The correct answer is water, had you guessed right? It is a necessary food even if it does not provide energy or vitamins, because it contributes to good natural hydration, cools in hot weather, and helps after efforts.
The water must go in the bag of mom or dad, in the backpack of excursions, in the portable fridge of the picnic ... Of sugary sodas we better forget (We leave them for occasional or sporadic consumption).
And it is that these drinks have been related to excess weight and the possibilities of developing type 2 diabetes. But what happens to the always present packaged juices ?, There are children who take them daily because they are attributed beneficial properties for infant feeding.
However they contain too many sugars (even those who claim not to have them), which makes them a risk factor to develop cavities. In addition, most of the vitamins and fiber that the fruit contains are missing (therefore let's forget to match them to this one).
Instead children should consume fresh fruit, which is very rich, has vitamins and minerals, and also a significant amount of water, which is very important especially in summer.
Other possible negative effects of packaged juices are the increase in blood sugar level (and this decreases appetite), and the abdominal discomforts that some children suffer due to the sugars and sweeteners they contain.
We go now with natural juices, agree that they are better than soft drinks and packaged juices, but if instead we give water and fruit, we will improve nutrient intake. Natural juices lack fiber, and in the opinion of some nutritionists (among them Julio Basulto), Spanish children have vitamin C and liquid calories.
To cope with high temperatures we don't need packaged sugary liquids, only fresh food and water.
Images | David Long, Lindsey G Via | In Family On Peques and More | 18 percent of European children under 10 consume energy drinks
