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You
are here: Home / MyPyramid for Preschoolers / MyPyramid Plan / Beverages
 Offer your preschooler water and fat-free or low-fat
milk as beverage choices. You may also offer small amounts of 100% fruit juice.
| Water |
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When your preschooler is thirsty, water is a good beverage choice. It provides the fluid your child’s body
needs. |
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Be sure to have water available when your child is playing outdoors or doing
other physical activity. |
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Make sure your preschooler drinks
fluoridated water. It helps build and maintain strong teeth. |
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Many community tap water supplies contain fluoride. Check with your water supplier to make sure. If your water supply is not fluoridated or is from a well, check with your doctor about a possible need for fluoride supplements. |
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Bottled water is not better or safer than regular tap water, and is an added expense. |
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“Flavored” waters or "vitamin" waters may have added sweeteners. Be sure to read the Nutrition Facts label on these beverages. |
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| Milk |
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Milk and milk products provide many vital nutrients that your preschooler needs
for growth. Milk is a good choice to offer as a beverage at meals and snacks. |
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While some children don’t drink enough milk, others sometimes prefer to fill up on milk and avoid other important foods. Preschoolers need about 2 cups from the milk group each day. Help your child get enough but not too much milk. |
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Choose low-fat and fat-free milk. These have the same amounts of calcium and vitamin D as whole or 2% milk, but less saturated fat. |
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All types of fluid milk are routinely
fortified with vitamin D. Some yogurts are also fortified with
vitamin D. Vitamin-D fortified products help build and maintain
bones. |
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Make sure you serve only
pasteurized (not raw) milk to your preschooler. |
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| 100% fruit juice |
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Fresh, frozen, canned and dried
fruits provide
more fiber than juice. Offer them most often. |
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Look for beverages that have 100% fruit juice on the label. 100% fruit juice can be a healthy part of a preschooler’s beverage choices in small amounts. |
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You may offer your preschooler up to ½ cup to 3/4 cup (4-6 ounces) of 100% fruit juice per day. |
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Sweetened beverages such as fruit punch and fruit drinks look like fruit juice, but may contain little or no fruit. These drinks, as well as some flavored waters, sweetened teas, and sports drinks, provide calories, but little or no nutrients. |
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Make sure you serve only pasteurized juice to your preschooler. |
Last Modified:
March 12, 2009 05:06 PM
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