Health experts agree on new guidelines for beverage consumption for small children

Health experts issue a new set of science-based beverage recommendations for kids age 5 and under.  Dr. Marie-Pierre St. Onge with the American Heart Association says in the first year of life, the recommendation is to not provide sugary beverages.  Instead, rely on breast milk or formula.

“At one year, then switch to drinking mainly plain milk and water if necessary to maintain hydration,” said St. Onge.

St. Onge says half of all two-to-five-year-olds consume sugary beverages everyday which can increase the risk of unfavorable health outcomes later in life.

“That can increase their risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease.  It really doesn’t set them up for proper dietary intakes throughout life and proper growth,” said St. Onge.

St. Onge says there is no shortage of notable organizations throwing support behind the recommendations.

“The American Heart Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dental Association, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics have all come together to endorse these recommendations,” said St. Onge.