If you are concerned that drinking fruit juice will lead to weight gain or tooth decay in your youngster, you may be relieved to hear about the latest research. Reasonable consumption by children of 100 percent fruit juice (instead of sugar-loaded punches and fruit "drinks") is not associated with obesity in children.

In fact, researchers say that because pure juice is an excellent source of vitamins and nutrition, reasonable consumption should not be discouraged in children. Some research has shown that children who consume juice are also more likely to eat whole fruits and vegetables.

The key here is how much is too much? The American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines allow for one-half cup (4 ounces) of juice daily for children ages one to six years and 1½ cups (six ounces) of juice daily for older children. In these quantities, a four-ounce serving of juice can be considered a serving of fruit and can easily be incorporated into the diet.

As a dietitian and a mother, I watch my son's juice consumption closely. When given a choice of water, milk, or juice as a beverage, he will choose juice hands down, every time. Here are some tips you can try to help your youngster cut back if you think he or she is exceeding the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines:

• Offer water as a first choice, especially with meals
• Try diluting the juice with water to make the four- or six-ounce serving stretch further throughout the day
• If you cannot get away from juice, consider counting it as a fruit serving