Leading Health Organizations Support First-Ever Consensus Recommendations to Encourage Young Children’s Consumption of Healthy Drinks

(Princeton, NJ) — Leading medical and nutrition organizations recommend breast milk, infant formula, water, and plain milk as part of a new set of comprehensive beverage recommendations for young children (birth through age 5). They caution against beverages that are sources of added sugars in young children’s diets, including flavored milk, and sugar- and low-calorie sweetened beverages, in addition to a wide variety of beverages that are targeted to children, such as toddler formulas, caffeinated beverages, and plant-based/non-dairy milks which provide no unique nutritional value.

The recommendations were developed as part of a collaboration by experts at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy), American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Heart Association (AHA) under the leadership of Healthy Eating Research (HER), a leading nutrition research organization, and with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).

To develop the evidence-based recommendations, HER conducted an extensive review of scientific literature, existing guidelines from national and international bodies, and reports on early childhood beverage consumption. It also convened an expert panel of representatives from AAP, AHA, the Academy, and AAPD and a scientific advisory committee whose members discussed and reviewed the preliminary and final recommendations. Panelists and committee members were experts in pediatrics, early childhood nutrition, dentistry, and dietary and nutrition guidance.

The full guidelines and accompanying technical report can be found at: healthydrinkshealthykids.org