Final answer:
Low-fat/nonfat milk and water are recommended for children's hydration, while juice should be limited due to sugar content. Milk provides essential nutrients. Breastfeeding meets infants' needs, and young children benefit from a balanced diet with limited juice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The preferred beverages to provide young children to meet hydration needs are low-fat or nonfat milk, water, and juice. The statement could be seen as misleading; while low-fat or nonfat milk and water are indeed recommended, juice is only recommended in moderation due to its high sugar content. Choices like low-fat or nonfat milk are beneficial because they provide essential nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamins A and D with less fat and calories.
Exclusively breastfeeding infants receive their hydration needs from mature milk, which consists of foremilk and hindmilk. The foremilk quenches their thirst and the hindmilk satisfies their appetite while providing necessary fats for development. Additionally, the first milk, colostrum, is critical for newborns as it helps boost their immune system and provides other important nutrients.
For young children who are past infancy, maintaining a balanced diet that includes daily servings from the dairy group can be highly beneficial. However, offering too much juice can contribute to health issues like obesity, tooth decay, and may not foster the kind of healthy eating habits that also include physical activity as a fundamental part of education.