Growing up, I was addicted to apple juice. I couldn’t digest milk, and back in the 80’s, milk alternatives like Almond milk and Coconut milk weren’t readily available.
I can still remember being served sippy cups of those giant cans of apple juice that you had to pierce open with a special tool. Little did my parents realize that one single cup of that golden juice contains a whopping 23 grams of sugar.
The American Heart Association recommends children consume no more than 12-25 grams (3-6 tsp) of sugar a day, depending on their age. Now couple this with the fact that the average child is consuming anywhere from 12-34 teaspoons (48-136 grams) of sugar in one day. (1)
Let’s face it, children are becoming addicted to sugar starting at very young ages.
From sugary soft drinks to fruit juice and flavored milk, most kids are drinking their daily calorie requirements in on top of the high amounts of sugar in their foods.
High intakes of sugar are contributing to the increasing pandemics of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, behavioral health issues, and more.
The key to preventing the alarming health tragedies we are seeing in children is to limit the
Signs & Symptoms of Toxicity in Kids
- frequent colds and infections
- constipation
- bloating and gas
- chronic runny nose and excessive mucus
- allergies
- headaches
- fatigue
- aches and pains
- nausea
- skin issues (rashes, eczema, breakouts)
- food cravings
- low energy
- bad breath
- mood swings
- behavioral issues
Benefits of Detox Water for Kids
Aside from sugar, children are exposed to a number of toxins on a daily basis. Environmental pollution, pesticides, heavy metals, food preservatives, and other harmful chemicals are abundant in the world we live in, and children are at an even greater risk than adults.
Toxins enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or contact with the skin, and are stored in the various tissues and cells within the body.
As levels of toxins continue to build in the body, they have numerous harmful effects on metabolism, digestion, immunity, reproduction, mental health, behavior, learning, and the ability to fight free radicals that can cause cancer.
Incorporating detox water can be a great way to reduce toxic load in children, and to gently detox the body from harmful toxins now before they lead to major health problems down the road.
Many toxic ingredients in foods that children commonly eat can make troublesome behavior worse. Food additives like artificial colors and sweeteners have been linked to developmental delays, temper tantrums, and behavioral issues.
These types of foods can increase symptoms in children with behavioral and developmental disorders (such as autism, ADD/ADHD, ODD, SPD, and many others).
Incorporating detox water can be a great way to naturally support kids with behavioral disorders. Studies have shown that children with ADHD and Autism have altered metabolic pathways, making them more susceptible to the accumulation of toxins in their bodies.
Drinking more fluids is also very helpful for children who are struggling with constipation.
By adding natural flavoring to water using foods like lemon, lime, orange, cucumber, or mint, children are much more likely to drink ample amounts of water
How to Make Detox Water
Detox water is simply water that is infused with a combination of sliced vegetables, fruit, herbs, and spices.
Once you’ve chosen your ingredients, simply add them to a glass or mason jar along with filtered water, cover, and allow to steep in the refrigerator overnight or for up to 24 hours.
There are also water infusers that make the whole process easy by placing the fruit or veggies in a porous tube that will infuse the flavors but allow you to remove them easily. This also prevents any tiny pieces of fiber (think orange juice pulp) from getting into the water for those kids with sensory issues.
Play around with different ingredients to find the ones that your littles like best. Kids have taste buds that are still developing and may be more sensitive to stronger flavors.
Don’t lose hope if they turn up their noses the first time they try this new beverage. It can take up to 20 times of trying a new food for children to acquire new tastes.
Just keep offering sips here and there, and be sure to let them see you drinking infused waters too – one important tip for helping picky eaters to be willing to try new foods is for parents to eat the foods with them! Monkey-see monkey-do?
For kids who are used to the ultra-sweet tastes of fruit juice or soda, go slow and start with diluted versions of each drink. Instead of offering a cup of juice in the morning, dilute it with ¼ detox water and ¾ of their typical drink. Gradually increase the water amount and decrease the juice amount until you are no longer adding any juice at all.
Detox Water Recipes:
Citrus Sunshine
Citrus Sunshine is a great detox water to start with for kids because it has fruity flavors that are naturally on the sweeter side, but without any added sugar. Citrus is also an excellent source of Vitamin C, so this beverage makes a great immune booster too!
To make Citrus Sunshine water, add the following ingredients to a glass jar or container:
- 2 slices of orange
- 2 slices of lemon
- 2 slices of lime
- 500 mL of water
Be sure to remove the white part that is under the peel as it can be very bitter. Cover the jar and let it steep in the fridge, covered, for 12-24 hours. Removing the fruit slices before drinking is optional.
Melon-Mint-Madness
Melon-Mint-Madness introduces an herb that kids may or may not have ever tried (other than in toothpaste) paired with an all-time kid favorite – watermelon! The subtle sweetness mixed with a burst of minty freshness is a great combination that has the added benefit of soothing an upset tummy.
To make Melon-Mint-Madness, simply add the following ingredients to a glass or jar:
- 2-4 large chunks of watermelon
- 2-3 mint leaves
- 1-2 slices of lime (optional)
- 500 mL of water
Allow the ingredients to steep for 12-24 hours, and then remove them prior to serving (watermelon can leave a lot of fibrous residue).
Berry Burst
For a detox water that is bursting with flavors that kids tend to love, Berry Burst is a great choice! Berries are loaded with antioxidants and are also high in immune-boosting Vitamin C.
To make this colorful water (berries usually turn the water purple or pink), simply add the following ingredients to a glass jar or container:
- 5 raspberries (fresh or frozen)
- 3 strawberries, cut in half (fresh or frozen)
- 10-15 blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1-2 slices of grapefruit (optional)
- 500 mL of water
Steep the water for 12-24 hours before serving. Removing the berries is optional, and many kids may like the look of berries floating in their water! As long as the water was kept in the fridge, it is totally fine if they want to eat the berries too!
Cucs -A-Hoy
Cucumbers are a crunchy veggie that many children love. Dipped in hummus, on a salad, or in this Cucs-A-Hoy detox water recipe. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, this is one beverage you can feel good about serving your littles!
To prepare, simply slice up thin sections of the following ingredients and place in a glass jar:
- 6 slices of cucumber
- 2 slices of lemon
- 500 mL of water
Steep for 12-24 hours in the fridge (closer to 12 hours is better with this recipe) and serve!
Fire-Breather
If your kids like to pretend they are fire-breathing dragons, they will love this sweet and spicy Fire-Breather water! Lemon, apple, and ginger combine for a delicious burst of flavor that can soothe upset tummies and fight evil villains.
To make this Fire-Breather detox water, combine the following ingredients in a glass jar or container:
- 2 slices of lemon
- 4 slices of apple
- ¼ inch thin slice of ginger, peeled
- 500 mL of water
After 12-24 hours (the longer you let it sit, the spicier), remove the ingredients and serve!
Have you tried any of these detox water recipes with your kids? Which one was their favorite? Leave us a message below and let us know!
