Should Nurseries Ban Fruit Juice?

As nurseries face increasing pressure to provide healthy meals and snacks for children, attention could soon be turning to the drinks that they provide kids in their care with too. Following recent research, Raw Labels, a leading provider of customisable labels and ID wristbands, is urging nurseries and schools to consider the drink options they offer to children.

The debate has been started by a study conducted by the Medical University of Vienna, which revealed that children that drink fruit juices for breakfast were 50% more likely to be overweight. In contrast, children that drank water in the morning were 40% less likely to be obese. While there’s been an increased awareness around healthier breakfast alternative, drinks have often been ignored but the research suggests it’s an area that needs to be considered.

Sven Miller, Sales Manager of Raw Labels, said, “Fruit juices are often thought of as being a healthy drink option for children and adult alike, after all, they are made from fruit. However, the research highlights that orange and apple juice should be considered a treat rather than a breakfast staple, especially for young children. As well as the increased risk of obesity, it’s also important to recognise the high sugar content that many fruit juices are loaded with and the effect they have on teeth.

“With nurseries playing a key role in childhood development and many children having their breakfast outside of the home, care providers should be looking at the drink options they provide on a daily basis. It doesn’t have to be a case of banning fruit juice but limiting how often it’s an option could significantly boost the wellbeing of children.”

The research follows Public Health England findings that revealed the average child is eating three times too much sugar, much of which is coming from sugary drinks and unhealthy snack options. It’s resulted in nearly half a million children under the age of 11 being classed as obese, increasing the risk of a range of health conditions. Cutting back on the amount of fruit juice consumed by young children could be a step in the right direction for combatting the challenge of health during early years.

To find out more visit rawlabels.co.uk/.