Apple Juice Hyping up My Kids?

No, you are not an idiot. Most people think apple juice is a good for you drink. Unfortunately apple juice is straight sugar and is like giving your child soda pop. :(
If you feel you have to give juice for a snack then water it down. A real apple is MUCH better than apple juice though... and much healthier. :-)

K.

1 mom found this helpful

Answer to your question, you are not an idiot! :)
Are you diluting the juice? Mine never get straight apple juice without diluting it first. Milk would probably be a better choice because the sugar sure could have a bad affect at nighttime. Maybe one of your girl is just more sensitive to sugar. (?) Or maybe she just doesn't like going to bed.
I personally don't give a snack before bed though I do offer a little bit of water in a sippy cup. We eat dinner about 6ish and they are fine until morning.
Wish you well,
C.

I am confused to that too. Years ago I gave my children a lot of apple juice and good juices. But my step daughter had trouble with her children getting diarrea from it. Then when my children were on that diarrea diet when they had it they could only have apple juice,gator aid or water for 24 hrs. I also heard that apple juice is calming on the stomach. We are told in the gov food program to not give a lot of juice instead of fresh fruits and veggies. Giving a lot of water at snack time. Children as well as adults need to drink and get used to water. I do it for awhile then forget. But important. Try not giving juice to them and see if it makes a difference. G. W

NO JUICE OR MILK at bedtime!!!

Oy! Have you seen the pictures of the little teeny kids with BLACK teeth or silver caps??? It's called "nursing bottle caries" or "decay" (go ahead...google it..) and you don't want it!

The baby teeth are so important to the development of the permanent teeth - so often parents treat them like they're just disposable baby teeth...

Our kids don't need juice for nutrition. It's just added calories and sugar that will rot their teeth and create habits that can lead to obesity. Even the 'good' 100% juice.

If they are going to have a snack - be SURE that they are brushing (YOU are brushing) their teeth after the snack. Use a pea sized amount of fluoridated (after they're old enough to 'spit') tooth paste and a soft brush (always soft - even for adults). If the child is younger without any teeth yet, then wipe the gums or budding teeth with a soft washcloth and fluoride free tooth cleaning gel - especially after nursing. If you start this on day one they'll be accustomed to it and won't fight you. If they need a drink before bed, be sure it's only ever water. NO milk, formula or juice in bottles to go to bed with.

By the way - you should be brushing up through age 6 - and then supervising the brushing. I especially have to supervise my 10 year olds brushing, flossing, and tongue scraping.

To break the "juice" habit - start cutting it down with water. Adding a little more water than juice with each cup. (Babies should drink from a cup at the table starting around 6 months - don't let them develop that "drag the bottle or sippy cup around" habit - I've seen adults with that habit too - only it's a can of coke all day - and their mouths are full of cavities too!) Eventually, the "juice" will be mostly water and easily replaced with plain water.

Good Luck!

S. K - dental hygienist & Homeschool mom to 3 manifestations of my mother's curse for "one just like me" - Zachary 10, Jacob 8, & Michaela 5

No, you aren't an idiot, probably just misinformed. Juice is sugar (even if it's 100% juice). I water down any juice I give to my daughter. Also, I would switch to water before bed (or milk, but be sure to brush their teeth after). I don't give my daugther a snack before bed. She is usually fine after dinner, but if you are going to, I would cut out the juice and make sure the snack is something light and also low sugar. Some kids are probably more sensitive to the effects of sugar than others (just like some adults are more sensitive to caffeine), so it doesn't surprise me that one of your children has reacted more strongly to it. But, if you want to cut out the battles, just lose the juice. (If that doesn't work, then you just have a kid that doesn't want to go to bed and that is a whole different issue)

Good luck! :-)

I do not give snacks or drink prior to bedtime. But i have head that applejuice does hype children.

Apple juice has about 26-38grams of sugar, that's alot. I always's give my son half juice, half water. Also I give him gatorade it only has 13grams of sugar and I also dilute it as well. Try the AM gatorade flavors she might like those. My son will not drink plain water, so I have to mix it up alittle. I would try to stay away from the Crystal light they use artificial sweeteners. Good Luck!

I never give my kids anything to eat after bath/tooth brushing time but a good alternative to apple juice is Crystal Light apple. My kids like it and it has 0 sugars.

Good Luck!
E.

Apple juice has lots of sugar so of course it would wire a child. I do not give my child juice past 5 pm, and even when I do give him juice, I water it down. He only gets milk or water in the eveing. My husband was unaware that I water down our son's juice and gave him pure apple juice on sun. Our 16 month was bouncing off the walls for over an hour!

I agree with the other moms. You are sooo not an idiot!!! Dilute the juice or switch to water or milk. Brush those teeth well before bed. Congrats on you new little boy!

Peole just misunderstand the concept of "sugar" - sugar comes in about a half dozen forms. The most common two are: Fructose, which is fruit sugar- pure carbohydrate, simple sugar. The second is Sucrose, basically white table sugar, also pure carbohydrate, simple sugar. Simple sugars are processed VERY quickly by our bodies- hence the name "simple sugar". Milk also has a form of sugar in it- Lactose, milk sugar. Lactose & Fructose are totally different from Sucrose, in that they are both NATURALLY ocurring sugars, not ADDED ones- that's the kicker...NATURAL sugars are BETTER than any added sugars...BUT they are still sugars, and are quickly broken down by the body for fast energy. The protein & fat in the milk slows its digestion & keeps the Lactose from hitting the system like a freight train, as the Fructose does in the apple juice- which has no fat or protein.

How's that for an explaination? ;) Is it clear? Fruit juices ARE better than sodas & sports drinks- from a nutritional profile standpoint (some juices are better than others: orange vs. apple), BUT they pack the same calories & react chemically within the body in essentially the same way. Another reason it's a good idea to limit all calorie laden drinks & really push WATER, water, water.

D.

PS - some kids ARE going to be MORE sensite to others, just as some adults are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine, than others. It is good you have this awareness! You'll know better what foods may "set her off," and steer clear or limit them in her diet.

I have 4 kids...and I have 1 that doesn't tolerate sugar or caffeine very well. He bounces off the walls and gets irratable.

Apple juice has sugar in it... check to make sure it is the natural fruit sugar and not added as well. You will be suprised that some juices have as much sugar as a soda.

My one has bed time issues that we have finally gotten help with...after 5 pedi's and a sleep study, so if your's truly has sleep issues don't give up. Now that my son takes medication to sleep, our lives and his are soooo much better! He does better in school and is a better child.

A friend of mine's child has a reaction to red dye that causes him to have night terrors.. yet her other children have no problems with it. So yea, they are each little individuals and everything affects them different.

I always thought if they come from the same batter, they ought to be the same, but it just isn't so. I get in trouble all the time for comparing my kiddos! They prove me wrong daily!

Good luck! (Kool aid makes an invisible (no dye) koolaid- i use splenda instead of sugar as a "treat" drink.)

Apple Juice makes my daughter a crazed maniac. She can handle any other juice just fine but apple juice, even watered down, makes her so hyper and tempermental.

i BELIEVE MILK WOULD BE A BETTER IDEA THERE IS AN ENZYE IN MILK THAT MAY HELP HER DRIFT OFF TO SLEEP BETTER.. JUICE HAS SUGAR MY THINKING IS IT CHARGES HER UP FOR A 2ND WIND....HOPE THIS HELPS.

It has been proven that sugar has no effect on hyping kids up... it is a big fat myth. But it isn't good for them. Diluted juice is better than straight juice... water is good too. Milk has more naturally soothing effects though. warm milk especially. There are lots of kid teas out there too... warm is calming. No matter what make sure they brush after, of course.