Naturally Flavored Water

7 Healthy Drinks for Kids (And 3 Unhealthy Ones)

While getting your child to eat nutritious foods can be challenging, finding healthy — yet appealing — beverages for your little ones can prove just as difficult. • Pineapple and mint • Cucumber and watermelon

• Blueberries and raspberries • Strawberries and lemon

• Orange and lime

Most children have a sweet tooth and are prone to asking for sugary beverages. However, guiding them towards more balanced options is important for their overall health. Here are 7 healthy drinks for kids — as well as 3 beverages to avoid.

1. Water

When your child tells you they’re thirsty, you should always offer water first.

This is because water is critical to health and necessary for countless vital processes in your child’s body, including temperature regulation and organ function (1Trusted Source). In fact, in relation to body weight, children have greater water requirements than adults due to their rapidly growing body and higher metabolic rate (2Trusted Source). Unlike many other drinks, water won’t provide liquid calories, making it less likely that your child will feel full and refuse solid food. This can be especially important if you have a picky eater. What’s more, drinking enough water is linked to healthy body weight, reduced risk of dental cavities, and improved brain function in children (3Trusted Source). Additionally, dehydration can negatively impact your child’s health in many ways, potentially reducing brain function, causing constipation, and leading to fatigue (4Trusted Source).

2. Naturally Flavored Water

because plain water may seem boring, it’s possible that your child may dislike this essential fluid. To make water more interesting without adding extra sugar and calories, try infusing water with fresh fruits and herbs. You can try out many flavor combinations to find one that your child enjoys. Plus, your child will get a boost of nutrition from the fresh fruit and herbs used in the water.

Some winning combinations include:

Get your child involved by letting them choose a favorite flavor pairing and help add the ingredients to the water. Stores even sell reusable water bottles with built-in infusers, which can help your child stay hydrated when away from home.

SUMMARY

To make water enticing for your child, add fresh fruit and herbs to provide fun colors and flavors.

3. Coconut Water

Although coconut water does contain calories and sugar, it makes a healthier choice than other beverages like soda and sports drinks. Coconut water provides a good amount of several nutrients, including vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium — all of which are important for children (5Trusted Source). It also contains electrolytes — such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium — which are lost through sweat during exercise.

This makes coconut water an excellent hydration alternative to sugary sports drinks for active children (6Trusted Source). Coconut water is also beneficial when your child is sick, especially if they need to rehydrate after a bout of diarrhea or vomiting. However, it’s important to carefully read the label when purchasing coconut water, as some brands contain added sugars and artificial flavors.

Plain, unsweetened coconut water is always the best choice for children.