The Short Answer
The healthiest drinks for kids are plain water and plain pasteurized milk. In early 2025, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other leading health groups updated their guidelines to make this incredibly clear.
Every other beverageāincluding 100% fruit juice, flavored milks, and "sugar-free" drink mixesāshould be strictly limited or avoided entirely. If you need a convenient packaged drink, unsweetened fruit-infused water is your best option. Juice Vs Water For Kids
Why This Matters
Most kids' drinks are just liquid sugar in disguise. A single juice box can max out a childās daily sugar limit in just a few sips. This constant spike in empty calories is a primary driver behind rising rates of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes. Are Juice Boxes Healthy
But sugar isn't the only problem in the juice aisle. Nearly half of popular fruit juices contain dangerous levels of heavy metals. A massive Consumer Reports investigation found inorganic arsenic, lead, and cadmium in 47% of the most popular juice brands on the market. Lead In Juice Boxes
Even the "healthy" alternatives miss the mark. Diet drinks and zero-sugar mixes often rely on artificial or non-sugar sweeteners. The new 2025 pediatric guidelines explicitly warn parents to avoid these sweeteners entirely, as they can disrupt metabolism and offer no actual nutritional benefit.
What's Actually In Kids' Drinks
- Added Sugars ā The primary culprit for childhood dental cavities and metabolic issues. Even natural fruit sugars in juice strip away the fiber, acting just like cane sugar in the body. Are Juice Boxes Healthy
- Heavy Metals ā Arsenic and lead are commonly found in apple and grape juices. Because these metals exist in the soil of the orchards, they make their way into the final concentrated product. Lead In Juice Boxes
- Non-Sugar Sweeteners ā Stevia, sucralose, and erythritol are heavily used in "zero sugar" waters and drink mixes. The AAP now warns against giving these to growing children.
- Artificial Dyes ā Red 40 and Blue 1 are still common in sports drinks and fruit punches. These synthetic petroleum byproducts are linked to behavioral issues in sensitive children.
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- Zero sugar ā The ingredient label should show 0g of added sugar and no fruit juice concentrates.
- No sweeteners ā Look for products naturally flavored with fruit essences, completely free of stevia, monk fruit, or artificial sweeteners.
- Third-party testing ā Brands that transparently publish heavy metal testing results for their fruit-based products.
Red Flags:
- "100% Juice" halos ā It sounds healthy, but it still spikes blood sugar and carries a high risk of heavy metal contamination.
- Transition milks ā So-called "toddler milks" are an unnecessary marketing gimmick heavily sweetened with corn syrup solids.
- Sports drinks ā Kids don't need highly processed electrolyte drinks packed with artificial dyes for everyday hydration.
The Best Options
If you need the convenience of a juice box for a lunchbox or road trip, skip the traditional juice and look for these cleaner hydration options.
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hint | Hint Water Kids | ā | Just water and natural fruit flavor, completely free of sweeteners. |
| Honest Kids | Organic Juice Drink | ā ļø | Still contains 8g of sugar, but tested non-detect for heavy metals. Is Honest Kids Clean |
| Capri Sun | 100% Juice | š« | High sugar content and flagged for heavy metal concerns. Is Capri Sun Healthy |
| Mott's | Apple Juice | š« | Flagged by Consumer Reports for concerning heavy metal levels. |
The Bottom Line
1. Stick to water and plain milk. This is the gold-standard hydration strategy for children of all ages.
2. Skip the daily juice box. If you must serve juice, limit it to 4 ounces a day and dilute it heavily with water.
3. Avoid the "zero sugar" trap. Drinks sweetened with stevia or artificial sweeteners are not recommended by pediatricians for growing kids.
FAQ
Are organic juice boxes safer?
Organic juice contains just as many heavy metals as conventional juice. The arsenic and lead come from the soil where the fruit is grown, not from pesticides, so the organic label doesn't protect your child against heavy metal contamination.
What about toddler transition milks?
Toddler milks are a marketing gimmick loaded with added sugar. The AAP recommends skipping them entirely and switching directly to plain whole cow's milk (or an unsweetened fortified soy alternative) at 12 months.
Can kids drink sports drinks after playing outside?
Most kids do not need electrolyte drinks. Unless your child is sweating heavily for over an hour in extreme heat, plain water and a healthy snack will replenish their body perfectly without the added sugar and artificial dyes.