Too Much Apple Juice Can Be Bad For Kids

Because too much apple juice can stunt a child’s growth, just how much should a preschooler drink?

Here’s the view of Karen Chew, a registered dietitian and clinical nutrition supervisor at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, Calif.:

“Juice calories can fill up kids, and juices have little nutritive value. Excess juice may reduce intake of other important foods containing proteins, complex carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals needed for growth.

“Also, children may react to excessive juice intake by producing loose stools. If your child has diarrhea, avoid juices.

“The recommended intake of juices is about 3 or 4 ounces per day for preschoolers. If your child enjoys juice, you can dilute it to offer twice as much.”

The bottom line: “If your child is thirsty, offer water - save the juice.”