University of Wisconsin - Extension

Many parents are careful label-readers when it comes to fruit juices--making sure their children's drinks are 100 percent juice. Fruit juices are marketed as healthy, natural sources of vitamins and children tend to like the sweet taste of juice.

But a recent policy from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends some limits on fruit juice consumption by children. The new recommendations state that juice should be limited to 4 to 6 ounces (1/2 to 3/4 cup or a small juice glass) per day for children ages 1 to 6, and to no more than 8 to 12 ounces for children ages 7 to 18.

"Beverages of all sorts are gaining increased attention from nutrition and health experts," says Susan Nitzke, University of Wisconsin-Extension nutrition specialist and a professor of nutritional sciences at UW-Madison. "Juices are not always bad for children, but studies show that many young children are getting too much of a good thing. For example, one in 10 American toddlers ages 2-3 drink more than 12 ounces of juice on a daily basis."

The Food Guide Pyramid recommends two to four servings of fruit per day for children and adults. "As a general rule of thumb, children should not get more than half of their recommended daily servings of fruit in the form of juice," says Nitzke.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says drinking too much juice may be associated with diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal bloating and tooth decay.

Among the other recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding juice are:

- Babies should not drink juice until they are at least six months old.

- Children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits, which contain more fiber than fruit juice.

- Babies and toddlers should not be given juice from bottles or easily transportable covered cups that allow them to drink juice easily throughout the day. Babies should not get a bottle of juice at bedtime.

- Juices should be pasteurized to destroy harmful bacteria. Nitzke says many of the concerns about fruit juice also apply to overconsumption of sodas and fruit drinks that are not 100% juice.