Healthy Juice Choices for Children
It is challenging to make healthy food and beverage choices for our children and grandchildren. Juices seem to be a logical choice and convenient boxed juices are great for “on-the-go” families. Juice is perceived to be a healthier choice by parents when compared to that of soda. A diet with less sugar and sodium may avoid the growing trend of juvenile diabetes, obesity and other health-related ailments in our children. But wait a minute…the Chicago Tribune in December of 2011 reported the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) concern over levels of arsenic contained in apple juices on the market. According to the CT article, FDA found 23 parts per billion (ppb) of arsenic in apple juices which may adversely impact the smaller bodies of children. The EPA standards for drinking water can not exceed 10 ppb of arsenic. The FDA will be considering similar arsenic standards on juices.
In the interim, parents are currently up in arms about the high levels of arsenic found in apple juice, primarily because they had previously believed that they were giving their kids something healthy to drink, as compared to carbonated beverages or sugary drinks. Although juices do have healthy ingredients, they also have a high sugar content, which is contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic in this country. For this reason (as well as the arsenic content), the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no juice for children younger than 6 months, no more than 4-6 oz. per day of juice for children under the age of 6, and no more than 8-12 oz. for older children. Health authorities recommend that a child should drink 50% of his/her weight in oz. each day or in the case of a 30 lb. child, 15 oz. of fluid should be consumed. Parents have a dilemma on what to choose to supplement juice consumption.
One alternative to maintain the flavor of juice that children crave is to add Watt-Ahh® that internally locks in the flavor of the juice inside the water molecule thereby preserving the taste and sweetness of natural juice. The amount of Watt-Ahh® mixed with juice is an individual preference such that the flavor is retained when 30% to 50% by volume is blended into the juice. This blend is an easy modification that parents can make to insure that their kids are getting vitamins and “good stuff” from their juices. Ultra-pure Water should be used to preserve the good attributes juices and provide a longer shelf life. Also, the blend with ultra-pure water reduces the sugar and arsenic levels of juice, while extending the supply of juice at home!
Watt-Ahh® – Natural Energy for Smart Brains