• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

What’s a Better Juice Box? (Do You Know What’s In Yours?)

Janelle Sorensen, Healthy Child Healthy World:

About the only time we buy juice boxes for our kids is when we’re headed on a long road trip or when we go camping. But that’s just us. In most American homes, juice boxes are a convenient staple and many moms see the word “juice” and automatically think “healthy.” Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

Here are two ingredients that are far from healthy, yet often found in kids’ beverages:

  • Added sweeteners. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is one of the most common sweeteners, but as we reported two years ago, a pilot study found mercury contamination in this ubiquitous ingredient. It’s also highly processed and made using genetically modified ingredients – a combination leading to still unclear impacts. In addition, some studies have linked consumption of excess amounts of any type of added sugar — not just high-fructose corn syrup — to such health problems as weight gain, dental cavities, poor nutrition, and more.
  • Artificial food dyes. Over the last three decades, repeated studies have concluded that modest doses of synthetic colors added to foods can provoke hyperactivity and other disturbed behavior in children. (We believe that’s enough damning evidence, despite the US FDA’s call for more research before regulating these toxic tints.)

What can you do?

Read the ingredients. Look for 100% juice products. Opt for organic if possible. And, experiment with new products and flavors. There are so many innovative and healthy options these days – from fresh fruit juices and smoothies to cold teas and coconut water (which my family can’t get enough of these days!)

Call manufacturers. Ask that they remove these unnecessary additives. Also, ask about what the product is packaged in. Increasingly, studies are finding that toxic components of food packaging are leaching into our foods and beverages. It’s also preferable to find something you can recycle. (Or, buy beverages in larger recyclable containers and fill reusable juice boxes or stainless steel bottles.)

What are your family’s favorite drinks?

Find safer, healthier alternatives at Shop Healthy.

Find Out More:

  • Quick Tip: Limit Sugary Drinks
  • Easy Recipe: Raspberries ‘N’ Dream Smoothie
  • Is Stevia Really Natural?
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« The Sounds of Spring: Nighttime in Our Meadow
WTF? Genetically Modified Cows Produce Human Breast Milk »

Comments

  1. Heather Hill says

    April 5, 2011 at 9:13 am

    Thanks for this great information.
    What do you think is the best juice on the market for kids? My sons love juice, what brand do you use or recommend?

    Reply
  2. Ron Rothman says

    April 6, 2011 at 9:46 am

    Thanks for the post. While I agree with the points it makes, I’m disappointed that the conversation around sugared beverages has focused on /added/ sugar, instead of the more serious problem: the sugar (fructose) in the natural juice itself.

    Don’t get me wrong, HFCS is bad; but–and here’s the radical part–so is fresh-squeezed orange juice! In small quantities, neither will harm you, but whether you give your child a can of soda with each meal or a glass of juice with each meal is largely irrelevant. They both contribute to metabolic syndrome, and nearly equally. If you want to learn why, I highly recommend starting with Robert Lustig’s lecture, “Sugar: The Bitter Truth,” which is posted on youtube:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

    Thanks, and keep on posting!

    Reply
  3. Rita says

    October 27, 2011 at 9:02 pm

    watch sugar the bitter truth children’s version
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PMQvamaAcc

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Harley Touring Bikes » Blog Archive » What?s a Better Juice Box? (Do You Know What?s In Yours?) says:
    April 9, 2011 at 11:38 pm

    […] What?s a Better Juice Box? (Do You Know What?s In Yours?) is a post from: Eco Child's Play […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

Plants Over Plastics! Repurpose Compostable Home Products

Convenient Plastic Container Free Dropps Laundry & Dishwashing Pods

More from the archives!

Does Obesity and Diabetes Begin in the Womb?

New Study Suggests Link Between Hairspray Exposure and Genital Birth Defect

Background TV Noise Reduces Parent-Child Interaction

Breastfeeding Experience from A Green Girl and First Time Mom

26 US Crib Injuries a Day: Co-sleeping is Safer

cbd salve joy organics

CBD Products that Actually Deliver: Joy Organics

wama hemp underwear

The Most Comfortable Underwear is Made of Hemp: WAMA Review

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy

Another BPA-Free, Stainless Steel Water Bottle

TV Shows for preschoolers

5 Really Sweet TV Programs for Preschoolers

Beautiful and Unique Clothing for Children by Tea Collection

Strawberries: Super-Hero Or Super-Villain?

Your Toddler and NuVal: Keeping (FOOD) Score

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

natural deodorant

Switch to natural deodorant now!

Turn Out the Lights for Earth Hour 2009

Healthcare Needed for Our Tweens and Teens

Parenting 101: Danger has "Great Learning Benefit" for Children

More bad news for Bisphenol-A: BPA may increase miscarriage risk

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.