Beverages & Children

As parents, you work hard to ensure your children eat right. But what your children drink can also impact their health -today, tomorrow and in the future.

Beverages & Children's Health

All beverages provide hydration, which is important for children and adults alike. Beverages like milk, soy beverages and fruit juice also provide nutrients that growing children need. Beverages can also be a source of calories that, while supporting energy needs, can add up quickly.

Understanding how beverages fit in a healthy lifestyle can help you guide your children's beverage intake in a way that supports their health and development. Learn more about the role of beverages in your child's diet.

Healthy Habits Start Early

Healthy lifestyles for children and adults are very similar, and include habits like getting enough sleep, being physically active, getting enough of essential nutrients, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Because helping children establish health-promoting habits is important to their childhood development and long-term health, parents are often encouraged to be good "role models" for their children. Being a good role model means showing children by your actions what you value - like being physically active and eating a well-balanced diet.

When it comes to beverages, being a role model can include making decisions like:

• What beverages you stock in the family refrigerator
• What beverages you offer children at meals, snacks and between meals
• What portion sizes you offer children
• And even what beverages and portion sizes you choose for yourself