Parents of Preschool Children: Limit Drinking....

Did you know the best way to help keep your little ones healthy is by teaching them to eat fruit rather than drinking it? Vitamin C helps heal bruises, fight infections, and helps your body use iron from food. Fruit is naturally low in fat, and is a good choice for desserts and snacks. Your child needs 1 to 1-1/2 cups of fresh, frozen , or canned fruits per day. Can you drink to much fruit juice? Yes, drinking to much juice can cause problems. A preschooler should drink no more than 1/2 to 3/4 cup per day. Some of the problems caused by drinking too much juice include: Too many calories, that may contribute to overweight issues. Drinking too much juice may keep your child from drinking milk, which keeps them from getting the calcium needed for healthy teeth and bones. Sipping juice also can lead to cavities in teeth. Always serve juice in a cup instead of a bottle. Too much juice may cause diarrhea which is not fun for the child or Mom. Adults are not the only one that need fiber, children need it too. Fiber can help prevent constipation. Read the label to look for 100% juice for the best nutrition. Know the differance between 100% fruit juice and fruit flavored drinks. Fruit favored drinks are made of a small amount of fruit juice and lots of sweetened water.