Published: May 2012

ID #: CAS008

Publisher: California Food Policy Advocates

Authors: Ritchie L, Rausa J, Patel A, Braff-Guajardo E, Hecht K

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Promoting water intake has been proposed in order to displace the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, and new federal and California laws now require water availability in child-care settings. However, some child-care staff have voiced concerns that if young children are provided water with meals, they will fill up on the water and not consume enough milk or other healthy foods. This review synthesizes the current state of the evidence with respect to the displacement of other beverages and foods by drinking water and provides science-based information for the development of sound and practical recommendation to child-care providers on the provision of water to young children. The report recommends that child-care providers provide water both between and during meals and snacks as there is no evidence to support the concern that water might interfere with intake of milk and other healthy foods.

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