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Original poster

To be shocked by this government dietary advice for babies and children?

535 replies

fourfoxsakes · 09/01/2026 08:50

from the government in Northern Ireland that is published online? Surely we don’t do these things any more such as mixing baby rice with milk and advising people to feed their very young children rice crispies and cornflakes for breakfast and advising people to give juice with meals! Surely this is bad advice, I am honestly surprised that the government have been allowed to publish this crap. I have no doubt people still do these things which is an individual parenting choice but surely the government shouldn’t be advocating for this?

To be shocked by this government dietary advice for babies and children?
To be shocked by this government dietary advice for babies and children?
To be shocked by this government dietary advice for babies and children?
OP posts:
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7
Original poster
fourfoxsakes · 09/01/2026 09:07

Why does juice need to be introduced to young children at all? If you tried to send juice into school in a water bottle for your child it would be removed.

OP posts:
popcornandpotatoes · 09/01/2026 09:07

I imagine they're trying to strike a balance of it being actually achievable as well as having some nutrition. If it was the peak of nutrition lots of people wouldn't be able to afford it and also lots of children wouldn't eat it

Coffeeishot · 09/01/2026 09:07

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 09/01/2026 09:02

It's really high in sugar and therefore bad for teeth. Yes, drinking it with a meal is better than in isolation, but eating whole fruit and drinking water is much better for both gut and dental health.

Show quote history

Well the poster said diluted pure juice and it is recommended drinking juice with food because teeth can be brushed, how dull would life be without a bit of flavour in their drink.

1apenny2apenny · 09/01/2026 09:06

I agree OP, juice is crap, I didn’t give mine juice as in my view it gets them used to sweet drinks and is bad for their teeth, much better that water is the norm. A whole piece of fruit is way better so Weetabix with banana, berries etc. Government nutritional advice is one of the reasons we have an obesity problem.

JassyRadlett · 09/01/2026 09:06

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 09/01/2026 09:02

Juice with meals is recommended due to the acidity such as fruit juice only with meals, very common advice

That's if you're going to have it at all, surely. Juice isn't compulsory and "well diluted juice" doesn't add much in terms of nutritional value, with a trade off that kids get accustomed to sweet-flavoured drinks rather than water or milk.

This list has the feel of "people are going to feed these things anyway so let's try to make it as positive as possible."

vanillalattes · 09/01/2026 09:04

Juice with meals is recommended over drinking it alone. And what on earth is wrong with rice crispies?!

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 09/01/2026 09:02

Juice with meals is recommended due to the acidity such as fruit juice only with meals, very common advice

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 09/01/2026 09:02

Octavia64 · 09/01/2026 09:00

What’s wrong with drinking juice with meals?

It's really high in sugar and therefore bad for teeth. Yes, drinking it with a meal is better than in isolation, but eating whole fruit and drinking water is much better for both gut and dental health.

Coffeeishot · 09/01/2026 09:01

Again what is wrong with juice with meals ?

Octavia64 · 09/01/2026 09:00

What’s wrong with drinking juice with meals?