My family, like most families out there, is always trying to save money on grocery bills. One way that we do that is by watering down our juice! It takes a little getting used to (and a little convincing for the kids and husband!), but if you start putting 3/4 juice in a glass and the rest water, then later in the month go to 1/2 juice, 1/2 water, then 1/4 juice 3/4 water, and so on, you will end up having to purchase less juice. You will also cut back on (depending on the juice you purchase) empty calories and sugar, so it's good for the waistline and the pocketbook!
By Rita from Whitinsville, MA
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Isn't this short changing your family? I drink a glass of orange juice every morning and I wouldn't like it watered down. A glass of juice a day is not going to break you and your kids need it.
I realize this is an old comment. But anyway, orange juice has a good deal of sugar in it. It's also processed in huge vats, then held up to a year in sterile conditions. The flavor is gone by the time they get it out, so they add flavor to make it seem normal again.
I know this seems unbelievable, but it is pretty well known.
civileats.com/
If you are really pinching pennies, I guess this would be alright. However, if you are using 100% juice you will not be getting "empty calories". Sugar content would be an issue if you are not using 100% juices. Juice does have nutrional values so I would not dilute too much, unless your family drinks many glasses a day.
When I mix frozen concentrate I use 3 1/2 cans of water instead of the three the instructions on the can call for.
I did this all the time back before my food allergies were diagnosed, because they had my stomach so messed up often fruit juices were too strong and cause a stomach ache. Some I actually still like better diluted because they seem too sweet or intense at full strength.
Sorry, but if you have to water it down that much, it might be better to forgo buying it. My son-in-law does this and it goes to waste because the grandsons hate it watered down. There are some things just better left alone and not be that frugal on. I had a friend who use to make coffee at work and it was so watered down it looked like weak tea. I started buying a cup of coffee on the way in to work....didn't save money but wasn't drinking hot watered down water. Sorry, I have to pass on this one.
I use juice as a flavoring for club soda or sparkling water. If you change the way you think about beverages it will help with blood sugar problems many Americans have.
Straight juice is FOOD, not a good way to rehydrate. The same with milk, sweet tea, soda, "juice drinks," so-called vitamin water and coffee drinks.
Water, flavored water, and weak flavored teas are good for the purposes of rehydrating.
It's a good idea not to have any "food beverages" between meals. They spike your blood sugar. Stick with rehydration beverages. And remember if you do use milk, juice, soda, etc. it "counts" as part of your meal. There are calories and sugar in there. Sometimes a lot.
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With juices (orange, apple, etc.), I add cold water to the juice in my cup. The taste isn't as strong and it makes the juice last longer. Add a little water at a time to the taste you like.
By Amy T. from Colorado Springs, CO
Look for sugar free juices. Mix 50/50 with water. So refreshing on a hot Texas day. I have been serving this for nearly 20 years and I still find people amazed at the apple water, cranberry water I serve. Not necessary to use cold water, tap water is fine. I prefer serving my juices over crushed ice. (09/06/2009)
By Dot
I was a single mother when my daughter was 4 until she was 8. I stretched our orange juice by adding an extra half to full can of water. My daughter never knew. As an adult she said to me that when eating breakfast at a restaurant she couldn't understand why their juice was so strong. I then told her how I used to stretch it. She has to add water to all her juice and now knows why. ha ha (09/06/2009)
By Shirley
Actually, it has been suggested to me by a health professional that you should water down all juices. Apparently it is hard work for your kidneys to break down full strength juice, and much healthier to water it down! (09/09/2009)
By merry woods
Water down the juice you give your toddler. I mix mine with half water. This cuts down how often you have to buy juice, plus doesn't load your child up on sugar or dampen their appetite too much. My kids still love the taste.
By Michelle
Yes, toddlers are too young to know what you are doing but just wait until they get older. (05/19/2009)
By Joy
