La nutrition and correct nutrition has always been the subject of discussion among specialists, who foods are better, what foods should be restricted, but what happens when it comes to Child nutrition.
Here are six common beliefs to the test:
1. There is only one way to start with solids - False:
The Conventional says that babies should start eating solid foods when they reach 6 months with rice cereal, and then gradually introduce the soft vegetables, followed by the pureed fruit.
In some cultures, mild herbs and spices are introduced to babies at an early age to gradually increase their tolerance. It is also important to introduce the meat at an early stage to avoid anemia.
While many parents think that purees are the only option, the introduction of chunky food product is essential for healthy development. Learn to chewEither with the teeth or the gums, it strengthens the muscles of the jaw and helps with the development of speech.
Some parents practice an approach known as "baby weaning," which is another term for allowing a child to begin self-feeding with their hands. Some foods to try if you are following this approach include steamed carrots, cucumbers, and slices of bread.
2. Children need whole milk - true and false
Milk is the most important food for a child in the first year of life and continues to be very important in the following years. Milk is rich in calcium which is important for the growth of bones and teeth, and calcium is easier to obtain from milk than from plant foods.
Children under 12 months of age should drink breast milk or formula. From one year on, children can drink whole milk.
3. Fish is food for the brain - true
The saying that fish is good for the brain stems from relatively recent discoveries about the nutritional qualities of fish. Omega 3 fatty acids, which are found in abundance in blue fish.
Two of the fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are particularly vital for brain development as DHA fats make up over 30 percent of our brains and DHA and EPA make up over 70 percent of a newborn.
Recent studies have shown that 85% pregnant women and children are not getting enough omega 3 fatty acids in their diets.
Maintaining adequate amounts of DHA in the body is intended to contribute to and maintain a baby's brain health, improving his eyesight, and helping his verbal skills. It also reduces the risk of preterm labor, which is why it is important for both a healthy mother and her baby.
4. Fresh is the best - false
Some families find that the household budget simply does not extend to fresh vegetables - let alone organic. But it seems that many frozen vegetables are just as nutritious, or in some cases even more nutritious, than fresh ones. Frozen vegetables are usually processed within a few hours of harvest and few nutrients are lost in the freezing process, therefore they maintain their high vitamin and mineral content. Another way to preserve the vitamin content of vegetables is by steaming rather than boiling them, which filters out the nutrients.
5. Bad foods should be kept out of reach - false
With childhood obesity it increasingly leads many parents to lock up unhealthy snacks, hand out cookies and chips in carefully dosed amounts. But a research study shows instead that if a parent restricts a food, children just want it more. Other studies show that children whose food is severely restricted at home are much more likely to binge when they have access to prohibited foods.
6. Breastfeeding prevents ear infections - real
Ear infections are one of the main reasons babies take antibiotics, which can weaken their immune systems. However, researchers at the State University of New York have found that exclusively breastfed babies have a lower risk of otitis media (middle ear infections).
Ear infections are common in all children, but the researchers found that primary ear infections for children between six and 12 months of age decreased from 25% to 51% for those exclusively breastfed. The incidence of formula-fed infants of the same age increased from 54% to 76%.
Source: Essential baby
Image: Flickr