Pediatricians Warn Against Giving Kids Too Much Juice

Many parents are familiar with the warnings about fruit juice and infants--such as too much apple juice can lead to cavities.

But now the nation’s largest group of pediatricians has issued a stronger warning: Fruit juice should not be given to infants under 6 months, and older children’s consumption should be limited, too, to avoid diarrhea, cavities, malnourishment and obesity, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. While 100% fruit juice has some benefits for children, doctors and parents should be alert to the risks, the group says in the May issue of Pediatrics.

Many parents give their youngsters fruit juice because it is considered nutritious and most kids like it. But in finicky eaters, too much juice may replace more important nutrients; it also adds calories that can contribute to obesity.

A 6-ounce glass of 100% fruit juice equals one serving of fruit. But juice lacks the fiber of whole fruit and offers no nutritional advantage over it, the academy said. In addition, juice’s high carbohydrate content can cause diarrhea.

Children ages 1 to 6 should drink no more than 4 to 6 ounces of juice daily. Those 7 through 18 should have no more than two 6-ounce servings daily, and all children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits, the academy said.