Soft Drinks, Juice and Sweet Drinks for Children in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Families in Grand Rapids have easy access to many beverage options—from vending machines at local schools to sports drinks on the sidelines of youth games at parks like Riverside and Belknap. Understanding which drinks are healthiest for your child is especially important in West Michigan, where long winters, indoor activities, and rising childhood obesity rates can all affect kids’ health.

This guide explains why water and milk are best for children and how to limit soft drinks, juice, and other sweetened beverages. It is tailored for families in Grand Rapids, MI, with local resources and support options.

The American Dietary Guidelines do not recommend sugar-sweetened drinks for children. This includes:

  • Soft drinks / soda (regular and many “energy” drinks)
  • Cordials and fruit drinks
  • Vitamin-style waters
  • Flavored mineral waters
  • Sports drinks
  • Sweetened iced teas and lemonades

These drinks:

  • Add a lot of sugar and calories (kilojoules) without important nutrients
  • Are linked to excess weight gain and childhood obesity
  • Increase the risk of tooth decay and tooth erosion
  • Can reduce appetite for healthier foods

In Grand Rapids, where winters are long and kids may be less active outdoors, sugary drinks can contribute even more to unhealthy weight gain.

Juice and Children: Why Whole Fruit Is Better

Fruit and vegetable juices—even 100% juice—contain naturally occurring sugars that become very concentrated when juiced.

  • Children do not need any fruit or vegetable juice to have a healthy diet.
  • It is healthier to eat whole fruits and vegetables and drink plain tap water or milk.

Why whole fruit is better than juice

Whole fruits and vegetables:

  • Provide fiber, which helps prevent constipation
  • Help children practice chewing skills
  • Teach kids about different textures, colors, and tastes
  • Make convenient, nutritious snacks (great for school lunches in GRPS or weekend outings)

For example:

  • Children only need half an orange or about 1/3 of a punnet of strawberries to get their daily vitamin C.
  • It takes 3–4 oranges to make one small glass of juice.

Even homemade juice is still concentrated sugar and is not necessary for a balanced diet.

Best Drinks by Age

Infants (Under 12 Months)

  • Breastmilk is the best drink for infants.
  • If not breastfeeding, use infant formula as recommended by your pediatrician.
  • Do not give juice, soda, sports drinks, or other sweet drinks.

Toddlers (12–24 Months)

After 12 months, when breastfeeding or formula intake decreases:

  • Offer plain tap water and full-fat (whole) cow’s milk as the main drinks.
  • Avoid juice, soda, and other sweet drinks.

Children 2 Years and Older

  • Water should be the main drink throughout the day.
  • Reduced-fat milk can be offered from 2 years of age (unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise).
  • Limit or avoid juice and other sweet drinks.

In Grand Rapids, tap water is safe to drink and is the best choice for hydration, whether your child is at home, at school, or playing sports.

How Much Milk Do Children Need?

Milk is part of the milk, yogurt, cheese and alternatives food group, which is important for growth and development.

Approximate daily serves:

  • Younger children: about 3 “half” serves
  • Older children: about 3 full serves

Examples of one serve:

  • 1 cup (250 ml) of milk
  • ¾ cup (200 g) of yogurt
  • 2 slices (40 g) of cheese

Watch out for too much milk

Drinking too much milk can:

  • Fill children up and reduce their appetite for other foods
  • Contribute to picky eating
  • In some cases, lead to iron deficiency anemia (because they eat fewer iron-rich foods)

Plain milk vs flavored milk

  • Encourage plain milk instead of flavored milks (chocolate, strawberry, etc.).
  • Flavored milks are higher in added sugar and should be limited.

Artificially Sweetened Drinks: Not a Healthy Habit

Some soft drinks and “diet” beverages contain artificial sweeteners instead of sugar.

  • They add very little energy (kilojoules), so they do not directly cause weight gain.
  • However, they keep the habit of drinking sweet beverages.
  • They offer no nutritional value.
  • The acidity in these drinks (even sugar-free ones) can still contribute to tooth erosion and decay, especially with frequent sipping.

For good oral health, especially in a city with many pediatric dental providers like those affiliated with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, it is best to encourage plain tap water.

Sweet Drinks and Your Child’s Teeth

Children who regularly drink sweet beverages like:

  • Soda / soft drink
  • Cordial
  • Fruit juice
  • Sports drinks

are at higher risk of:

  • Tooth decay
  • Tooth erosion

Problems are worse if:

  • A bottle with milk or sweetened liquid is used to settle a baby to sleep
  • A child sucks on a bottle during the night or throughout the day

When the bottle contains anything other than water, sugars sit on the teeth and gums, even before teeth appear. This is when early decay can start.

Key oral health tips for Grand Rapids families

  • Offer only water in a bottle if needed.
  • Start tooth brushing as soon as the first tooth appears.
  • Encourage drinking from a cup from about 6 months of age.
  • Stop bottles around one year of age.

Local dental and pediatric practices in Grand Rapids, as well as the Kent County Health Department, can provide guidance on early dental care.

Sweet Drinks, Appetite, and Growth

Sweet drinks can cause several problems:

  • Excess weight gain
  • Tooth decay and tooth erosion
  • Small appetite or picky eating
  • Poor growth if sweet drinks replace nourishing foods
  • Iron deficiency anemia (from reduced intake of iron-rich foods)
  • Changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea or frequent loose stools

Young children may have difficulty digesting the sugars in sweet drinks. This can lead to:

  • Loose bowel actions or diarrhea
  • Loss of energy and nutrients from the body
  • Slow growth if this happens regularly

When sweet drinks are removed from a child’s diet, bowel habits often improve and appetite for healthy foods increases.

Juice: If You Choose to Include It

Children do not need fruit or vegetable juice—store-bought or homemade—to have a balanced diet. However, if you do choose to include juice:

  • Limit to ½ cup (about 125 ml) of 100% juice with no added sugar
  • Offer it only occasionally, not every day
  • Serve it with meals, not sipped throughout the day
  • Encourage your child to eat whole fruit or vegetables instead

Plain tap water and milk should still be the main drinks.

Practical Tips for Grand Rapids Parents to Cut Back on Sweet Drinks

Changing your child’s diet can be challenging, especially if they are used to juice or soda from school events, parties, or sports. Remember: young children can only eat or drink what is offered to them.

Step-by-step strategies

  • Don’t keep sweet drinks at home
    • If soda, juice, or sports drinks aren’t available, kids are more likely to choose water or milk.
  • Be a role model
    • Drink water and plain milk yourself. Children watch what adults do.
  • Avoid using a bottle to settle your child to sleep
    • If needed, use water only—and work toward no bottle at all.
  • Switch gradually if needed
    • If your child is used to sweet drinks, you can:
      • Start by watering down juice or cordial for a short time
      • Gradually move to plain water
  • Offer water regularly
    • Pack a reusable water bottle for school, daycare, or trips to places like John Ball Zoo or Millennium Park.
  • Make water appealing
    • Use fun cups or straws
    • Add slices of Michigan fruits like apples or berries for light flavor (without added sugar)
  • Serve whole fruits and vegetables
    • Use them as snacks instead of juice or sweet drinks.
  • Limit juice
    • Keep to ½ cup of no-added-sugar juice occasionally, not daily.

Seasonal Considerations in Grand Rapids

Winter in West Michigan

Cold, snowy winters in Grand Rapids mean children often spend more time indoors:

  • Less physical activity plus regular sweet drinks can lead to unhealthy weight gain.
  • Encourage water even when kids don’t feel as thirsty in cold weather.
  • Offer warm milk or plain herbal teas (if age-appropriate and recommended) instead of hot chocolate mixes that are high in sugar.

Summer and Outdoor Activities

During warm months, kids are often active at parks, Lake Michigan beaches, and sports fields:

  • Water is the best drink for hydration, even during sports.
  • Most children do not need sports drinks; these add unnecessary sugar.
  • Keep a refillable water bottle on hand at festivals, playgrounds, and outdoor events.

When to Seek Professional Help in Grand Rapids

If you are concerned about your child’s:

  • Growth or weight (too high or too low)
  • Eating habits or picky eating
  • Tooth decay or dental pain
  • Frequent diarrhea or constipation
  • Heavy reliance on juice, soda, or sweet drinks

you can reach out to local healthcare providers.

Local Resources

  • Your child’s pediatrician or family doctor
    • Many are affiliated with Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health.
  • Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (Grand Rapids)
    • Pediatric nutrition, gastroenterology, and dental referrals.
  • Kent County Health Department
    • Nutrition and child health programs, WIC, and dental health resources.
  • Grand Rapids Public Health / community health centers
    • Support for families with young children, including nutrition education.
  • Registered dietitians in Grand Rapids
    • For tailored advice on your child’s diet and beverage choices.

Key Points for Grand Rapids Families

  • Water should be the main drink for toddlers and older children.
  • Breastmilk is best for infants; formula if breastfeeding is not possible.
  • Children do not need fruit juice or sweet drinks for a healthy diet.
  • Sweet drinks can lead to excess weight gain, tooth decay, tooth erosion, picky eating, and bowel changes.
  • It is important to develop a regular oral care routine as soon as your child’s first tooth appears.
  • Replacing nutritious foods and drinks with sweet beverages can cause poor growth and nutrient deficiencies.
  • Encouraging whole fruits and vegetables, plain water, and plain milk helps build healthy habits that can last into adulthood.

If you are unsure about your child’s drink choices, contact your Grand Rapids healthcare provider or local public health services for personalized guidance.