When it comes to growing children, it's extremely important to choose drinks that support their health and development. Based on my research (and life experience), here's a list of the best drinks for children, in order of what's generally considered the best.
Water: The top choice for hydration, it has no calories, sugar, or additives. My mom and dad used to call water “Adam's ale” and they always made sure to keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator. I also drank water from the kitchen faucet ... without a filter! Can you believe it?
Plain
Milk: Provides essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and
protein. My mom
always kept milk in the fridge because we ate a lot of cereal.
Although? The amount of sugar in those boxes
of cereal? I'm not sure. IT might have canceled out the benefits of
the milk.
100% Fruit Juice: Limited amounts can be
beneficial, but it's best to avoid juices with added sugars. The only juice I remember drinking a lot growing up was orange juice. Back in
the day, we had a milkman who delivered, and either that was the only
juice he sold, or the only juice my mom bought. I really loved
pineapple juice so whenever I got to enjoy it (usually around the
holidays), it was a special treat. These days it seems like
everybody is into “juicing” and blending fruits and veggies into
a drink; or you can buy from the store. There are lots of fruit
juices with carrots or beets. That's cool! But I prefer my fruit
juice separately.
100% Vegetable Juice: Similar to fruit
juice, but with added vitamins and minerals. It used
to be there was only V8 tomato juice and I tried my best to avoid it.
LOL. Now V8 has a lot of variety in their vegetable juice product
line. Of course, you can buy a juicer and make your own. Green
drinks are very popular. I'm guessing that kids will drink it.
Plant-Based Milk Alternatives: Suitable for children with allergies or dietary restrictions, but ensure they are fortified with necessary nutrients. Some kids are lactose-intolerant. In my home, I gave birth to lactose-intolerant children. They got it from their daddy! My late husband said when he was growing up they gave him goat milk or soy milk. If it weren't for him and having his children, I might have never known there was such a thing as Plant-Based Milk.
Flavored Milk: Can be an occasional treat, but it's better to stick with plain milk for daily consumption. Occasional? Not for me! My mom kept milk in the fridge but he also kept Nestlé Quik powder in the pantry. If I had to drink milk in a glass it was going to be chocolate! For our school lunches, we had a choice: white or chocolate. I always picked chocolate! I thought those were the only two choices in the world. But there are strawberry, banana, and other flavors.
The point to be made is coffee, tea, sodas or carbonated beverages and fake fruit drinks that have dyes for color and a small percentage of real juice are probably not the “best drinks” for a growing child. (Although we did drink a lot of Kool-aid.) But let's see what a medical professional says about it.
What Should Kids Drink? Water, Milk, Juice, Soda | WebMD
