Yikes! I just dumped a whole container of apple juice down the sink because Consumer Reports posted high levels of detected arsenic and lead in this particular brand (among others). Usually I don't buy too much into food scares, but Consumer Reports generally has my respect (though I remember they goofed some baby seat testing a couple years back).
I already water down DS's juice pretty heavily when he's home and limit it to snack time only, but I send him to school with a juice box every day. Wondering now if I should just reserve juice for very special occasions. Personally, I'm not a juice person at all but DS does love it.
What drinks do you pack in your kid's lunchbox? He does take a container of water as well, but always complains that he doesn't like water.
That's weird - I searched the site and I'm not pulling up much? Must be searching under the wrong terminology.
Grape juice is apparently a big culprit too - UGH! They recommend no more than 4-6 oz a day, so the every other day thing is a good idea. I might go with one of those shelf milks like Horizon, but I'm worried he will only go for the chocolate. Maybe OJ? I hate that you can't trust anything you eat anymore.
UPDATE: Liking the ice in the thermos idea! :)
I give my daughter juice with her lunch (Juicy Juice brand). It usually comes back almost full since I have her keep water bottles in her cubby. She will usually drink the water instead.
Of course DS loves juice - Juice is really the same thing as soda, except that it's not carbonated. it's not good for you at all, really. Watering it down is good - keep doing that.
I hate regular water - especially when it's not ice cold. So, I bring a thermos of mainly ice and by lunch it's just the right temp. You can also flavor it for him - my daughter likes hers flavored with cucumber.... wierd I know. But tell him you guys are going to make your own kind of juice.
Maybe he would drink "hot" water - flavored with ginger and lemon? you just do a thermos of hot water and cut off a bit of ginger and a bit of lemon and put in there. It's pretty good.
I did get the 'raging waves' juice boxes for my daughter's lunch box when she was younger. They are watered down juice boxes that I don't think are even made from real "juice" so they aren't as sugary. They wouldn't have the arsenic issue, if you are worried about that.
personally - (and I bang this drum alot) I wouldn't be worried about arsenic in juice when there are SO many other things to worry about. Also, look up the reason why ice cream doesn't cystalize - you'll find most contain a substance very similar to anti-freeze. Or look up what's in a hot dog..... on 2nd thought, don't. you'll vomit.
My point is...... if you follow the rule everything in moderation, well then you won't have a problem.
I know he doesn't like water. I hate to walk on the treadmill. But I do it, because our bodies need exercise. :-( So, he's 4.... he can learn that in life he will have to do some things he doesn't want to do because they are good for you. harsh, I know.
Arsenic is naturally occuring in apple seeds. We grew up with it and I'm 'fairly' normal. Not a huge fan of juice, either, but I won't be an alarmist.
We only do grape juice in our house, and definitely not every day. Maybe ever other day they get 4-6 oz of grape juice. My husband's a doctor and told me a few years ago that there was no reason to ever give them apple juice, but grape juice has anti-inflammatory properties, so he is ok with that, in moderation.
You could also do non-refrigerated milk, like Horizon, which is specially pasteurized and can be kept at room temperature until it has been opened.
My daughter doesn't like the taste of Horizon milk so I fill a beverage container with milk and put it in her lunch with an ice pack. She's happy and it's a lot cheaper.
Let me start off by saying that I only skimmed the article you mentioned. But my understanding is that some of the arsenic and lead found in the juices is actually from the water supply that the juice manufacturers are using. Most bottled juices are reconstituted from concentrated fruit juices. So not only do you need to worry about the fruit having contaminants, but also the water sources, lead in piping at the manufacturing plant and distribution system. Don't forget about the bottles themselves.
It's all a little much for me. If I'm thirsty for juice, I drink it.
Yes maam. You can do a search to see the answers.
I was watching Dr. Oz the other day on some talk show, and he said basically don't fret.... you would have to drink like 2 gallons per day to even get enough of it for it to do anything to your body. Just don't overdue it. A couple of oz. a day is fine. Think about it... you could find something wrong with everything we put in our bodies or breathe in everyday! It is good for our bodies to get a little bit of "bab" stuff in our bodies... it is what keeps our immune systems working! Everything in moderation! We are going to make ourselves more sick by worrying about everything. I grew up eating hot dogs (still do- just not a ton) and yes, my kids drink juice... usually watered down and juice boxes for lunch... milk with dinner. They are just fine!
