Serve Water and Milk

For kids of all ages, water and milk are the best choices, so let them flow. Not only is water calorie-free, but drinking it teaches kids to accept a low-flavor, no-sugar beverage as a thirst-quencher. Because a cup of milk has 300 milligrams of calcium, it can be a big contributor to your child's daily needs.

Here's how much calcium kids need each day:

• toddlers (ages 1 to 2 years): 500 milligrams of calcium daily
• kids (ages 4 to 8 years): 800 milligrams
• older kids (ages 9 to 18 years): 1,300 milligrams

Current dietary guidelines recommend that children ages 2 through 8 consume 2 cups (480 milliliters) of low-fat milk (or equivalent dairy products) every day. Children 9 years and older should have 3 cups (720 milliliters) per day.

When kids drink too much juice, juice drinks, sports drinks, and soda, these beverages can crowd out the milk they need. Sugary drinks also can pile on the calories.

This chart shows the calories and sugar in different beverages:

put Limits on Juice.

If your child likes juice, be sure to serve 100% juice. Also follow these recommended limits:

• up to 6 months old: no juice
• 6-12 months old: no more than 2-4 ounces (120 milliliters) per day, always served in a cup
• 1-6 years old: 4-6 ounces (120-180 milliliters) of juice per day
• 7-18 years old: 8-12 ounces (240-360 milliliters) of juice per day

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: March 2008

KEEP YOUR CHILDREN HAPPY & HEALTHY.

THIS ARTICLE IS OBTAINED FROM AVAILABLE SOURCES FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL.( PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR & TAKE HIS ADVICE) ON how much calcium kids need each day.

THANK YOU(FRIEND'S),

FRANCIS DANIEL(BAHRAIN).