THE American Academy of Pediatric strictly recommends no fruit juices for babies, absolutely no fruit juices at all, before age one, and very limited, if at all, for toddlers and older children. This is a major shift from the recommendation of the AAP some 20 years ago. The academy today also recommends doing away with the beloved sippy cup for children, which is a contributing factor in childhood obesity and T2 diabetes.
There is no evidence of any health benefit of fruit juices in infancy and the high sugar load in them is actually harmful. One of the authors of a study, Dr. Steven Abrams, Chair of Pediatrics at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas, Austin, also said “offering babies juice could keep them from getting enough breast milk or formula – and the needed protein, fat and other nutrients they contain. Once babies start eating solid foods, they should have whole fruit that is mashed or pureed, rather than juice.”
Fruit juices, which are loaded with sugar, and artificial fruit drinks, are actually unhealthy. The only worse beverages are soft drinks, which are toxic for both adults and children, increasing the risk for Metabolic Syndrome. The bad health effects are not obvious right away. They take years to manifest in various organs. By then, the damage is done, and different ailments start to appear.
Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of major risk factors that contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, T2 diabetes, thyroid problems, and even cancer. Soft drinks are inflammatory food items, like sugars and sweets.
Once babies are started on solids at 4 to 6 months old, they do not need additional liquids besides breast milk or formula. Filtered water, maybe, from time to time, but certainly not fruit juices.
For older children, the academy recommends restrictions on fruit juices, if given at all: 4 ounces daily for toddlers age 1 to 3; 6 ounces or less for 4- to 6-year-olds; and less than 8 ounces for older children and teens. Fruit juices may be omitted altogether, and instead, fresh fruits, or freshly squeezed juices, are better alternatives.
The bad thing about fruit juices from powder mixes or from concentrates, is not only because are they practically only sugar and water, and the fact that many children drink these as replacements for (and not consume) fruits and vegetables, and, therefore, miss the fiber, nutrients and vitamins in them.
The healthier drinks are clean filtered water and milk (with no sugar additive), green tea, coffee. Staying away from soft drinks and limited intake of fruit juices could also help reduce the risk for obesity.
It is best for children to develop the habit of eating fruits and vegetables, drinking water and milk at their early ages, instead of sugary fruit juice mixes, like smoothies. The healthier smoothies are made of all berries (blue, red, strawberry, raspberries), celery, spinach, pineapple, papaya, with no sugar added. Collagen protein powder may be added, especially for seniors.
Sippy cups (non-restricted sipping of sugary drinks and high risk of tooth decay among users) are bad for children; drinking from a cup is what the academy recommends. If a sippy cup is used, it should only be filled with water and or measured milk at a fixed schedule of feeding.
Risky red meat
A new clinical investigation published in the British Journal of Medicine (BMJ) reveals “the more red meat you eat, the greater your risk is of dying from one of 8 diseases.”
The research involved 536,000 men and women, ages between 50 and 71, whose diet and health were tracked for 16 years. Their food intake, total meat, processed and unprocessed red meats (beef, pork, lamb), and white meats (poultry and fish).
“Compared with the one-fifth of people who ate the least red meat, the one-fifth who ate the most had a 26 percent increased risk of death from various causes (pancreas, colon, breast, prostate, etc.). High red meat consumption increased the rate of dying, not only from cancer, but also from heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, infections, kidney disease and liver disease,” according to BMJ.
The study pointed out that white meat (fish, chicken), on the other hand, may be good for people because “those who ate the highest proportion of white meat had a 25 percent reduced risk of dying from various causes, compared with those who ate the least white meat.” (Note: Ads portraying pork meat as white meat is a lie; pork is RED meat, more dangerous than beef.)
Which fish is better?
The oily darker fleshed fish like herring and salmon are loaded with heart-healthy polyunsaturated, omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, mackerel, anchovies, shad, trout and sardines, and other fish also have these wonderful cardio-protective fatty acids. Stay away from giant or large varieties of fish, like king mackerel, shark, swordfish, large albacore tuna, which contain more methyl mercury and are therefore not recommended for consumption.
But these good fats are not the only reason why fish is better for us, compared to red meat. U.S.-FDA dietary guidelines encourage adults to partake at least 8 ounces of a variety of fish and seafood 3 times a week to benefit from the “total package of nutrients in fish.” This includes lean protein, vitamin Bs, A and D, and minerals like iodine, selenium, zinc, and iron.
Several independent studies have shown that individuals who eat fish regularly are less likely to die of a heart attack compared to those who do not eat fish. A Harvard clinical review “concluded that eating one to two servings of fish rich in omega-3s every week cut the risk of dying of a heart attack by one-third.” Those on Mediterranean style diet that includes seafood also have lower risk and rate of obesity.
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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: [email protected].
