juice

We chose to avoid juice with our kids for as long as possible. This was for a couple of reasons 1) they are extremely small and the doctor said to give them as much milk as possible because they need the milk fat 2) it's really not good for their teeth. So we've managed to avoid it this far with the exception of a little bit of prune juice (watered down) now and then for constipation. I've never felt like they needed it for nutrition because they eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables. The girls really didn't know what they were missing, so it really wasn't an issue. I fear it will become an issue when they go back to daycare in a few weeks though. They are much more aware of what everyone else is doing. The daycare also really feels like they need juice since it is part of their meal plan and I know they think I'm "weird" for not allowing them to serve it to my kids. So I'm wondering if I should allow them to have it at daycare as long as it is watered down a lot. I'm not sure what guideline I should give daycare about how my juice versus how much water though. I hate to start juice since they've been doing so well without it, but I don't want them to feel left out at daycare either. Who knew that juice would cause me such inner turmoil? :laughing: If you avoided juice, at what point did you start allowing it and did you mix it with water?

 

My two are only allowed juice when at the grandparents house (they want to "spoil" them (figuratively and literally :laughing: ) ) and when at parties... but I wouldn't want them to get it at school. ardon: I've been telling my two since they were younger that juice isn't good for your teeth and too much can make your tummy hurt, so they are pretty good at declining it but I also did tell their preschool last year that I didn't want them getting juice... only milk or water. The school did it and my two never did mind that they didn't get what others were. ardon: I figure there is plenty of time for them to drink juice and I won't really have a say in it. :lol:

 

We only have watered down juice for constipation issues here as well. I would just stick with what you've been doing. It sounds like it's working and there really is no need for the juice. ardon:

 

I would stick to what you're doing also and not let them have juice at daycare.

 

Juice is just empty calories. No nutritional value - at least none that they can't get from healthy food VERY easily (vitamin C). I'd just continue doing what you're doing. No need to cultivate a sweet tooth this young!

 

I still avoid juice except for special events or outings. They might get a juice box then. I agree that it is just empty calories and they can get the vitamins from a well balanced diet. I think you should stick with what you have been doing.

 

You all make me feel so much better. Daycare really indicates that I'm the only one who has ever asked for their kids not to have juice. I even have to get a doctor's note explaining why they won't be participating in the food program.

 

Our daycare serves juice on rare occasions (like maybe two or three times a month) & since my guys are part time, sometimes it's weeks before they hit a 'juice' day. However, my kids don't get juice at home. I also fought for a LONG time for them not to get it at daycare (I also had to have a doctor's note...to which my doctor laughed at! Shouldn't a parent be able to decide which foods/drinks to give their children?!). Now I allow it because my boys are old enough to understand that juice is a special treat at school or social events (ie birthday parties...but even then I try to stick to water). My boys KNOW soda is not for them, yet they see DH & I drink it often & they understand that concept. However, if juice were served daily, I would NOT allow it. I think your girls will be fine getting water while their friends get juice, as long as you explain it to them. If it starts becoming an issue, then readdress it. They may surprise you.

Good luck!

 

I wouldn't have any problem telling them no juice for my kids. You are not weird at all (or maybe I am weird too :lol: ). Our preschool only serves water to the kids so it has never been an issue, but we only do juice (watered down a lot) on very rare occasions.

 

We have an epidemic of childhood obesity and you need a doctor's note explaining that you don't want to give your kids empty calories? I think we should start a poll about whether to laugh or cry about that... :gah:

 

Don't get me started. They also don't understand the difference between treat and snack. I about went through the roof when they gave my 14-month-olds two cookies in the same day. I know I'm viewed as one of those high maintenance mommies. Generally we are VERY pleased with the daycare, but unhealthy snacks and juice are the two things I complain about. My friends now call me the "Snack Nazi" because I'm always complaining about the snacks.

 

Unfortunately before more moms complain they'll keep feeding that stuff... heck I had a playdate once and the other mom gave her kids oreos, juice box and yogurt tube... my kids had goldfish and water... lol.

It's not really surprising though, cookies are cheap compared to fruit, yogurt etc. Even most yogurts have way too much sugar, although the kids varieties are often better... and I give my kids yogurt smoothies every other day so I guess I can't talk LOL.

But yeah, a couple cookies once or twice a month... sure. Every day... ugh.

 

I never served them juice myself, but I didn't object when anyone else did. Fortunately our daycare is pretty limited on juice too -- they get it once or twice a week along with snack, but not every day.

I also tend to be a low-maintenance mommy at daycare. Neither of my kids have true food allergies, and there are plenty of kids in their class who do, and the teachers have enough to deal with just remember who has to have soy milk and who can't have bananas and who is gluten-free.... I figure, juice isn't really "bad" -- it won't hurt them -- I just don't want them to get too much.

 

wow - our pre-school won't individually feed a child something different than what is on the menu...fortunately they don't give them juice (not that it would bother me) but they don't cater to children with dietary restrictions...other than being a nut free facility...I asked them once to NOT give the twins milk for snack after running around outside on a 90 degree day (to avoid puking) and they looked at me like I grew a second head!

 

Oh yes, the unhealthy snacks. A previous center that we left (for multiple reasons, but the menu was one of them) had my 13 month olds eating a chocolate chip cookie bar with chocolate frosting for their afternoon snack. And it was no special day! The next day it was strawberry shortcake loaded up with whipped cream and KOOLAID & the day after that it was frosted Oreos. They never posted a menu so I was never able to determine what was going to be to eat. And they also looked at me like I had 2 heads when I told them NOT to give that junk to my children for snack. I began supplying my own snack, which also irritated me & them, not long before I pulled them (again, for multiple reasons).

(Side note on that 'awesome' center...they gave my kids PB&J sandwiches days after their 1st birthday---I guess I just never thought they'd do that! & they fed them frosted Pop Tarts or Reeses Puffs cereal for breakfast some days! Ironically, the center got closed down months after we left...shocking! I was definitely a high-maintenance mommy at that daycare!)

 

We do milk or juice here too, except for special occasions.

 

I also avoided juice because 1) I don't drink the stuff, and 2) there just isn't any nutritional value (IMO). That said, in the last 6 months I've allowed it for special occasions (birthday parties, grandma's house, etc). But my girls have no problem knowing that they don't get it all the time, and actually I think they just like the concept of a juice box more than the actual juice (b/c they got just as excited about a milk box at Panera).

I think you should stick to your plan at school because they will be there every day. I think juice is ok as an occasional thing, but not for every day. I'm sorry they are making you feel like such a weirdo about your convictions.

 

How much juice are they giving them with snack? If it's just a few ounces, I don't think I would worry about it. If it's a couple of times per day, I would definitely ask that they give them water.

We still don't do full strength juice unless it's at a party and they get a juice box, and even then my girls hardly ever finish one. We had teh same no juice rule early on and I've stuck to it. My family gives me a :huh: look all the time when I say the girls don't drink straight juice. My girls prefer milk or water. I do buy Motts for Tots so if they do want some at home for a treat, that's what they get. But, we're talking 6-8 boxes per month around here between the two of them.

 

My understanding is that they get it at the morning snack and afternoon snack and sometimes with breakfast if there isn't a fruit offered. They keep telling me that it's healthy because the government requires them to use 100% juice.

 

Mine only get juice after lunch (they have water with lunch) as a treat. If they don´t drink it all then they can have it post-snack in the afternoon, if they remember to ask for it, or if I leave it out. I give it to them watered down and I add the same amount of water as there is juice. They have had fruit drinks bought from supermarkets but it´s very rare and tends to happen when we are travelling and/or on holiday.

I started to give them juice as DD was getting constipated due to drinking little water. The juice helped her somewhat but she seems to prefer water. Mine mainly drink water throughout the day as I leave their bottles out for when they want it. They get milk at breakfast and dinner.

I allow them to try other drinks so they know what´s out there but I just don´t advertise it! They accept that they get water.

As for daycare, you must do what you consider is best for your children. To be honest, I wouldnt want my kids drinking a lot of sugary juice either. If it is 100% freshly made, as you say, then maybe. Even still, isnt it better to give them the fruit! Mine get water at daycare (they only go afternoons) and they occasionally get given chocolate milk which Im fine with.

GL!

 

I'm so glad everyone feels this way! I get so much push back from my own family about not giving them juice! I actually tried twice before when they were sick and the doctor wanted them to stay away from Milk for a few days...watered down or not they didn't like it. (I guess they're more like me, I like salty snacks!) I think its a good idea to also get them used to drinking water to get refreshed instead of juice. Water is SUCH a great habit that everyone needs to have part of their daily lives.

 

Our girls very rarely got juice at your children's age, and when they did we watered it way down. I didn't actually start serving them full strength juice until this year.

 

We have never given juice - just water and milk except for the rare occasion when I thought it would be fun to see what they did with a juice box. Well, I never thought to ask daycare if she had started giving them juice - she wasn't in their first year. Not too long ago they it were with me at home for about a week and not going to daycare and we did the same as we do on weekends - water and milk. They were so constipated and we finally gave them apple juice to get them to go. It was immediate and when I talked to my daycare I found out she gave it to them everyday at snack. I don't really care - it wasn't a totally conscious effort for me to avoid juice - and at their new daycare they give it at snack time too. I plan to keep my kids active and eating healthy to try to combat obesity and I will give in on the juice thing - especially if it avoids what we had tonight with my dd crying "need to poo poo" and in obvious pain until we gave her some applesauce and juice. My problem is going to be weaning them from milk, anyway- they are complete milkaholics.

 

I have powdered vitamins that I add to a full glass of water that they get once a day. I guess its kinda like juice or at least they think so but I like to think its a little better than juice. My son who is almost 4 gets extreamly watered down juice and I cringe when someone gives him a juice box because he bounces off the walls after one of those.

 

I would not be ok with juice at morning AND afternoon snack EVERY day, along with the occasional breakfast....even if it was 100% juice. That's too much, if you ask me. I wonder if they have the same policy as my center in that if the kid finishes their drink, they can get more. How much juice would they give them? Yikes!

ETA My kids think 'juice' is flavored water! They get that a few times a week & love the splash of flavor in their water. Much healthier than REAL juice, but very confusing to people who don't know what they're talking about !

 

So do mine. :lol: