And remember: you don’t HAVE TO identify the healthiest option. If you want an energy drink and it has a ton of sugar, that’s perfectly okay. Professional associations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that juice be limited to 4–6 ounces (120–180 ml) per day for children aged 1–6 and 8–12 ounces (236–355 ml) per day for children aged 7–18. While some premade smoothies are loaded with sugar, homemade smoothies — as long as they’re rich in nutritious ingredients — make excellent choices for children.

Avoid purchasing smoothies at grocery stores or restaurants, as these may contain added sugars, and opt for homemade versions whenever possible. This is because water is critical to health and necessary for countless vital processes in your child’s body, including temperature regulation and organ function ( 1).This makes coconut water an excellent hydration alternative to sugary sports drinks for active children ( 6). It also contains electrolytes — such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium — which are lost through sweat during exercise. Even though many children prefer sweetened milk drinks like chocolate or strawberry milk, plain, unsweetened milk makes the healthiest choice for kids. I’ve not even been allowed to drink extra coffee above my normal amount to quell the cravings as my intake of this is also being monitored. My poison of preference is the Caribbean Crush Lucozade or Play Original. I tend to go for the energy drinks that have understated burn, which for me amplifies the feeling that what I’m drinking is potentially harmful. Also that buzz is quite nice – and it’s legal. There’s nothing quite like reaching into the cold fridge at the service station for that cold Lucozade in that well-thought-out bottle with the cap. Having a bottle is nice because then the juice lasts longer.

Many young children drink caffeinated beverages — such as soda, coffee, and energy drinks — which may have adverse effects on health. Smoothies are a scrumptious way to sneak fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods into your child’s diet.Herbal teas — such as lemongrass, mint, rooibos, and chamomile — are fantastic alternatives to sweetened beverages, as they are caffeine-free and provide a pleasing taste.

A 12-ounce (354-ml) serving of regular Coca-Cola contains 39 grams of sugar — or almost 10 teaspoons ( 17). Partnering with Polish distributor Foodcare, Best of Poland stated that it aims to deliver significant branded volume sales within retail, convenience, foodservice, wholesale, and discounters via a team of World Food experts. Children’s health organizations like the AAP suggests that caffeine should be limited to no more than 85–100 mg per day for children older than 12 and should be completely avoided in children under 12 ( 31). For example, milk contains protein, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium — essential nutrients for bone health that are especially important for growing children ( 7). Coconut water provides a good amount of several nutrients, including vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium — all of which are important for children ( 5).

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Plus, drinking too many sweetened beverages can contribute to weight gain and cavities in kids ( 20, 21). Additionally, dehydration can negatively impact your child’s health in many ways, potentially reducing brain function, causing constipation, and leading to fatigue ( 4). Even though 100% fruit juice provides important vitamins and minerals, intake should be limited to the recommended amounts for children. While many parents tend to give children fat-free milk, milk with a higher fat content may be healthier for younger children, as fat is needed for proper brain development and overall growth ( 8). Lucozade had the least amount of caffeine, but still contained about four teaspoons of sugar a bottle.

Caffeine can cause jitteriness, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, and sleep disturbances in kids, which is why beverages containing caffeine should be restricted based on age ( 29, 30).According to the FDA, 400mg is the recommended caffeine consumption limit. Since tolerances vary, you may very well be able to handle more caffeine without any ill effects, but this is the general rule of thumb. Find sources: "Frugo"– news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( July 2014) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) For these reasons, higher-fat milk choices, such as 2% fat milk, makes a better choice than skim milk for most children. If any drink should be limited in a child’s diet, it’s soda — as well as other sweetened beverages, such as sports drinks, sweetened milks, and sweet teas. One study reported that about 75% of U.S. children aged 6–19 consume caffeine, with an average intake of 25 mg per day in children 2–11 years old and double that amount in children aged 12–17 ( 28).