Orange juice, milk or just tap water? We asked three top dietitians about what you should REALLY give your children to drink at breakfast

Juice contains sugar, milk contains fat, and soda contains artificial sweeteners.

They all decide what to give the children to drink the minefield.

Adding to all the parent's confusion, a new study today suggested that fruit juices can make children fat due to the double whammy of sugar and “liquid calories.”

This finding goes against the beliefs of many parents, especially those who thought juice was a healthy alternative rich in vitamin C.

MailOnline has now asked dietitians for their thoughts on what children should be drinking.

Rob Hobson, a registered dietitian and Healthspan advisor, said he wouldn't advise parents to cut out juices completely.

But he says we need to be conscious of how much our kids are drinking.

“I think it's okay to give your child a small amount of fruit juice (150ml) every day, but it's better to offer it as part of a healthy breakfast,” he said.

“The same goes for smoothies, but please serve one or the other.”

He said that while juices can add calories to your diet, they also have other benefits that sweet alternatives don't have.

“Sugar-filled drinks, even fruit juices that contain natural sugars, can add extra calories to your diet and are more likely to be a problem if consumed in excess,” says Hobson. says.

“Fruit juice contains more vitamin C than other sugary drinks.”

Hobson said while limiting fruit juice to one bottle a day, parents can offer other healthy thirst-quenching drinks.

“We recommend other drinks throughout the day that will keep you hydrated without added sugar,” he said.

“You can also experiment with naturally flavored water by adding ingredients like cucumber, pineapple cubes, strawberries, or mint.

“A glass of milk is also very nutritious for children, not only keeping them hydrated but also providing them with calcium.”

Bridget Benerum, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, said water and milk were the best drinks for children rather than juice.

“Water and milk without free sugars are the best choices,” she said.

“Fruit juices and smoothies contain vitamins and minerals, but they also contain a lot of sugar, so it's advised to limit them to no more than one small glass (150ml) a day.”

She added that it's not just calories that parents need to keep in mind, as juices can harm a child's oral health.

“If your child drinks juice frequently, the sugar and acidity of the juice can have a negative effect on teeth, so if you give fruit juice, make sure to include it with meals to minimize the impact on dental health.” “It's best to drink it during the day,” she said.

For particularly fussy kids who want juice, or for parents who want to maximize the vitamin benefits without doing any harm, Benerum recommended diluting it with water to reduce sugar and acidity.

Recent research published in journals JAMA Pediatricsbased on a review of 42 other studies.

Canadian researchers looked at how body mass index (BMI) changed in children and adults who drank 100 percent fruit juice for two weeks.

They found that BMI appeared to increase slightly each time children drank juice, suggesting a potential link.

However, the study found no significant changes in the weight of adults who drank the juice.

The NHS recommends that children aged 4 to 6 years should consume no more than 19 grams of free sugars per day, and children aged 7 to 10 should limit their intake to 24 grams.

There are no NHS guidelines for children under the age of four, but the health service advises parents not to give these children added sugar.

These limits apply only to sugars added to foods such as flavored yogurt, cereals, and sodas, or naturally occurring in fruit juices, smoothies, and honey.

Health authorities have not set limits on the sugar content of fruits, vegetables, or milk.

One 150ml serving of orange or apple juice contains approximately 12g to 15g of carbohydrates.

The standard juice box in many lunch packs has a capacity of 200 ml, so it's easy to imagine how a child could accidentally consume more than the recommended amount.

The threat of so-called “hidden” or “added” sugars, which we may not be aware of, is present not only in drinks such as juices, but also in products such as sauces, ketchup, and salad dressings. It has been blamed for causing several health problems.

Some experts believe these are one of the key drivers of rising obesity and diabetes rates in both the UK and the US.