Say No to Juice
March is National Nutrition Month! The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics created this campaign to bring awareness and education to nutrition. This campaign promotes educating ourselves about food and nutrition, as well as incorporating physical movement daily. We can then be equipped to make better food choices for ourselves and our families, allowing us to be our best selves.
This year, the theme of National Nutrition Month is to “Go Further with Food.” Food gives us fuel for our bodies and the sustained energy we need to make it through the day. It is no wonder why we should be eating more nutrient-dense real foods. This is even more critical for our growing children. They need the proper foods to build the bodies they’ll grow into.
In celebration of National Nutrition Month, let’s talk fruit juice.
There’s no question about it. Everyone loves juice. I’ve yet to meet a child that does not like juice. For parents, it’s also an easy, convenient way to have our kids get their fruits and vegetables. Right?
Well, let me ask you this. Would you allow your child to have 6 medium-sized oranges in one sitting? How about 9 apples in one sitting? Even if you did allow for it, could your child physically consume that many in one sitting? Well, that’s the amount of fruit they are drinking whenever they consume a cup of orange juice or apple juice, respectively.
