Juice Boxes for Kids: Best and Worst Picks

Water is almost always the best choice when it comes to hydration for kids and adults alike. But we know that we adults tend to hydrate more when a drink is flavored, and kids are no different. Most flavored juice boxes are loaded with sugar, but there are a few options on supermarket shelves that provide hydration with zero sugar – or at least with less sugar. Read on for best picks and worst bets for juice boxes for kids.

Best picks for juice boxes for kids

HINT Infused Water Boxes

• Per 6.75-oz box: 0 calories, 0 grams carbs, 0 grams sugar
• Ingredients include purified water and natural flavors
• Available at Target, Whole Foods

HONEST Kids Juice Box

• Per 6.75-oz box: 40 calories, 10 grams carbs, 9 grams sugar (0 grams added sugar)
• Ingredients include water, grape juice, natural flavors, vitamin C
• Available at Target, Whole Foods

Worst bets for juice boxes for kids

Capri Sun Roarin’ Waters

• Per 6-oz pouch: 30 calories, 8 grams carbs, 8 grams sugar (8 grams added sugar)
• Ingredients include water, sugar, stevia, natural flavor

Capri Sun Juice Pack

• Per 6-oz pouch: 60 calories, 14 grams carbs, 13 grams sugar (11 grams added sugar)
• Ingredients include water, grape juice, natural flavors, vitamin C

100% Apple Juice Box

• Per 6.75-oz box: 100 calories, 24 grams carbs, 23 grams sugar (0 added sugar)
• Ingredients include water, apple juice concentrate
• 100% juice, but nutrition recommendations limit juice to no more than 4 ounces per day for kids ages 1 to 3 years, and 4 to 6 ounces per day for kids ages 4 to 6 years old

Editor’s note: Registered dietitian Molly Kimball offers brand-name products as a consumer guide; she does not solicit product samples nor is she paid to recommend items. A version of this originally appeared on WGNO’s “Get FUELED with Molly” segment.