Sweet drinks - whether they are sugar water with fruit flavoring or all-natural apple juice - seem to raise the risk of children getting fatter, new research suggests. That may come as a surprise to parents who pride themselves on seeking out fruit drinks with no added sugar. "Juice is definitely a part of this," said lead researcher Jean Welsh of the US government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While fruit juice does have vitamins, nutritionists say it’s inferior to fresh fruit.

The new US dietary guidelines, for example, urge consumers to stay away from juice, suggesting they eat whole fruit instead. The bottom line, though, is that "children need very few calories in their day," Welsh said. "Sweet drinks are a source of added sugar in the diet." She said preschoolers were better off snacking on fruit or drinking water or milk. Welsh’s research is published in the February issue of Pediatrics.

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The fact is that children can become addicted to these sweet drinks because of their high sugar content. The calories add up quick, yet the nutrition doesn't. It's a perfect recipe for too many calories and too little nutrients. Good nutrition comes from whole foods from fruits and vegetables, and children need to be encouraged (required?) to eat more and get in the habit each day. While it's not the best thing, we recommend a supplement made from the juice of a variety of fruits and vegetables plus put into an easy to consume form. Medifast will assist with your healthy diet and weight loss.

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