Coconut water for children: healthy and balanced
Concerned parents want their children to eat and drink healthy options. Childhood obesity levels are skyrocketing and more children are in health crisis mode every day. Coconut water can help!
Packing your child’s school lunch or sports snack is an opportunity to skip overly sweet “fruit drinks” that are more sugary than natural fruits, and add them to a bowl of healthy-good coconut water.
Coconut water is the purest liquid next to water. It is isotonic, which means that it glides easily into the cells of the body to hydrate and nourish as well as water does. Additionally, CW has potassium, magnesium, other vitamins, and minerals that will help small (and large) bodies stay in a nutritionally balanced state.
How early can coconut water be given to children? In Central and South American countries, everyone grows up drinking healthy coconut water. It is especially important in hot tropical climates where dehydration can occur quickly. Those kids don’t think twice about making CW a vital part of their day.
Read the labels of the main coconut water bands – all natural ingredients, low in sugar, high in nutrients, no artificial flavors, no chemicals. Show it to your pediatrician for confirmation that CW is better for your child to drink than the sodas, sugary drinks, and many of the fake fruit drinks on store shelves. Don’t overdo it; just add it as a daily drink. And if your child has food or nut allergies, talk to your doctor.
Plain coconut water may be an acquired taste for your little ones (and you too), but most companies have introduced natural flavors with pureed fruit that appeal to younger taste buds. Also remember, kids are tuned in to very sweet flavors and need to be steered away from those options.
Another excellent use for this liquid nectar is when children are sick. Trying to rehydrate a child who has vomiting, fever, or diarrhea is often a struggle. How many parents are exhausted to buy “pedia” drinks and refuse to drink with their lips closed? Coconut water has a history as a rehydration drink for sick children in many countries.
Freezing coconut water in “popsicles” is a refreshing treat, especially when using CW flavored with pineapple or mango. Getting healthy and sick kids to finish a popsicle is usually not difficult to do! This is a great “sneaky” way to get your kids to drink more and healthily.
Adding coconut water to morning oatmeal or cereal instead of milk, a splash in salads, or adding it to soup broth are other ways to give your kids the health benefits of CW without even knowing it. Shakes appeal to youngsters too, so boost your nutrition with CW in your “shakes.”
All major brands (VitaCoco, ONE, Naked, Harvest Bay, Zico) come in small packages that will fit in lunch boxes or diaper bags. ONE (One Natural Experience) has come out with ONE Kids, which is a blend of coconut water and fruit juice for little active bodies.
Regardless of how you can get your children CW, the goal is to improve health. Taking these steps now will lead your child down the path of good choices. Coconut water has been a healthy drink of choice for all ages around the world. Isn’t it time to introduce your family to this nutritious drink?