Many parents may struggle with what to give their
children when a sickness has left them dehydrated.

In one corner we have Pedialite, the #1 pediatrician
recommended solution to prevent dehydration due to
diarrhea or vomiting. Dr. Eric Jones explains, "If
you're losing fluid from vomiting or diarrhea, it's a
different compound. It's made differently; it's got
salt and sugar losses to it. So Pedialite is a lot
more equal to that."

In the next corner, we have Gatorade and the advantage
over Pedialite? Kids tell us it's the taste.
Twelve-year-old BJ Richard says, "My favorite flavor is
blue. It's got flavor and it tastes a lot better. I'm
glad my Mom started to buy me Gatorade. It's a lot
better than water."

Mother of two April Richard says, "It just kept him
from dehydrating and it kept all the nutrients and the
vitamins that his body needed."

But it's more than just taste. Dr. Jones says
Gatorade does have some other advantages. "Gatorade
really is a re-hydration for exercise. Gatorade is
great for exercise and in kids who are exercising
soccer and all of that stuff. Gatorade you ought to
save for kids who are 10 or older."

Dr. Jones also says that when kids get sick, giving
young children Pedialite is best. But if they are
older than 10 -- and won't drink Pedialite -- then
Gatorade is better choice than just water. "The other
products like all sports and some of the other ones
are very, very sugar laden, so they are kind of
hollow."

It looks like there might be two winners her depending
on your situation. The most important thing is that
your children stay hydrated.

When your child is sick, be sure to watch for signs of
dehydration, which include a decrease in urination, no
tears when crying, a dry mouth, extreme thirst,
listlessness and sunken eyes.