Who's Thirsty?

My kids drink milk at all meals and occasionally we have juice instead with a meal. Maximum one juice drink a day. If they are thirsty they drink water. Both have water cups in the kitchen and they fill it up whenever they are thirsty. My kids are almost 7 year old boy and almost 4 year old girl. I do occasionally make them tea or hot chocolate as a treat.

My fridge had the water dispenser and my kids pretty much only drank water (I didnt do soda for my kids till they were in highschool and even then it made me cringe). There was always a pitcher of tea in the fridge if they wanted something other than water. I had apple, orange, cranberry or grape juice in the fridge at all times as well. They had milk with dinner.

I only give 100% fruit juice (limited amounts due to sugar), milk or water. On special occasions they can have caffeine free soda or the juice drinks.

I know it is a little more expensive than Kool-Aid but like you said there's too much sugar in it. Thankfully, both of my kids are big water and milk drinkers so we don't go thru that much juice anyway.

We drink water with our meals. Except breakfast. then it is small glass of milk and a piece of fruit or a small glass of juice. Otherwise lunch and diner is a big pitcher of water set on the table and that is it...no one needs un needed calories at meal time. This is when your nutrition and calories need to be spent on health foods.
And yes, you will have resistance at first but everyone gets used to it after a while. They say everything takes three weeks to get used to it, so give it three weeks befre you give up.

Milk! Water! Kool aid is fine, but water it down a bit. Juice (100% juice) is fine too, but again, watered down just a bit for the older kids.
Gatoraid/poweraid is BAD for blood sugar levels and should ONLY be consumed while playing active sports. Soft drinks are bad too and that habit should be broken. Occasionally they are ok, but don't buy them and they won't have them accessable.

Kids ages 6 and 8 - they drink milk with breakfast and dinner, juice with lunch and any other time, they drink water. Drinks are for hydrating the body, not for calories.

My kids drink water, milk, 100% fruit juice. Sometimes they drink tea. My oldest (7) has only recently started ordering cola sometimes when we go out to eat. I'm not a huge fan of that, but once in a while is okay. The three year old drinks mostly milk and water, mainly because she can reach the water dispenser on the fridge and get her own drink. She loves strawberry milk the best. She also occasionally has Sprite or the equivalent.

Milk 2-3 times a day at most (more now for my adolescent daughter, she needs 3-4), 100% juice once a day, and water. We do have soda once in a while (more often when my husband gets his way, lol), and power-ade from time to time. But for the most part, if I hear "I'm thirsty" the answer is "have some water"

hi lyon-

Here we drink milk or orange juice (typically at breakfast) for meals. I allow cider for the teens as a sometimes dinner treat. Beyond that there is always water...and some of the kids enjoy tea. "Sports drinks" are reserved for practices and games. Soda is a RARE treat for them...and never diet.

I must be the classic example of 'do as I say...not as I do' as I drink coffee...diet cola...and wine! lol *milk in the coffee of course...*

But even the 'older' ones in college seem to prefer the more 'appropriate'/healthier beverages...

Best Luck!
michele/cat

My 16 yr old drinks a lot of water. She prefers milk at mealtime. She drinks Simply Orange or Apple juice.

She is a cheerleader and trains privately and when she is training heavily, she will drink some gatorade, muscle milk and water.

We rarely drink sodas or koolaid... they are full of sugar and just not something we choose to put in our system.

Milk, chocolate milk, REAL juice blends, and water. I will buy a case of root beer for the week and they have to make it last or go without.

I suggest you try giving them water with a splash of juice or lemonade in it. I understand that since they are accustomed to drinking sugary drinks it might be hard to get them to switch to plain water so adding a little bit of juice or lemonade to water would make it easier and tastier. If they don't like that you can also try making decaffeinated iced tea with a little bit of sugar. If you brew the iced tea yourself with decaffeinated tea bags you can regulate how much sugar you add and perhaps gradually decrease the amount of sugar over time. I wish you luck with finding healthy alternatives to Kool-Aid and Gatoraid/Powerade.

I have a 2 y/o and a 4 month old. Lil baby is BF :)
My son drinks mostly water, juice & milk.
I try my best to keep things like pop, kool aid fake juices etc out of my house all together.
Thankfully my lil man loves water. Every once in a while, for a special treat I will give him a little bit of chocolate milk. I make the choco syrup from scratch.
As he grows that might change. I really try my best to limit his sugar intake, he only gets thinks like cookies, candies etc every once in a while.

I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. They primarily drink juice, water and the Capri Sun Water/Juice blends. As a special treat, the 4 year old is allowed a Coke, Fanta, Ginger Ale, Sprite or even a Diet Coke (he sees me drink them). He usually can't finish a whole can, so we normally get these for him if we're out to dinner and he can get a small kid's fountain cup. Like you, I'm not excited about artificial sweeteners for any of us (I have started limiting my Diet Coke addiction to 1 a day), so I had rather he drink the real deal with sugar -just a small amount of it and for special treats. As they both age, I know they'll want to drink more sodas, but we really push plain water around our house and lemonade too. I've already started including sodas in my advice about sweets in general -too much sugar makes you feel bad and makes you slow. WAY too much can even make you very, very sick! I was excited that the oldest has started loving unsweetened berry flavored teas that I make and chill!

kids that age should be drinking milk and lots of water.The gatorade/powerade should be used when they have been running or participating in sports. They are designed to replace electrolytes and also have a LOT of sugar. the difference in their growth rates may be genetically determined - if the younger one is growing up AND out, he probably needs less sugar, more water and more exercise.

I don't allow my boys to drink things high in sugar or with ANY artificial sweeteners. They drink 100% juice, milk, lots of water, tea, and an occasional Gatorade.
I would suggest cutting out the Kool-aid completely and adding water and juice.

I've stuck with what our pediatrician told us 10 years ago when my daughter was born and still tells us today: Lots of water, milk, and calcium-fortified orange juice. My daughter has Fruitables fruit juice boxes in her lunch at school maybe twice a week, three times some weeks, and that's the only other fruit juice she wants (she doesn't like apple juice, probably because I never gave it to her as a kid, and I didn't give it to her because the pediatrician said it's basically sugar water -- natural sugar, sure, but very little real nutritional value though kids just love the sweetness). My mom gave my daughter a taste of Coke when my daughter was three and she hated it -- she said "It's HOT!" because the carbonation seemed "hot" to her! She still can't stand the thought of drinking anything fizzy, which is fine by me though I love the occasional Coke! My daughter will have lemonade in the summer at a picnic, maybe. I know she likes Hawaiian Punch after having it at birthday parties, which is OK there, but we never have it at home -- it's just sugar and coloring so I figure I won't put any temptation in the house.

I know you're worried about the artificial sweeteners, but the "real" sugars (and dyes, and other chemicals) in Kool-aid and "sports drinks" have issues too. Some kids are sensitive or even allergic to food dyes and the colored drinks are loaded with them. And Gatorade, Powerade etc. are designed for athletes who are depleting large amounts of body minerals and salts through serious exercise, not for kids as a sweet treat. Maybe try the all-natural lower-sugar fruit blends like Fruitables instead, and control the intake; that's easier when it's in a small juice box rather than in a big jug that lets kids pour huge glasses for themselves. Calcium-fortified OJ is a great thing too, though you may want to water it down some; it can get very thick and my daughter does ask me to water it a little at times. It packs the double punch of calcium and vitamin C. But don't go for those fake-OJ-wannabes like Sunny Delight -- they say they have lots of added vitamins but they also contain extra sweeteners and junk that real OJ won't have.

We drink water for the most part. Additionally, my son takes a water bottle to school each day. It's just what we prefer and we got him started at a young age on water. I agree about the calories of the beverages you mention.. they will definitely pack on the pounds and quickly... We continually watch my son's weight , which is another reason why we don't have soda in the house... maybe you can trade out things slowly.. example.. what about buying carbonated water and adding for example a little frozen lemonade. This makes a tasty treat and by doing it yourself, you can monitor the sugar intake.. The frozen lemonade adds a little sweet and punch to the carbonated water.. so if it's sweet your kids are after, that could do the trick... you could also add frozen O.J. or welchs grape. I don't do many juices but on occasion when we've had people over whose kids like juice this is what we do and they seem to enjoy...
best of luck

My children are 8 and 5 (the one's that drink, that is...the 5 week old doesn't really factor in, does she?). They are allowed to drink milk and water. On occasion (less than once a week) they are allowed to have sprite, apple juice (we are not huge juice drinkers though), agua de horchata (rice water) and that's it! Kool-aid is awful!! You make it mama, you see all the sugar you have to add to it. Gatorade and powerade really aren't all that great for you either. Lots of sugar, lots of high fructose corn syrup. I say, limit the "treat drinks" to once a week or so and have those kids drinking water and milk! If it's not in the house they can't drink it, so stop buying it.
Good Luck, it may get a little hairy since they are used to it!
L.

We drink water, milk and occasionally orange juice just on the weekends. the kids dont really need those sugar drinks.

we do drink the sugar drinks when we are camping or hiking but that is the only time..usually in the summer.

Sorry I'm late to answering but after reading all these other answers I thought I'd add mine...... My son is 12 and he drinks milk or chocolate milk with meals (choc milk with lunch), occasionally orange juice. During the day though he tends to drink gatorade. If we go out to eat or a party he drinks sodas, usually coke. When participating in sports I bring water. My girls are 9 and they don't like soda at all. They drink milk at all meals, V8 Fusion juice some mornings. One loves water the other likes Propel (flavored water). They eat healthy and excercise lots so I've never been overly concerned, although I'm sure they need more water.

There isn't any reason for kids to have kool-aid or gatoraid or really even juice, although that is far preferable to the other two. The other drinks, even with no "artificial sweeteners" have high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors (red #40 being the most prominent) which are made from petroleum and have adverse effects on behavior and overall health. Many kids who suffer symptoms of ADHD, etc are doing so because of these ingredients. The high amount of sugar in these drinks also leads to candida (yeast) overgrowth in the body, which contributes to everything from weight gain to lethargy to chronic sickness/compromised immune function.

We do water, diluted juice (100%, all natural) and almond milks fortified w/calcium and vit D. No soda, ever.

It's terrible that kids are so surrounded by so many poor choices - it makes it very difficult for parents to direct them to the healthy ones! You'll notice a huge difference if/when you choose to eliminate additives, art. colors/flavors and processed sugars.

Good luck!

My kids (ages 4 & 6) drink mostly water; if milk is on sale, I will get that and let them have one cup apiece per day (maybe more if we make it into hot chocolate, but I'm not big on cow's milk for human children); they also usually get one cup of juice per day, which I'd like to get them off of because I don't like that it's so much sugar, even if it is "natural" sugar. Occasionally (at parties, church lunches and functions, weddings, the rare long trip where we get fast-food on the way, things like that), they'll get lemonade, caffeine-free soft drinks or Kool-Aid.

It may be tough to transition them off flavored sugar-water (which is what most beverages are, if you look at it that way), if they're used to drinking it, but I think they should be encouraged to drink water. It's just not a healthy life-habit to always drink flavored stuff, especially when there are concerns about artificial sweeteners (I have those concerns too!), and sugar just contributes to the obesity epidemic.

In regards to the differences in the two boys (I'm assuming they're biological brothers, and not that you just happen to be adopting two unrelated boys at the same time), I wouldn't worry too much about it, although if you're worried, you can bring it up at the next doctor's visit. I've known many sets of siblings, both boys and girls, in which the younger child outgrew the older one. [In fact, I rather suspect that my boys may be doing the same in a few years. They're 19 months apart in age, and the younger one has consistently outgrown clothes that are "his size" for his age before the older one has outgrown clothes that are *his* size. My 4-y/o is outgrowing his size 4s, but my 6-y/o can still wear many of his size 5s, and some of the size 6s are too big for him.] It may make the sibling rivalry that much worse, as the older one tries to retain his "natural" higher rank due to his age, while the younger one seeks to take that rank due to his size, but I don't know that it's a health concern.

My kids are younger, but I also feel the pull here : ) Mine are 3 and 4 so we don't drink soda (none in the house as my husband and I stopped drinking it for health and financial reasons) I agree with you the artificial stuff is worse than real sugar. I also stick to more natural juices vs. high fructose corn syrup stuff. I water down juice ALOT too. I'd slowly start to remove some of the sugar options... I like the idea someone had below... buy fewer and when they are gone it's milk or water. They are old enough to learn to control the amounts per day. Or you could just tell them you are cutting back and limit the amount of these drinks they have per day. I know sugar is bad for body and teeth, but don't stress too much - I'm still alive and think we drank lots of sugar (I have to admit).

Updated

My kids are younger, but I also feel the pull here : ) Mine are 3 and 4 so we don't drink soda (none in the house as my husband and I stopped drinking it for health and financial reasons) I agree with you the artificial stuff is worse than real sugar. I also stick to more natural juices vs. high fructose corn syrup stuff. I water down juice ALOT too. I'd slowly start to remove some of the sugar options... I like the idea someone had below... buy fewer and when they are gone it's milk or water. They are old enough to learn to control the amounts per day. Or you could just tell them you are cutting back and limit the amount of these drinks they have per day. I know sugar is bad for body and teeth, but don't stress too much - I'm still alive and think we drank lots of sugar (I have to admit).

My granddaughter is 16, and drinks pure tea. She wakes up, uses her tiny coffee maker to make tea, puts it in her tumbler, goes to school, comes home, fixes more if there isnt any in the fridge. Shes been drinking tea a lot since she was small, her mother and stepdad never allowed them to drink much soda.
She also prefers raw suger over anything, says artificial sweetners hurt her teeth, and just wont use white suger.
She drinks peppermint decaf tea in the evenings, and earl grey/british breakfast tea in the morning, and what she calls "Southern tea" any other part of the day

Gatorade & Powerade are sports drinks and should be used as such, they are very high in sodium for everyday drinking.

We do milk, water and 100% juice. But honestly, our son never wants juice so my husband and I drink it. Sometimes our 1 year old daughter gets a little juice if she is a bit constipated. So...really our kids only drink water and milk. But some kinds waaaaaant sweet drinks and if you have kids like that you have to set limits. We don't buy soft drinks bc my husband and I don't drink them, but occasionally if we go out to eat our son is allowed to get one.

don't forget that kool aid is loaded with sugar. just remember moderation. R.

My kids have 1/2 juice and 1/2 water, and they prefer it that way. Otherwise I think the taste is a bit too intense. Other than that, they get milk, water, Ovaltine (less powder than recommended) if it's a special occasion, or natural sodas. Izze is a great brand, as is most of the Jones sodas. Check to make sure that there are no added artificial colors, but I really like them. My family tends to bug out a bit if there is high fructose corn syrup, so we avoid that.

My son drinks milk and water daily. Occasionally he has 100% juice (dilluted with water - about half) or lemonade (at church dinners - it's either that or tea so I pick sugar over caffiene), but not very often. He also gets strawberry or choclate milk or hot chocolate now and then. No soda, Gatorade/Powerade, or Kool-Aid.

Mine are 15, 13, and 10.

They are allowed to have pop when we go out for dinners or on the weekends. THey must always ask, or I dont' buy anymore. No caffeine though.

They are allowed one large 13 oz cup of milk at lunch and one at dinner, then they drink water.

They are allowed juice, but dont' drink it.

And they can have as much water as they want.

I do not buy Gatorade, KoolAid, Tang, or fancy anything.
I have Dr Pepper for me, Sprite or Slice, sometimes orange pop.

My boys are 6 and 2. They drink milk with meals and water when they are thirsty. They occasionally get hot cocoa or sugar free chocolate syrup in their milk. And once in a while they get root beer, but it's typically only in the house after a bbq/party. The only juice we keep around the house is the V8 fruit fusions and they both love it.

We drink water, milk, flavored soy milk and crystal light watered down by double.
The crystal light is more for weekends and after school snack time. Soy milk/milk is breakfast and water all other times.
Hope that helps a bit.:)

MY son had terrible acid reflux as an infant and still has sensitivities to certain foods. Juice and soda will give him diarrhea like you have never seen. Even just a small amount even diluted. He loves it but can't have it. We have made it a point to not drink soda in front of him and never drink juice. My son only gets water and white milk (sugar sets him off too, so chocolate is also out of the question).
I also have weight issues my mom was just plain lazy and would load us up on McDonalds and soda. I used to drink at least 3 sodas a day as a child. Old habits die hard and I don't want my son facing the same issues I do so even though it's hard milk and water are all he gets and we all have adjusted to it.

9 times outta 10 the beverage in my kids' hands (10 & 5) is water or milk. We occasionally have mango juice or orange juice in the house as a treat. Sometimes, after a big game, the older one has a gatorade (gag) but never the 5 yr old. And on special occasions (birthday party, etc.), they can have a root beer or minute made soda.

I would say to limit intake of sugary drinks. Have them drink more water and drink less sugary drinks. May be have the one who is not growing as well to drink some pediasure. I do juice but I water it down and milk and water are the two other things my son drinks. Make sure they are getting some veggies. Baby carrotts,cut up red peppers. Use ranch dressing to dip them in. Do not let them fill up on drinks.