Optical illusion minimizes juice intake
Patrick passes along this trick for minimizing kids' intake of sugary drinks:
I can't remember where I saw this originally but this would work for limiting juice/soda intake for kids - and maximizing healthy stuff like milk. Pour the juice in a taller, thinner glass - it will look like you've poured more than you really have. Pour milk in a shorter, wider glass, it will look like you poured less.
Here's a link to the study, related to alcohol but applicable...
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Another solution: cut juice 60/40 with water. Extra hydration, less concentrated fructose intake, and a nice full cup every time. However, stealth may be required if the little ones catch on :)
Posted by: Scott Severtson | 16 February 2006 at 09:31 AM
Our rule is 4:1 water:juice. It still has enough taste to make it good for the kid and less sugar to make it good for the parent! If you start it at the beginning... they never know.
Posted by: Terry | 16 February 2006 at 10:42 AM
The concept is called "conservation". Younger kids (pre-k) can't conserve: you can pour the liquid back and forth between a tall, thin glass and a short, fat one and they'll insist that the tall one has more. Which is also why kids whine, "He got more than me!"...they think the kid with the taller glass has more, even if you show them that you've measured it out!
Posted by: Leslee | 16 February 2006 at 11:14 AM
Another juice-stretching trick: heat intensifies flavors, including sweetness. Cutting cold juice with hot water allows you to use more water to yield the same net effect of sweetness. (Does that make sense?) I use this trick on myself!
Posted by: anonymous | 17 February 2006 at 07:07 AM
We tend to fill the glass with ice, and then pour in juice to the top. Same basic idea.
Posted by: Pete | 17 February 2006 at 07:13 AM