Healthy Drinks for Kids

There are plenty of beverages that you can go in for, but not all drinks are healthy. The market is stocked with various kinds of sweet drinks that contain high sugar content. It�s best to stick with the old rule of having plenty of water. Not only will it keep your child hydrated but he/she will also crave less of sweet/aerated drinks. The term �sweet drink� is a broad concept that encompasses plenty of drinks, like fruit juices, soft drinks and cordials. Sweet drinks have minimal or no nutritional value and thus, should be avoided. Instead, it is preferable to check out healthy beverage choices for kids. It may not be palatable or tasty like your child would prefer it to be, but nevertheless it is a healthy alternative. Having to deal with choosing from the huge repertoire of health drinks available in department stores can be painstaking, so make sure you are aware of the different types of drinks available. It is best if you read further to explore more information about nutritional drinks for children.

Beverage Choices For Kids
Sweet drinks can be considered one of the major causes for health disorders in children such as tooth decay, diarrhea and reduced appetite. Include milk and water in your kids� diet, as they are the best and the safest bets for your tiny tots. Scroll below to get a glimpse of the different health drinks for children.

Milk
Milk takes an important position in the list of healthy drinks for kids, as it acts as a rich source of calcium that is required by the body to ensure healthy, strong bones and teeth. There are several milk varieties in the market including full cream milk, skim milk etc. Skim milk is low in calories and is thus, recommended for both, adolescents and adults. However, kids under the age of 2, should be given whole milk, owing to their energy needs. Consuming milk in excessive quantities can lead to poor appetite, so limit your intake to 2-3 glasses per day. Artificially sweetened milk drinks should be avoided.

Homemade Fruit Juices
Encourage your child to eat fresh fruits, rather than going in for artificially sweetened fruit juices. They are high in sugar content and are not a good choice for children who are exceptionally bulky for their age. Prepare homemade fruit juices with no sugar, which will not only develop your child�s palate for fresh fruits but will also cut down their �sweet-tooth� cravings. Dependence on sugar for fruit juice or any food product will only aid in the decaying process of his/her teeth.

Minimal Caffeine And Soda
There is a need to put a stop to your child's consumption of soda, as it contains caffeine, which is harmful for the body. Soda should be totally avoided, especially for preschoolers. Other caffeine products like tea and coffee are addictive, and therefore are a complete �no-no� for kids.

Water
Water is one such natural beverage that is absolutely calorie-free. Its advantages are many, so make it an integral part of your daily routine to drink loads of water; at least about 8-10 glasses per day. It helps you maintain a clean stomach, clear mind and keeps you rehydrated the whole day. Drinking very less amount of water will eventually lead to urinary tract infection (UTI) and kidney stones in the long run. So, encourage your children to have more of water and less of aerated drinks at home. Keep a bottle of water handy wherever you go.

Other Drinks
Tender coconut water and other drinks rich in electrolytes, gives your child the requisite energy for various strenuous or high-adrenaline activities. Adding flavoured malt or cocoa powder to your kid�s milk may not be a healthy choice but nevertheless, it becomes indispensable in the case of picky kids. Adding a tinge of chocolate powder or other flavoring, will harm your children�s health but will definitely get them hooked to it. So, be careful with the quantity of flavoring you are adding to their milk and restrict the consumption of flavored drinks to about one glass per day.

Healthy beverages for your kids are not hard to find. You can prepare them at home with no added sugar, to avoid the problem of including too much sugar into your little one�s diet. These drinks when taken as it is, helps in their growth and metabolism in a massive way. Encourage your child to take plenty of water every day (around 8-10 glasses preferably) because of its numerous metabolic benefits. Go through this article once again and familiarize yourself with all the points.