If we sometimes wonder and wonder whether or not a food is beneficial to our health, thinking about the optimal diet for a child is even more delicate. From birth to the second year of life, the baby is not yet ready to consume some foods and the chosen menu will influence its development.
• Feeding in the first two years of a child's life is of utmost importance as it directly interferes with their health, growth and development. Healthy eating habits in the early years of your baby's life will also resonate with your future. That is, can they help prevent diseases such as cardiovascular problems and obesity in adulthood ?, explains Ezio Luiz Marson Gambini, pediatrician at Hospital Asunción.
The reason that healthy eating in early childhood reflects on health and quality of life in adulthood is that parenting eating habits can stay with children who are developing their tastes.
• In the early years of life, taste receptors are stimulated. In this age group, we can easily establish good eating habits. So should we encourage fruits, vegetables, cereals, meat, fish, milk? Advises pediatrician Maria Cristina Senna Duarte, a full member of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, Master in Child and Women's Health at Fiocruz (IFF) and director from the Neovacinas Clinic.
Thus, taking special care with food at this stage is essential to prevent future problems.
Read also: Breastfeeding: Ask questions and check out tips and reports from mothers
13 hazardous foods for children under two
To ensure healthy eating, some foods should not be on the list of possibilities offered to children in the first two years of life. Products with many additives, preservatives, fats and sugars are an example. In addition, it is safe to watch out for foods that may cause allergies or have difficulty digesting. Check out some of these foods:
1. Sugar
Sugary sweets and treats should be avoided in the diet of a child up to two years old, especially for future reflexes. If your child does not consume sugar during this time, he or she will not develop sweet taste and will avoid many diseases such as arteriosclerosis, diabetes, migraines, insomnia, asthma, bronchitis, high blood pressure, chronic diarrhea, visual disturbances and disorders, skin problems, glandular disorders, cavities, growth problems and osteoporosis, which can be caused by the consumption of this food throughout life ?, explains Alice Amaral, a specialist in nutrition.
2. Refined Salt
"Extremely high in sodium, this food still goes through a process of washing and refining, which makes it lose minerals such as sulfur, bromine, calcium and magnesium, and lose the microscopic algae that are responsible for fixing natural iodine," says Dr. Alice.
Although it is a common product in everyday life, the best thing to do is to replace it: "When solid foods begin to be introduced into the child's diet, opt for Himalayan pink salt," suggests the nutritionist.
3. Inlaid
Sausage, ham, bologna and salami are blacklisted. "Rich in preservatives, sodium, fats and nitrate, sausages are foods that do no good to health because they are antinutrients," points out Dr. Alice.
Read also: My child does not eat: what to do?
4. Soft drinks
Although liquids are essential for children to stay hydrated, sodas should be avoided. "Extremely harmful to health, this antinutrient causes diseases such as obesity and diabetes," says the nutritionist.
5. Canister Juices
Want to select a nutrient and healthy liquid for your child? Processed juices are not the right choice. Although the manufacturer promises a healthy product, the box juices contain a lot of sugar, additives and preservatives. "Choose freshly made natural juices or, what is better, give fresh fruit, which is much tastier and healthier," advises Alice Amaral.
6. Popcorn and Peanuts
• Foods like popcorn and peanuts are dangerous in terms of choking and bronchoaspiration. Do not recommend before 24 months of age?, Points out pediatrician Maria Cristina Senna Duarte.
7. Honey
Although it is a natural product that is often an ally of health, the nutritionist warns of the possible existence of a bacterium that causes intestinal botulism in honey.Therefore, avoid food in the first two years of the child's life.
8. Coffee
Caffeine at very high levels can cause restlessness and nervousness, headache, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and in younger children these effects are more intense. In addition, it can disrupt absorption of all essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, and calcium. Coffee is a diuretic drink and can contribute to the dehydration of younger children if consumed in large quantities ?, explains Dr. Alice.
It is important to remember that coffee is not the only source of caffeine: sodas and teas, for example, also contain caffeine and can have the same effects.
"However, recent research by the Heart Institute of São Paulo (InCor) shows that coffee is a great ally in concentration capacity," recalls Dr. Maria Cristina. "I recommend coffee milk from three years as part of the first meal of the day," adds the pediatrician.
9. Egg
The egg is a healthy and quite complete food. However, it is often responsible for causing intolerance and food allergies. For this reason, be aware of possible allergic reactions or offer the food to the child only after two years.
10. Fishes
Besides being careful when checking whether the fish has pimples or not, this food can also be a cause of allergies. • If there are cases of allergy in the family the recommendation is to avoid consumption. Already, if there are no cases of allergy in the family parents can offer the fish, but it is important to pay attention ?, advises Dr. Ezio.
11. Trans Fat
Already famous as the enemy of healthy eating, trans fat should also be avoided in children's diets. Trans fats can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as help with weight gain. They are commonly found in margarines, cookies, chips, ice cream and packet chips ?, exemplifies Dr. Alice.
12. Industrialized Foods
Processed foods usually contain an excessive amount of sodium, trans fats and preservatives in their composition. So, avoid eating these foods and always prefer home cooked food to children.
13. Gluten
Avoiding foods that contain gluten in the early years of a child's life is a good option. Gluten attacks the walls of the small intestine and hinders nutrient absorption. cause bulging abdomen, diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, obesity, low immunity, intoxication, migraine and osteoporosis? warns the nutritionist.
How to build a healthy diet?
The first item in infant feeding should be breast milk, which doctors recommend as an exclusive dietary component for the first six months of life. "Breast milk is the most complete milk for the nutritional needs of the baby in this age group, and contains antibodies and enzymes that protect the baby against infections," explains Dr. Maria Cristina. After this phase, parents can start to diversify their food types.
• After six months, you should gradually start the pasty feed (as the dentition is not complete) and then add solid foods, avoiding foods that require complete chewing, such as large pieces of meat, breads, seeds. etc ?, explains Alice Amaral.
In addition, it is important to pay attention to foods that can contribute positively to the formation and development of the child, as this is a decisive phase.
From the ninth and tenth month of life it is valid to offer fish (always with attention to allergies). Salmon and sardines are the most suitable due to the Omega 3 presenta, which helps memory and concentration. Are fruits of red color (strawberry and cherry) also beneficial for learning ?, indicates pediatrician Ezio Luiz.
Remember that instituting healthy eating in the early years of your child's life makes it possible for these habits and tastes to develop and remain throughout their lives, contributing to good health even in adulthood!
Healthy Eating - Portion Control (April 2024)
- Babies
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