Are Tetrapacked juices safe?

By Sanjana - Dietitian on November 14, 2008 in Food

Fruit juices — especially those marketed in tetra packs — an increasingly favorite beverage among young children and frequently replaced water and milk.
In addition to altering the diet’s nutrient content, excessive intake of fruit juices can affect the absorption of carbohydrates and cause persistent, nonspecific diarrhea.
Excessive consumption of fruit juices [about 350-850ml per day] may cause failure to thrive in toddlers. Excess fruit juice intake by young preschool children may replace the consumption of higher energy foods and decrease a child’s appetite resulting in decreased food intake and poor growth. Combined with physical activity, consumption of large volumes of juice may constitute or sustain an overweight condition in children.
Fruit juice consumption should be limited to four — six oz daily for infants older than six months of age in toddlers. Older children and adolescents should drink no more than 6-12 oz per day. Remember, fresh fruit juices are best. Most fruit juices being sold in India are not ‘real’ juices are made from concentrate with lots of added sugar.

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About Sanjana - Dietitian

A dietitian from Mangalore, India. A post graduate diploma holder in “Dietetics” and a university topper from Welcomgroup School of Hotel Administration from the prestigious Manipal University. At present working as a Dietitian for the Manipal Group of Hospitals namely KMC hospital Mangalore, India. Consultant for corporates like Infosys and others, conducting talks and presentations for various associations and local television shows.

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6 Responses to Are Tetrapacked juices safe?

Malar April 30, 2010 at 8:03 am #
Dear Ms. Sanjana,
I do give my son ( 3yrs)fruit juice in the evening during our tea break. Arround 1/2 cup ( thick juice).Is it safe? Some say mango juice is not good for toddler. Is this true?
Sanjana - Dietitian May 6, 2010 at 11:53 am #
Hi Malar,
No fruit juice can cause any problems unless you see any visible symptoms. Rather than fruit juices which are high on sugar, try to give fruits to your son, as fruits are higher in fiber and low in sugar while juices give too much of sugar and very little fiber.
Malar May 21, 2010 at 12:57 pm #
Dear Ms.Sanjana,
Thanks for your reply. If i make a fresh fruit juice using juicer, it is ok? What i mean on above mail was i blend the fruit in juicer and give the juice to my son. Thank you so much for your reply.
hiralal September 19, 2010 at 4:02 pm #
Dear Ms. Sanjana,
Many of the brands in the market now-a-days claim that their products are ’100% juice’ and there are no additives or preservatives. Can we trust them ? Actually I have become used to drinking lots of packaged juices in my diet. Also I dont feel very sure whether they contain the nutrition which they claim. Shouldn’t i completely give up the packed juices….???
Sanjana - Dietitian September 19, 2010 at 9:54 pm #
Dear Hiralal,
No product can be maintained without preservatives, so please do not believe what they say. Drinking too much of juices is not good for health as they are high in calories and can increase your triglycerides, which increases your chances of developing diabetes.
You can have juices post exercise when you need to energy or if dehydrated otherwise stick to eating fruits…
pritesh July 7, 2011 at 3:22 am #
Dear Sanjana..
I am 22 years old and i drink real tetra-pack juices everyday and my weight from 6 years is between 53-55. i eat alot but don’t no why my weights doesn’t get low and it also doesnt get high …
can u help me