How much juice is too much for my 4-year-old? I thought juice was healthy, but my mother tells me that I'm giving my son too much.

Serving 100-percent fruit juice is a great way to help kids get the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day.  But, too much juice could dampen a child's appetite for milk and other nutritious foods, says Dr. Debby Demory-Luce, a registered dietitian with the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. 

Both fruits and fruit juices are rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, potassium and folate, but whole fruits offer some nutritional advantages.   Fresh, canned and frozen fruits are generally a good source of fiber, but fruit juices are not.  Ounce-for-ounce, whole fruits also tend to be lower in calories.   Many fruit juices contain between 60 and 75 calories per one-half cup, which is 35 and 60 percent more than the calorie count for the same-size portion of whole fruit. 

To keep juice a healthy part of your son's diet, avoid serving more than one or two four-ounce servings per day, keep an eye on your son's overall appetite and calcium intake, avoid offering juice before mealtime, and check food labels to be sure you are buying 100-percent fruit juice.  Fruit punches and drinks can contain as little as 10-percent juice.  Although these products may be fortified with vitamin C, most are low in minerals and high in sugar, which could contribute to tooth decay.

Healthy Habits
Fruits & Vegetables