Is Giving Your Toddler Juice a Good Idea

We all know that juice usually contains healthy things like Vitamin C and Vitamin A. However did you also know that whether it is natural or not, canned or fresh squeezed, frozen or eaten in a Popsicle that it contains a lot of sugar.

Sugar just isn’t good for babies, toddlers and kids in general. Toddlers tend to be quite hyperactive is, especially if they are about to reach that age known as “The Terrible Twos.” The sugar pumps the kid up and they can become far too energetic and excitable. This is then followed by a crash. You end up with a very cranky toddler who is going to pester you for more juice so they can feel that “sugar high” again.

To establish healthy eating patterns and avoid addicting your child to sugar you need to limit their intake of juice. Never give a toddler more than four ounces a day.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that parents need to know the difference between 100% fruit juice and beverages and cocktails that contain only a bit of juice a lot of sugar. These drinks can be just as bad as giving your baby a glass of cola.

You should also avoid giving babies and toddlers fruit juice before bedtime as it can rot their teeth. Drinking too much juice can also lead to poor nutrition, gas, tummy pain, bloating and diarrhea.

Once a baby becomes a toddler he or she may suddenly display symptoms of thirst. Most babies don’t feel thirsty until afar the age of one. Make sure your child is hydrated by giving him or her water throughout the day. According to the Institute of Medicine a kid between the ages of one and three needs about 1.3 liters of water a day. You can sweeten the water with a touch of juice to flavor it and also avoid the child from taking so much sugar that they experience a terrible “sugar crash.”

A fresh lemon or orange squeezed into a glass of water with a pinch of sugar or salt is good for quenching thirst. Coconut water is also a healthy option.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also does not advise parents to give kids juice before the age of six months old. A baby this young does not need a lot of water or fluids that are not breast milk. This is because breast milk contains everything that your baby needs to receive full nutrition.

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How to Make Baby Food Out of Pumpkin

Once your baby is six months old you can feed your baby pureed pumpkin. It is easy to add this to cereals, yogurts or even meats. Most babies can even tolerate a little bit of cinnamon and melted butter to make it extra tasty. When shopping for pumpkins look for pie pumpkins or sugar pumpkins for best results.

A pumpkin is a type of squash and is a member of the gourd family (Cucurbitacae). This family also includes squash, cucumbers, gherkins, and melons. They are full of nutrition including Vitamin A and Beta Carotene. It is an excellent nutritious vegetable to cook and puree. Pumpkins are also good sources of potassium, protein, and iron. They are low in fat, low in calories but high in fiber.
Before you puree it you must boil, steam or bake the pumpkin. You must also chill it immediately after cooking or it will turn brown.

The simplest Pumpkin Baby food recipe is –
• 1 sugar pumpkin
• Water
• Cinnamon.
Cube cooked pumpkin and mash it or blend it until smooth.

Nice variations include adding a bit of mashed apple or apple sauce or a bit of cooked oatmeal to the blend. This makes this a great breakfast food that is chock full of Vitamin A.
Another very nice combination is half a cup of pumpkin puree and two mashed bananas. If your baby likes a smoother texture add a bit of yogurt or milk while blending to make it less lumpy. Other fruits that go nicely are peaches and pears, especially together in a batch of pumpkin puree.

To make a savory pumpkin puree for baby add two tablespoons olive oil, a bit of onion, a cup of vegetable stock, a pinch of sugar and pepper, rosemary and basil. Cook the mixture thoroughly and then to sit with lentils, brown rice or quinoa for a healthy meal.

By the way if you do not want to go to the trouble of scooping out a pumpkin and baking the flesh to puree it into baby food then you might want to use canned pumpkin. Most canned pumpkin can be used directly out of the can. Read the label first to find out. It will say it was cooked first.

If using canned pumpkin then try to use a kind like Libby's which has 100% Pure Pumpkin on the label.

Pumpkin is economical to puree up in a baby bullet. It lasts for 1 week in the fridge or up to three months in the refrigerated. Do not be alarmed if pumpkin separates when thawing. This is a natural effect and does not mean it has gone bad.

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