- With Mayo Clinic nutritionist
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
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Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor for the Food & Nutrition Center, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.
A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She is active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in pediatrics at Mayo Clinic Rochester and nutrition education related to the physiology and recommended intakes for premature infants.
Other areas of interest include breast milk and formula safety, neonatal feeding, and nutrition for breast-feeding mothers.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
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Question
Fruit juice: Is it good or bad for kids?
I've heard that fruit juice is bad for kids because it contributes to obesity. But my kids really like fruit juice, and it's a good source of vitamins. What should I do?
Answer
from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Don't be too concerned. Recent studies have confirmed that drinking moderate amounts of 100 percent fruit juice doesn't affect a child's weight. However, fruit juice contains calories. Just like any other food or calorie-containing drink, too much fruit juice can contribute to weight gain.
If you choose to give your children fruit juice, choose 100 percent fruit juice instead of sweetened juice or fruit-juice cocktails. While 100 percent fruit juice and sweetened fruit drinks may have similar amounts of calories, your children will get more vitamins and nutrients and fewer additives from 100 percent juice.
To ensure your children aren't drinking too much juice, follow these limits from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
- Birth to 6 months: No fruit juice, unless it's used to relieve constipation
- 6 months to 12 months: Up to 4 ounces (118 milliliters) a day, served in a cup (not a bottle) to avoid tooth decay
- 1 year to 6 years: Up to 6 ounces (177 milliliters) a day
- 7 years and older: Up to 12 ounces (355 milliliters) a day
Four ounces (118 milliliters) of 100 percent fruit juice equals one serving of fruit. Juice lacks the fiber of whole fruit, however. Although a reasonable amount of fruit juice each day is fine for most children, remember that whole fruit is an even better option.
Next questionChild growth: Can I predict my child's adult height?
- Nicklas TA, et al. Association between 100% juice consumption and nutrient intake and weight of children aged 2 to 11 years. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 2008;162:557.
- O'Connor TM, et al. Beverage intake among preschool children and its effect on weight status. Pediatrics. 2006;118:e1010.
- American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. The use and misuse of fruit juice in pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2001;107:1210.
- Issue kit: Nutrition. The American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/pressroom/aappr-nutrition-issuekit.htm. Accessed March 16, 2009.
- Mypyramid for kids. U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/mpk_poster2.pdf. Accessed March 16, 2009.
- Juice or fruit drinks? U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.fns.usda.gov/TN/Resources/Nibbles/juice.pdf. Accessed March 16, 2009.
- Parenting corner Q&A: Constipation. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.aap.org/publiced/BR_Constipation.htm. Accessed March 17, 2009.
