The days are getting longer, the kids are out of school and we’re starting to feel those summertime temps! With all the fun in the sun summer brings, it’s more important than ever to stay hydrated in this heat.
If you don’t have a water-lover at home, you know how challenging it can be get them to drink good ol’ plain water!
For young kids, it’s hard for them to make the “healthy” choice on their own. I’ve had the water battle with my own almost two-year-old juice lover. If given the opportunity, they most likely will choose what tastes good to them. As parents, they need your help to encourage and shape these healthy habits. Encouraging them to choose water at a young age is one of the best habits they can learn. We kicked that juice habit real quick. Now my little one expects water in her cup and will happily drink it {most of the time}!
The more you give into things like juice or sports drinks, the more they are going to want those things. Nothing beats the thirst quenching hydration that water provides to their little bodies.
10 Tips to Encourage Kids to Drink More Water
- Serve water in a fun cup with a colorful straw or a cool water bottle.
- Try natural flavored waters by adding lemon, lime, orange slices or any of your favorite fruits. You can find a great list of ideas here!
- Drink water with them and make sure they see you choosing water as well.
- Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator so it is nice and cold whenever they get thirsty.
- Blend strawberries or other fruits and make flavored ice cubes to add to the water.
- Between meal times, only offer water to drink.
- Bring a water bottle with you every time you go somewhere.
- Make fun ice cubes using ice cube molds that are shaped like things such as stars or hearts.
- Freeze whole fruits in ice cubes, such as blueberries or raspberries.
- Serve a pitcher of water with lemon slices at dinner time.
In With the Water – Out With the Juice!
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends only 4-6oz. of juice per day for children ages 1-6 yrs. For children under 1, it’s not recommended to give them juice at all because it has no nutritional benefit for them. They’ll taste that sugar and their brain will start to crave it.
Choosing 100% juice is the best choice, but even these juices have a lot of sugar in them. If you have a big juice drinker, try adding water to 100% juice to cut down on the sugar and the sweetness. Sugar {even natural sugars} add tons of extra calories and no nutrition. And not to mention, it’s not good for those sweet little baby teeth!
To learn about other nutritional recommendations as well as more ideas on how to encourage healthy eating habits for your family, visit ChooseMyPlate.gov!
How do YOU get your kids to drink more water?
