Creating new patterns
For children who consume sweetened juices and sodas regularly, the transition to healthier options might be challenging at first.
“Change can involve tantrums and unhappiness, and right now parents are at their max living pandemic parenting life,” said Jennifer Anderson, a registered dietitian and CEO of Kids Eat in Color, LLC, a resource for improving child nutrition and health through innovative education, meal plans, and tools. “Kids can get used to having sugary drinks, and they don’t want to give them up.”
One way to help make the switch is by having only water and milk as options while children are up and about, a technique that works particularly well for younger children, she said.
“This sort of ‘quiet restriction’ helps kids learn to love the healthier option without feeling deprived,” Ms. Anderson said. “They will eventually learn about juice, soda, chocolate milk, sports drinks, and more, but you can let them learn about those foods at a slower pace when you rarely or don’t serve them at home.”
The researchers reported no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.