What drinks to offer your child to drink

In the first 5 years of life children taste preferences takes place for a lifetime. But from plant-based and toddler milks to 100% juice, stevia-sweetened fruit drinks and flavoured milk, the options and the marketing can be overwhelming. Thankfully, the best-choice of beverages for them are simple: water and plain milk.

Plain water provides the hydration all of us need to live, it also isn’t acidic, it has no calories and contains no sugar that can cause so much unnecessary damage to children’s teeth. Milk is a great source of calcium, protein, vitamin D, vitamin A, and zinc all essential for healthy growth and development.

How do young children develop unhealthy beverage preferences?
We know children who drink mostly water and plain milk from a young age tend to continue drinking them as they get older. We also know, bad habits form from an early age. Young children who are introduced to sweet drinks at a young age develop a strong preference for them making water and plain milk a harder sell.

Here's why most of these other drinks should be avoided.

• 100% juice: it's very sweet tasting and lacks fibre, an important nutrient found in whole fruit. Once children are exposed to juice, it may be difficult to limit portions or get them to prefer plain water.

• Flavoured milk. Chocolate, strawberry and other flavoured milks contain added sugars. Added sugars should be avoided. An early preference for flavoured milk may make it more difficult to get them to accept regular milk as they get older.

• Plant-based 'milk.' For some children a dairy allergy or milk intolerance may make it difficult to drink cow's milk.

• Stevia- or artificially sweetened drinks. The health risks of stevia or artificial sweeteners to children are not well understood. For this reason, it is best to avoid sweetened drinks, even if they are calorie-free. When children have a strong preference for sweet drinks, it can lead them to dislike or refuse plain water.

• Sugary drinks like sodas, sports drinks, fruit drinks, lemonade, sweetened water, and other drinks containing added sugars are harmful to a child's health. They increase the risk of excess weight gain, dental cavities, heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.

• Caffeinated drinks in young children increases the risk of poor sleep, irritability, nervousness, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. All caffeine-containing beverages are best avoided.

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Seetal Patel

BDS MFDS

­Find out more about Seetal Patel

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We're always here to help you achieve your brightest, healthiest smile.

Warm regards,
Your Oakthorpe Dental Team

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