The Juice Trap

When we first started using daycare, our provider, who is full of words of wisdom said "Juice is a trap that parents fall into."  We listened to her words but eventually we fell into the trap anyway.  

What got me thinking about this was that one of my neighbors was over for dinner the other night and she said that she doesn't keep juice in the house so her kids hardly ever drink it.  Wow!  She doesn't buy juice!  At all???  I'm impressed!

It's not that I have a problem with juice in general.  100% juice has some nutritional value, right?  The problem I have is that once you start buying it, the kids think they need to have it everyday.  Like it's some kind of 'right' they have. (or are my kids just incredibly headstrong?) 

Have you fallen into the juice trap?   Other than banning it from the house altogether, you might want to consider these tips for managing the flow:   

• Buy 100% juice only.  Juice 'drinks' are loaded with corn syrup, other added sugars, artificial flavors and colors.
• Water down the juice.  I still do this most of the time even though my kids are older.  Straight juice seems SO sweet and they seem to like the less concentrated version just as much.
• Keep in mind that an official serving of juice is only 4 ounces (and most sippy cups are more than that!)
• Skip the juice boxes and pouches - they are not recyclable in most areas and who needs all that packaging going straight to the garbage heap?
• If you can afford organic, go for it because it's better for both health and the environment.
• Limit juice to once a day - OJ with breakfast perhaps?  (this is the one I'm still struggling with!)

Why am I rambling on about juice?  Well, I'm wondering what other parents do.   Do you skip juice altogether?  Is juice a special treat that you only have occasionally?  Or do you consider it a healthy alternative to soda and energy drinks?