Parents often focus on providing nutritious foods for their children but may overlook the importance of healthy beverage choices. Recently, four prominent national health and nutrition organizations collaborated to release a consensus statement offering recommendations for beverage consumption among school-age children and adolescents. These guidelines address hydration needs by age, types of recommended drinks, beverages to limit, and those to avoid entirely. To better understand these recommendations, CNN consulted with wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, who emphasized the significance of selecting appropriate drinks to prevent obesity and maintain overall health.

Drinking habits play a crucial role in shaping a child's diet. According to Dr. Wen, an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University, it is essential that children derive most of their calories from nutrient-rich sources rather than empty-calorie options. With approximately one in five children and adolescents in the U.S. suffering from obesity, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making informed beverage choices becomes vital. Sugary sodas and other sweetened drinks are strongly linked to weight gain and dental issues, further underscoring the need for healthier alternatives.

Hydration requirements vary depending on factors such as age, physical activity levels, and climate. For instance, children aged 5 to 8 should consume around 40 fluid ounces daily, equivalent to about five cups. Older children between 9 and 13 require between 54 to 61 ounces (seven to seven-and-a-half cups), while teenagers aged 14 to 18 need between 61 to 88 ounces (seven-and-a-half to eleven cups). Water remains the top recommendation for fulfilling hydration needs, although milk and limited amounts of juice can also contribute positively when consumed responsibly.

Milk is another key component within these guidelines, particularly pasteurized varieties without added sugars. Recommendations suggest up to 20 ounces per day for younger children and up to 24 ounces for older ones. However, flavored milks like chocolate or strawberry are discouraged due to excessive sugar content. Regarding fruit juices, even 100% natural versions should be limited significantly—no more than 4 to 6 ounces daily for younger kids, increasing slightly with age—but they aren't necessary for maintaining a balanced diet since whole fruits provide superior nutritional benefits.

Plant-based alternatives like soy or almond milk might serve as substitutes only under specific medical circumstances, such as allergies or dietary restrictions. In such cases, opting for unsweetened versions ensures alignment with health goals. Conversely, juice drinks containing added sugars fall into the same category as sugary sodas and should be avoided altogether. Additionally, artificial sweeteners found in diet drinks lack sufficient evidence regarding their long-term effects on children’s health, making them unsuitable options.

Sports drinks represent yet another area requiring caution. High sugar contents render them largely unnecessary outside extreme athletic contexts where rapid electrolyte replenishment is required. Furthermore, confusion sometimes arises between sports drinks and energy drinks, which contain caffeine and other stimulants harmful to young bodies. Thus, neither type of drink aligns with the expert panel's recommendations for promoting optimal child health.

In conclusion, fostering good drinking habits early lays a foundation for lifelong wellness. By prioritizing water and plain milk while restricting less beneficial options, parents empower their children to thrive physically and mentally. Such practices mirror those adopted by Dr. Wen herself, whose family emphasizes water and milk while treating juice sparingly as a special occasion item. Through awareness and deliberate action, families can ensure their children receive the nourishment needed for robust growth and development.