Juicaholics

A further dilemma: artificial sweeteners
Many drinks boast no sugar or low-sugar content, but the small print on the label often reveals that they’re artificially sweetened with saccharin, aspartame or cyclamate. Critics argue that consumed in large quantities, artificial sweeteners can be harmful.

In America, products containing saccharin must be labelled with the words ‘The use of this product may be hazardous to your health. This product contains saccharin which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals’. Manufacturers in the UK point out that sweeteners have been approved by all 15 government health advisors in the EC and are perfectly safe if consumed in moderation. However, an increasing numbers of foods are artificially sweetened, including baked beans, tomato ketchup, soups, crisps and toothpastes. Look out for sweeteners in fruit flavoured ‘spring waters’ too. In the UK, artificial sweeteners aren’t permitted in any foods or drinks made for babies.

Nutritionists and dentists recommend water and milk but getting children to swallow this is easier said than done
A glass of water or milk is not an attractive option to a child when there’s a brightly coloured carton of squash or juice on offer. If you can make sure your baby gets used to drinking water and continues to do so as a toddler, you’re establishing excellent drinking habits and deserve a big pat on the back.