The baby fat that looks so cute on your chubby toddler might not be as benign as you think. More than half of overweight school-age children were clinically overweight by the age of 2, according to a 2010 study by the Eastern Virginia Medical School. Vegetable juice in moderate amounts can be a tool to get your child off this slippery slope.
Calories
Just like adults, toddlers gain weight when they consume more calories each day than they expend. Because toddlers must continually gain weight to stay healthy, you shouldn't cut so many calories from your child's diet that he loses weight -- instead, reduce his calories so that he is able to grow without gaining very much, until he is at a healthy weight for his age. Vegetable juice can help you limit your child's intake of empty calories to prevent further weight gain, but only if you choose products that don't contain added sugar.
Juice
Fruit juice is a mainstay of most toddlers' diets, but according to SCAN of Northern Virginia, an organization that provides information on parenting, juice poses a significant health risk to young children. With its high sugar and calorie content, it's easy for toddlers to consume too much and gain weight. If your toddler regularly drinks fruit juice, mix it with lower-calorie vegetable juice. Gradually adjust the ratio until the drink is mostly or entirely vegetable juice. Check the label on the product to make sure it doesn't contain added sugar, or make your own in a blender.
Snacks
To satisfy your toddler's thirst, nothing beats a cup of water. Think of vegetable juice as a snack rather than a beverage. Vegetables are naturally filling, and a serving of vegetable juice can keep your child satisfied until his next meal. Replace sugary, fatty or salty snacks with vegetable juice to reduce your child's daily calorie intake while simultaneously increasing his daily servings of vegetables. If he doesn't want to drink green juice, blend in half a beet -- it doesn't take much to turn the concoction deep red.
Other Suggestions
Talk to your child's pediatrician or a pediatric nutritionist about his caloric needs, and the ideal weight for his age and height. These professionals can advise you on other ways to improve your child's health, such as limiting portion sizes, cooking at home with healthy ingredients and spending time playing with your toddler outside instead of letting him watch much television. Teach your child about good nutritional choices by eating wisely yourself. Instilling good eating habits when your child is young can keep him healthy and strong for years to come.
Member Comments