Keeping cool in the Florida heat means staying hydrated with the correct kinds of fluids. Clinical Dietician Jeanne Struve explains that juice boxes look harmless enough with those kid-size, bendable straws and promises of a hundred-percent vitamin c. now that its summer parents need to be aware of healthy hydration especially when kids need plenty of fluids to stay safe. “Be aware that drinking a lot of juice will end up with a lot of extra calories and for kids those extra calories end up with extra pounds and it is not very healthy because our kids are gaining extra weight.”

And that aside from potentially putting on a few extra pounds, here’s something else you might want to keep in mind about juice and that is eating whole fruits. “Another things to keep in mind, is that juice does have nutrients but it is missing the fiber and the bulk from eating the fruit.” Jeanne says.

Jeanne also says that instead of letting your child have orange juice why don’t you let them eat the orange and get the fiber and bulk along with it. “Parents just need to be aware that just because they are home all day does not mean they have to be snacking all day and if they are make sure there are healthy things on hand.”

Other healthy hydrating choices are watermelon and sugar-free popsicles. Parents are advised to limit their child’s intake of fruit juice to about 6 ounces per day.