My pediatrician made it quite clear, “Fruit juice is no better than giving your child a liquid candy bar.”

“Wait as long as possible to introduce it, because she will likely be getting more than she should when she enters pre-school and kindergarten,” she added.

But what is an anti-juice parent to do in a juice-loving society? You can’t turn on the television without seeing advertisements for fruit juice during the commercial breaks. And you tend to get weird looks from family and friends when the subject of your juice-free child comes up, along with your desire for him or her to stay that way.

Historically, pediatricians have recommended fruit juice as a good source of vitamin C and as an extra source of water for healthy infants. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently reaffirmed its policy statement entitled, “Use and Misuse of Fruit Juice in Pediatrics.”

According to that statement, “Offering juice before solid foods are introduced into the diet could risk having juice replace breastmilk or infant formula in the diet.” As a result, the statement continues, malnutrition and a reduced intake of proteins, fats, and vitamins could result.

Headlines singled out juice as the likely culprit behind the increase in childhood obesity, but a more recent study found that juice intake was not related to obesity. When it comes to empty calories and sugar, however, juice is still the culprit. Fruit juice in the ever-present sippy cup has also been associated with a rise in toddler cavities.

But let’s be realistic. Unless they are raised in a bubble, many children will come to learn what juice is before you may be comfortable offering it. At the very least, the AAP recommends holding out until after six months of age and limiting juice to four to six ounces per day until age six. Older children should be limited to eight to 12 ounces per day.

In an effort to limit juice consumption, the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) has revised its food packages. WIC provides supplemental foods to low-income pregnant women and children up to age 5 years who are at nutritional risk. Only 100-percent juice is provided, and only to children six months and older and in quantities of 6 ounces or less. WIC currently serves more than 50 percent of babies born in the U.S.

It should also be noted that six ounces of juice per day will provide the recommended amount of daily vitamin C for children and adults. So the key, then, is to serve juice in moderation.

Good intentions, however, will only get you and your child so far. Do your research on what you will allow your child to drink, and how much, before you are ready to offer it. That way, you won’t crack under the pressure of well-meaning family and friends before you are truly comfortable.

Whole fruit is best says the AAP, with 100-percent pasteurized fruit juice coming in a close second. But no matter how healthy it sounds, parents still need to tread lightly with pure fruit juice that is still loaded with carbohydrates and natural sugars minus the extra benefit of the fiber contained in whole fruit.

Parents concerned with a family history of diabetes or of hypoglycemic children can find a great pick in Waddajuice, a healthy alternative to traditional juices made up of a combination of purified water, vitamins, and pure juice with half the carbohydrate and sugar content of traditional juices. Just make sure to keep the servings within the AAP recommended guidelines.

Waddajuice, invented by single dad Jordan Kerner, is packaged in a spill-proof container and comes in a variety of flavors including Apple, Grape, and Wild Berry. Waddajuice, available online and in stores, is priced at $12.99 for a 12-pack.

And in case you are wondering, it tastes good, too!

Is your child drinking too much juice? Take this quiz to find out. As always, please follow-up with your child’s health care provider.