Ah, juice—it’s a favorite snack and treat among kids. But is it really as bad for them as everyone says? Let’s explore the pros and cons of drinking juice to get a better understanding of what kind of impact it can have on our little ones.
The Pros
Juice may be a way to help picky eaters get their daily dose of vitamins and minerals. Most juices contain vitamin C, which helps boost immunity and ward off illnesses such as colds and flu. Also, if your child isn’t getting enough fruits and veggies in their diet, including juice in their daily routine can help make up for that.
According to clinical research, some of the best juices for kids to consume are those that contain fruits and vegetables. For example, a mixture of carrot, spinach and apple juice is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Carrots are an especially excellent source of Vitamin A and beta-carotene which can help protect against free radical damage and may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Spinach is also high in nutrients including folate, iron and magnesium. Additionally, it is a great source of dietary fiber which can support digestive health as well as provide satiation.
Lastly, apples are rich in antioxidants such as quercetin which helps boost the immune system and fight inflammation. All together these three ingredients make up a nutritious juice that not only tastes delicious but can help keep your kids healthy too!
Other beneficial juices for kids include orange juice which contains high amounts of Vitamin C; pear juice which offers several B-complex vitamins; cranberry juice which may help reduce the risk of bladder infections; mango juice with its abundance of Vitamin A and K; and pomegranate juice containing antioxidants that may reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease or diabetes.
Here’s a list of 10 low sugar juice options for kids that are available on Amazon.com
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Apple & Eve 100% Juice, Fruits & Veggies, 8-Ounce Bottle (Pack of 32)
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R.W. Knudsen Family Just Juice, Organic Apple, 6 Ounce Bottle (Pack of 12)
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V8 100% Vegetable Juice, Variety Pack, 11.5 Ounce Cans (Pack of 24)
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Apple & Eve Sesame Street Elmo’s Punch 100% Fruit Juice, 6.75-Ounce Box (Pack of 18)
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Tree Top 100% Juice Variety Pack Apple Kiwi Pineapple and Strawberry Watermelon 8 Fl Oz Boxes – Pack of 10
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Welch’s Kids 100% Fruit Punch and Tangy Strawberry Orange Juice Drink Variety Pack – 10 Fl Oz Cans – Pack of 32
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Capri Sun 100% Juice Variety Pack – 10ct/6 fl oz Pouches
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Ocean Spray White Cranberry Blueberry Cocktail 4 pk 8 oz Bottles
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Bolthouse Farms Organic Unsweetened Peach Mango Passion Fruit Beverage 52 fl oz Bottle
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V8 +Energy Superfruit Fusion Breakfast Beverage 8 fl oz Can (Pack of 24)
The Cons
While juice is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, it also contains a lot of added sugars. Too much sugar can lead to tooth decay, weight gain, and diabetes over time. If you want your child to drink juice, be sure to limit the amount they drink each day (usually no more than 4-6 ounces). You should also choose 100% fruit juices over sugary drinks like soda or sports drinks.
In addition, some types of juices can be high in acidity—especially citrus juices like orange or grapefruit—which can irritate sensitive stomachs or cause heartburn in some children. To avoid this problem, you could dilute the juice with water before giving it to your child. Finally, always check the label before buying any kind of juice for your child; some juices may contain artificial flavors or sweeteners that are not good for kids’ health.
Recent clinical research has shed light on the potentially unhealthy effects that juice may have on children’s health. A major study conducted by Harvard Medical School found that drinking more than 8 ounces of fruit juice per day was associated with more weight gain in adolescents, due to the high sugar content and lack of fiber present in many juices.
Additionally, a report from the European Society of Cardiology found that consuming large amounts of sugary drinks like juice was linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. As mentioned previously, some researchers have suggested that the acidity of many juices can lead to tooth decay and erosion for young children, which is especially concerning given the potential long-term damage it could do to their oral health. Parents should be aware of these potential risks and take steps to limit their child’s consumption of juice if they wish to ensure they maintain healthy weight levels and avoid developing cavities or other dental issues later on in life.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, there are both pros and cons when it comes to letting your children drink juice. As long as you set limits on how much they drink each day (no more than 4-6 ounces) and you’re careful about what kind of juices they consume (100% fruit only!), there’s no harm in letting them enjoy a glass every now and then!
Let’s face it, kids love snacks. From chips and candy to popcorn and ice cream, snack time can easily become the most popular meal of the day for many children. But fear not! Eating snacks all day doesn’t have to mean your child’s diet is missing out on important vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Here are some tips on how you can make sure your kids get what they need even when snacking takes center stage.
Be Smart About Snacks
It goes without saying that snacks shouldn’t be replacing meals, but if they do, there are a few things you can do to make sure they’re still providing your child with the necessary nutrition.
Whenever possible, try to opt for more nutrient-dense snacks like fruits and vegetables or whole grain crackers with cheese. Instead of chips or cookies, offer something like trail mix with nuts and dried fruit or yogurt with fresh fruit slices. This ensures that your child gets a variety of nutrients instead of just filling up on empty calories from processed foods.
Portion Control Is Key
Snacks are meant to tide us over until our next meal—not replace them! As tempting as it might be for your kid to scarf down an entire bag of chips in one sitting, it’s important to keep portions reasonable so that their stomach isn’t too full when mealtime rolls around later on. If you’re worried about them going back for second helpings throughout the day, try making smaller individual servings beforehand so that there aren’t any leftovers sitting around tempting them later on.
Get Creative & Have Fun!
Snacking doesn’t always have to be boring—it can actually be a fun way for kids (and adults) to get creative in the kitchen! Try setting aside some time each week for you and your family members to brainstorm healthy snack ideas together using ingredients from local grocery stores or farmers markets. Get creative by playing around with different food combinations and presentation techniques like cutting fruits into shapes or creating fun faces out of veggies! Not only is this a great way to bond as a family, but it also teaches kids valuable skills while helping them develop their own unique tastes in food!
Making sure the diet is balanced
To ensure your child is eating a balanced diet, it is important to take into consideration the five food groups. This includes fruits and vegetables, which should make up about one-third of the food that your child eats; proteins like lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, peas and nuts; whole grains such as oats, brown rice and quinoa; low-fat dairy products like milk and yogurt; and healthy fats such as olive oil.
Healthy packaged snacks
Healthy packaged snacks for kids can provide a great alternative to the common unhealthy snacks that are often found in the snack aisle. They can be packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are essential for the growing body of young children. Many companies such as Annie’s Homegrown provide organic, gluten-free and all-natural snacks that feature a delicious combination of grains, fruits and veggies. Not only do these snacks provide balanced nutrition, but they are also yummy enough to make even the pickiest eater happy! Plus, they come in fun shapes like stars, animals and even smiley faces that kids can enjoy.
In addition to attractive packaging and tasty flavors, many healthy packaged snacks also contain wholesome ingredients such as quinoa, oats or whole grains. These ingredients have been proven to help maintain blood sugar levels in children who have diabetes or other metabolic conditions. Furthermore, some products may be fortified with extra vitamins A & D which helps support healthy bones and teeth development in kids. With more antioxidants than most other snack foods, you can feel good about providing your child with quality nutrition from these tasty treats!
Moreover, certain companies are committed to sustainability by using recyclable packaging materials and renewable energy sources to produce their goods. For instance Nature’s Bakery is one of the leading brands that strives to protect the environment while providing convenient snacks for families on-the-go. All this makes healthy packaged snacks an excellent choice for parents who want their children to eat nutritious meals with no hassle involved.
Here’s a list of 15 healthy packaged snacks for kids available on amazon:
1. Kind Bars Kids Variety Pack
2. Annie’s Organic Bunny Snacks
3. Nature’s Bakery Fruit & Grain Fig Bars
4. GoGo Squeeze Applesauce on the Go
5. Blue Diamond Nut Thins Crackers
6. KIND Kids Chewy Protein Bars
7. Stretch Island Fruit Snacks
8. Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar Puffs
9. Popcorners Popped Corn Chips in Fun Flavors
10. Genuine Fruit Bites from Bare Snacks
11. Happy Kid Organics™ Strawberry Yogurt and Oats Comfort Square Bars
12. MadeGood Granola Minis Maple Quinoa Clusters
13. Terra Real Vegetable Chips in Sea Salt flavor
14. CLIF Kid ZBar Organic Oatmeal Raisin Bar
15. Gerber® Organic Yogurt Melts Mixed Berry Flavor
Conclusion
Snack time doesn’t have to mean unhealthy habits; when done right, snacking can be an enjoyable part of any healthy diet plan! By being smart about what snacks you give your kids and controlling portions accordingly, you can ensure that their diet is well balanced even when they don’t feel like eating full meals. Plus, getting creative in the kitchen is a great way to teach kids valuable skills while also having fun! So don’t be afraid to let snacks take center stage every now and again—your child’s health will thank you for it!
Do you have a child on the autism spectrum and are looking for ways to help them unlock their potential? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Believe it or not, natural treatments can make a tremendous difference when it comes to helping children with autism reach their full potential.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 naturopathic treatments that may provide relief from autism-related symptoms such as anxiety and social challenges. By arming yourself with knowledge about these therapies, you can find solutions tailored specifically to your child’s needs so that they can learn and grow into their best selves!
10 natural treatments for autism spectrum disorder.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Some people with ASD also have sensory processing issues. Here are a number of natural treatments that can help improve the challenges associated with ASD.
1. Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help support gut health. Research into probiotics and autism has revealed promising results.
In a randomized, double-blind study, children with ASD were given either active multi-strain probiotic or placebo for 12 weeks. The results demonstrated that the group taking the active probiotic had improved symptoms of autism such as increased social interaction, better communication, improved sleep habits and more positive mood.
Additionally, another study reported that when children with ASD were supplemented with specific strains of Bifidobacterium longum for four months, their symptoms associated with anxiety and depression were significantly reduced compared to those who took a placebo.
Moreover, in a study involving over 100 children with ASD and ADHD, researchers found that supplementation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus was effective in improving certain behaviors observed in these disorders. Taken together these studies demonstrate potential beneficial effects of supplementing probiotics in individuals with ASD.
2. Omega-3 fatty acids
In addition to their role in brain development and function, omega-3 fatty acids also have other potential benefits for people with ASD. Studies have shown that omega-3 supplements may improve focus, behavior, and social skills in children with ASD.
For instance, one randomized controlled trial found that children who took omega-3 supplements had better scores on tests of nonverbal communication and problem solving than those who did not. Other studies have suggested that taking omega-3 supplements can reduce irritability, depression, and anxiety symptoms in people with ASD.
Omega-3 fatty acids may also improve sleep quality in those with autism spectrum disorder. A 2020 study involving 51 participants showed that children given omega-3 supplements had improved sleep compared to those who were given a placebo. Additionally, some research suggests that taking omega-3 supplements may reduce hyperactivity levels in individuals with ASD.
Finally, there is evidence to suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may help to reduce inflammation associated with ASD symptoms. One study evaluated the effects of a fish oil supplement containing both EPA and DHA (two types of omega-3 fatty acids) on biomarkers of inflammation in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. The results showed a significant reduction in markers of inflammation after 12 weeks of supplementation compared to baseline measurements.
Overall, the evidence suggests that omega-3 supplements may be beneficial for individuals with autism spectrum disorder by improving communication skills, reducing symptoms such as anxiety and depression, improving sleep quality, reducing hyperactivity levels, and decreasing inflammation associated with ASD symptoms.
3. Essential oils
Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of essential oils in helping to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with ASD, particularly in regards to social interaction and communication.
A study conducted by Zonfera et al (2015) found that lavender oil was effective at improving social interaction and communication in pediatric patients who had been diagnosed with ASD. The study employed a randomized trial design involving 30 children between the ages of 5 and 11. Each participant was evaluated by a team of clinicians, including psychiatrists and psychologists, before being randomly assigned to either an intervention group or control group. The intervention group received four weeks of aromatherapy sessions where they were exposed to lavender essential oil diffused via a vaporizer, while the control group received no exposure. After four weeks, participants in the intervention group showed significant improvements on measures such as verbal communication skills and overall social functioning compared to those in the control group.
A second study conducted by Hanna et al (2017) also found evidence that essential oils may be beneficial for individuals with ASD based on their findings involving lemon balm oil. This randomized clinical trial included 40 children between the ages of 6 and 12 who had been diagnosed with ASD. Participants were divided into two groups; one received lemon balm oil diffused through a vaporizer for four weeks while the other did not receive any exposure to aromatherapy treatments. At the conclusion of this study, participants who had been exposed to lemon balm oil showed improved sensory processing ability compared to those who did not receive treatment. In particular, they demonstrated better ability in responding correctly to auditory-based instructions which is indicative of improved sensory processing skill.
Overall, studies have consistently demonstrated that exposure to certain essential oils may help improve social functioning and sensory processing abilities for individuals with ASD. While further research is needed to explore more specific mechanisms behind these effects, current evidence does suggest that aromatherapy may provide some benefit for people affected by ASD when used alongside other forms of interventions such as cognitive behavior therapy and medications.
