All drinks are not equal - which drinks are best for my child?

• regular soft drinks
• energy drinks
• sports drinks
• fruit drinks

If you choose the following drinks, limit to 250 ml in total a day:

• flavoured water
• flavoured milk
• 100 percent fruit juice
• diet drinks

Plain water and reduced fat milk are the best drinks for children:

• water – try chilled with sliced fruit such as oranges or strawberries
• reduced fat milk – suitable for all children from two years of age

• avoid drinks high in caffeine
• when buying a drink containing sugar, chose the smaller sizes
• children need small drinks often

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Water is free from the tap

• water is sugar free
• water is easy
• water is cheap

Always keep water on hand:

• take sipper bottles in the car
• put a jug of water out at meal times

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What’s the problem with drinks high in sugar?

Fruit juice, cordial, fizzy drinks and energy drinks are high in sugar. Drinking lots of these sweetened drinks can lead to overweight and tooth decay.

 

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Some suggestions

• try almost filling a glass with water then add a little juice – serve with lots of ice
• milk is important for growing children – serve after or between meals
• flavoured milk tastes great with trim milk added 

Encourage children who don’t drink milk to consume other calcium rich products - choose two to three servings of these foods each day:

• soy products
• yoghurt
• dairy food
• custard
• cheese

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Download and print a colour brochure

This fact sheet is based on a colour brochure, a combined initiative of the South Canterbury District Health Board and Community and Public Health. You can download and print a colour copy of the brochure in pdf format. You can also order good quality copies from Community Health Information Centre, PO Box 1475, Christchurch. For those outside the Canterbury District Health Board region, there will be a charge of 25 cents a copy.

 

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Acknowledgements

Starship Foundation and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand acknowledge the co-operation of South Canterbury District Health Board and Community and Public Health in making this fact sheet available to families.

 

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Endorsement

This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 01/06/2006

Copyright

Fact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation.
© The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2012

The Paediatric Society of New Zealand http://www.paediatrics.org.nz

Starship Foundation http://www.starship.org.nz