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Child Care Nutritional Articles
fluid Children require approximately 4-6 glasses of fluid per day (1-1.5 litres). There are many different types of fluids available for children to drink. These include: water, milk, fruit juice, soft drinks and cordials. Physically active children need to be reminded to drink as thirst is not a good indicator. The easiest way to tell if your child is hydrated is to check the colour of their urine - it should be plentiful and pale in colour. If you littlie does not drink enough fluid or loses as little as three percent of their body weight then this can lead to exhaustion and dehydration. dehydration signs in children who do not drink enough
drinking water is still the best fluid option for a child Good old-fashioned water is always the best option but be aware that some bottled waters lack the fluoride necessary to protect growing teeth. Milk is a great beverage because not only does it provide carbohydrate, as an alternative to fruit juice and cordials but it also provides energy, protein and calcium. Making fruit smoothies with frozen yoghurt and ice cubes can provide a really good source of nourishment as well as fluid. Fruit juice can provide energy, carbohydrate and vitamin C. Fruit juice drinks should be diluted and limited to once a day.
Adding lots of chilled fruit to the diet of a child in warm summer months can help increase their fluid intake. Most children love watermelon and this makes a great snack!
In winter, fluid intake also needs to be kept up - thin soup can be a sneaky way to get fluid in without filling up small tummies.
Soft drinks and cordials should be kept for special occasions and should not be included as a daily fluid. Sweetened drinks suchs as cordials, fruit juices and soft drinks are often over-consumed by littlies because they taste nice - this means that a small stomach can feel full and does not allow for nutritious food to be consumed at meal and snack times.
Sports drinks are generally not recommended for children. However if a child is exercising for greater than 90 minutes then a sports drink may be included.
Tea, coffee and cola are not suitable for children. The cafeine contained in these drinks inhibits iron absorption and may lead to anaemia.
tips to get children and toddlers to drink more fluid
remember the golden rule - children eat food first, drink and
fluid comes second (The above article was prepared by - Nikki Hart, NZ Registered Dietitian)
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