Husband is Cheating, According to a Former Mistress

  • Singapore Dad Shares How a Rare Disease Left His Children Bedridden and Tube-fed

    Singapore Dad Shares How a Rare Disease Left His Children Bedridden and Tube-fed

app info
get app banner
  • Fruit juice is as bad as soda?

    Fruit juice is as bad as soda?

  • Muji Singapore Recalling Apple & Grape 100% Fruit Juice Due To Mould

    Muji Singapore Recalling Apple & Grape 100% Fruit Juice Due To Mould

  • 10 Signs Your Husband is Cheating, According to a Former Mistress

    10 Signs Your Husband is Cheating, According to a Former Mistress

  • Singapore Dad Shares How a Rare Disease Left His Children Bedridden and Tube-fed

    Singapore Dad Shares How a Rare Disease Left His Children Bedridden and Tube-fed

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.