HealthCare Facts-Your Healthy Kids Drinks

Research shows that sugar-laden sweetened drinks are linked to children's weight issues.

It's no secret that fruit juice, sodas, and other sugar-sweetened beverages are loaded with empty calories. But how much is too much, and what role should these drinks play in a child's diet?

Two new studies, initially reported WebMD, shows that children and adolescents are drinking more juice and sugary drinks and that children who drink 100 percent fruit juice are not more likely to be overweight than those who do not drink 100 percent fruit juice.

The first study, published in the June edition of "Pediatrics," looks at trends - what children drink, how much, and how it's changing. Data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected from 1988 to 1994 and from 1999 to 2004.

The study shows that the number of calories children and adolescents (aged 2 to 19) get from sugar-sweetened drinks and 100 percent fruit juices is on the rise:

• Children and adolescents get 10 percent to 15 percent of total calories from sugar-sweetened beverages and 100 percent fruit juice.

• Children aged 6 to 11 saw a 20 percent increase in caloric intake from sugar-sweetened drinks.

Soda contributed 67 percent of all sugar-sweetened drink calories among adolescents, according to the study

During that same time periods, sports drink consumption tripled among adolescents, according to the study.

Additionally, the study shows that many of these drinks are consumed at home. Here's a closer look:

• On a typical weekday, 55 percent to 70 percent of sugar-sweetened drinks were guzzled at home.

• Seven percent to 15 percent of sugar-sweetened drinks were sipped at schools.

Medical professionals recommend for parents to limit sodas, sports drinks, and other drinks with added sugar.

As a healthy alternative, try water and milk. Not only is water calorie-free, but drinking it teaches kids to accept a low-flavor, no-sugar beverage as a thirst-quencher. Meanwhile, a cup of milk has 300 milligrams of calcium, and can be a much-needed boost to your child's daily needs.