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Best Beginner Juice

Offering more than great taste, Welch's 100% White Grape Juice is the best beginner juice for your child!

A significant number of clinical studies have looked at the comparative digestibility of white grape juice versus apple juice or pear juice. These three juices were chosen because they are most commonly given as a beginner juice for children and also because there is a noticeable difference between white grape juice and apple or pear juice. White grape juice is sobitol-free, while apple and pear juices are not. Sorbitol is a natural carbohydrate that is difficult for the body to absorb, particularly in the delicate systems of infants and toddlers. White grape juice also has an even balance of the natural sugars fructose and glucose, while apple and pear juices have an uneven balance. Overwhelmingly, the body of research suggests that infants and toddlers–typically "juice beginners"– have an easier time absorbing juice that has an even balance of natural sugars and is sorbitol-free. White grape juice clearly fits this profile.

What does this mean to you? It means that as your young child is ready to begin drinking juice, you should consider starting him or her on a juice you know is the most likely to be digested easily–white grape juice.

• Improved Digestion with White Grape Juice – When young stomachs are unable to absorb carbohydrates like sorbitol or excess fructose, a number of symptoms may present themselves, including gas, bloating, difficulty sleeping after feeding, painful discomfort, crying and diarrhea. Results of improved digestibility with white grape juice versus other clear juices like apple and pear have been attributed to the differences in carbohydrate profiles of the juices.1,2
• Better Tolerance after Recovery from Diarrhea when Drinking White Grape Juice – Research showed during the recovery period following diarrhea, infants drinking white grape juice fared significantly better than those drinking apple juice, with less total stool output and fewer recurrences of diarrhea.1
• Infants with a History of Colic Often have a Harder Time Digesting Certain Juices – Young children who have had colic are often more sensitive to the carbohydrate composition of juices.18 The symptoms of carbohydrate malabsorption–the clinical term for a child's inability to digest carbohydrates like sorbitol and fructose–are much like those of colic and can include acute lower stomach pain, gas and bloating. If your child has a history of colic, be sure to choose white grape juice as the beginner juice. Selecting the right juice may remain important even later in life–sometimes even into early adulthood.3
• Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome may be Alleviated by Switching from Apple to White Grape Juice – Even older children with a history of GI disorders can be sensitive to the carbohydrate composition of juices. Small dietary changes, like switching to white grape juice, may offer significant improvements.6

100% Juice and a Healthy Diet for Children

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting to introduce juice until your child is at least 6 months old, preferable waiting until your child is 1 year old.4 It is important to serve your child only 100% juice and not juice drinks that have added sugar. Start your child with juice served in a cup, not in a bottle. The AAP recommends limiting 100% juice consumption to 4-6 ounces of juice per day for children one to six years old, and 8-12 ounces per day for children 7-18 years of age.

• 100% Juice Counts Towards Servings of Fruit – 100% juices can certainly be part of a healthy pediatric diet and do count toward servings of fruit. Just 4 ounces of 100% juice counts as one serving (or 1/2 cup) of fruit. 100% juices should not replace intake of whole fruits and vegetables, however, and must be consumed in moderation, like any food. 100% juice is an excellent complement to whole fruit and vegetable consumption – a great way to help your child get more fruit servings and get more fruit and phytonutrient variety. The AAP recommends that no more than half of the recommended fruit intake come from 100% juices.
• Data shows 100% Juice Drinkers have Healthier Diets – A recent analysis of government data revealed that children who consumed 100% juices had healthier diets overall than their non-juice consuming counterparts. Children 2-18 who drank 100% juice also consumed more fruits, more whole grains, and more key nutrients such as Vitamin C and potassium. This group also had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) than the non-juice drinkers.5 Thus, 100% juice is a nutritious choice for children and it can play an important role in a balanced, healthy diet.

Not all White Grape Juices are the Same

Everyone wants what is best for their children and choosing a juice should be no different. But, just because another juice is called "white grape" doesn't mean it is 100% white grape juice. So, be sure to check the label - it should say 100% juice. And look at the ingredient list - make sure you are getting all white grape juice.

And remember to make it Welch's 100% White Grape Juice. We make our White Grape Juice with our own delicious Niagara grapes that are abundant in natural antioxidants-an important part of everyone's diet, young or old. The Niagara grape juice used to make Welch's 100% White Grape Juice has more antioxidant power than orange juice or apple juice! And, other white grape juices, because they are usually made from seedless grape varieties, don't even come close.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until your young child is at least 6 months old before introducing juice. Their website is www.aap.org.

Fast Facts

On the go, or just want to share some of this good news with a friend? Here are some additional informational materials in an easy-to-print format:

Baby's First Juice Brochure - an educational brochure on the best beginner juice.

First Year Foods - an informational guide on introducing solid foods and beverages to your baby.

Antioxidant Comparison Chart - an easy-to-print chart comparing the antioxidant power of various juices.