From the time they're crawling to the day you send them off to college, your children look to you for guidance and information about their health and well-being. What they eat and drink today can impact their health now, tomorrow and in the future.

All beverages provide hydration, which is important for children of all ages. Beverages like milk, soy beverages and fruit juice also provide vitamins and nutrients that growing bodies need. Be sure to achieve balance with liquid calories, though.

Understanding how beverages fit in a healthy lifestyle can help you guide your children's beverage intake in a way that supports their health and development.

Beverages & children's wellness

Health Canada recommends that children drink a certain amount of fluids each day, depending on their age, weight, activity level and environmental factors. Find out how much fluid your child needs.

Every drop of fluid your child drinks provides hydration. Beverages like milk, soy drinks and fruit juice also provide important nutrients that growing children need.

If your child's weight and activity level are a concern, it's important to balance calories consumed with energy expenditure. Get tips for managing beverage calories.

Drink often, repeat

Want your child to establish good health-promoting habits? You can start by being a good role model for him or her. Being a good role model means showing children by your actions what you value — like being physically active and eating a well-balanced diet.

When it comes to beverages, being a role model can include making decisions like:

• Having a beverage handy at all times (don't wait until you get home from work; drink beverages throughout the day, not just at mealtime)
• Which beverages to offer at breakfast time (Minute Maid Premium orange juice, Odwalla Nourishing Beverages and Odwalla Soymilk are good options)
• What portion sizes you offer children

Hydration Tips for Children

• Keep on top of the hydration needs of young children playing outdoors, particularly in hot weather. Have children drink before heading out to play, and call them in frequently for beverage breaks.
• Serve beverages at moderate temperatures to promote greater fluid intake.
• Offer beverages that your child will enjoy. Several studies show that children consume 45% to 50% more liquid when it's flavoured.
• Remember that many foods have high water content and contribute to total fluid intake. Fruit, vegetables, soups and even popsicles are all high in water.
• Pack beverages in backpacks and lunchboxes for children heading off to school or other activities.

Read more about the hydration needs of children.