The first 2,000 days of life, i.e. the period up to the age of five, are considered crucial for the physical development and health of any child. Various studies have shown that a child's experiences during this period have an impact that lasts for years. All the experts I spoke to emphasized the importance of the baby's diet, especially during this period.
Monica Moritzhausen, a member of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, says that in the first few years of life, millions of new neural connections are being formed every second, and a healthy diet is essential for this. At the same time, good nutrition is important for a child's physical growth and weight.
Based on interviews with medical experts and nutritionists, we can tell you what to feed a baby on a daily basis.
Mother's milk
Doctors say that the child should be breastfed till the age of six months. According to Albert Einstein Hospital's pediatrician Jose Nilio Cavinato, "Not water or anything else, mother's milk is enough for a baby."
Mother's milk is such a food. Which contains all the ingredients that have the ability to protect the baby from many diseases like diarrhea or dysentery, respiratory disease, and allergies. Breast milk also reduces the risk of developing conditions such as asthma, type 2 diabetes or obesity in the baby. Experts say that to ensure that the mother's milk is rich in nutrients, such women should also take special care of their diet.
Jose Nelio Cavinato says that the mother should have a good diet. "For example, we recommend an egg a day and fish once a week to ensure the supply of nutrients needed for a child's brain development." Doctors say that ultra-processed foods should be avoided and if necessary, vitamin D, omega and iron supplements should be taken. We know that these supplements are expensive and not available to everyone, so it's important that breastfeeding women include as many foods as possible in their diet.
Babies who cannot be breastfed for any reason can be given formula milk.
The World Health Organization recommends that mothers should breastfeed for up to two years, with the first introduction of other foods at six months of age. The baby should be given porridge and fruit along with breast milk once a day for six months and twice a day in the seventh and eighth months.
In the ninth month, the baby should gradually introduce other foods. This diet includes cereals, proteins, vegetables, and pulses but should not contain salt.
Healthy Diet
Experts say that special care should be taken that whatever food is being given to the child includes different quality ingredients. To do this, it is recommended to divide the nutrients into different groups.
Jose Nilio Cavinato says that the healthy plate scheme should plan the two main meals of the day, lunch and dinner, which can be useful not only for the child but for life. Stephanie Amaral, UNICEF's health officer in Brazil, agrees. He says that parents should also take care of the source of whatever food is being given to the child.
It is important to eat a healthy diet free from processed and industrial foods that contain minimal amounts of sweeteners and other chemical ingredients.
Vegetables
What is very important to include in the diet of children and adults are vegetables, which should make up at least 50% of the plate.
According to SBP, children between the age of one to two years should be given vegetables twice a day, while children between the age of two to five years should be given vegetables three times a day. Among vegetables, leafy greens are a good source of fiber, vitamins, as well as minerals like folic acid and iron, says Jose Nilio Cavinato. Iron is very important for a child's brain development. Its deficiency is common worldwide, a form of iron deficiency anemia, and affects a child's sensory and motor development.
Folic acid is important for the nervous system, and its deficiency often results in changes that are impossible to treat. A lack of fiber also manifests itself in a number of ailments, including constipation, allergies, and a weakened immune system. Experts believe that children who do not get the required amount of vitamin C daily are prone to skin diseases, iron deficiency, tooth loss, weak bones and delayed wound healing. .
Jose Nilio Cavinato says that vitamin A deficiency can cause poor eyesight or blindness in children under five years of age.
Among vegetables, carrots and pumpkin are good sources of vitamin A, while eggplant is rich in important nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B-5. Broccoli provides vitamin K, vitamin C, and vitamin A as well as potassium.
Serial
The rice, wheat, flour, bread, potato, barley, and corn group contain foods that should make up 25 percent of a child's plate. Jose Nilio Cavinato says this group is a healthy source of carbohydrates and vitamins, as well as fats that provide energy to the body. A lack of carbohydrates can be seen in the form of a bad mood. But on the other hand, excess of them can lead to obesity, diabetes and heart diseases.
Experts say that 50 to 60 percent of the calories in the food given to the child should consist of carbohydrates.
Meat and Eggs
The two main meals in a child's day must include meat or eggs and should make up an eighth of the plate. According to the SBP, children between the ages of one and three should eat at least two servings of meat or eggs a day, and the recommended amount for children four to five years old is one serving a day. The meat can be either chicken or beef or fish. According to them, it is an important source of iron. Animal protein also provides vitamin B12, which is important for children's immune systems. Its deficiency can affect the physical development of the child.
José Nilio Cavinato says that fish meat provides DHA or omega-3 fatty acids, which are very important for the nervous system. Apart from the human nervous system, this acid also plays an important role in developing the retina and protects against diseases like obesity and blood pressure.
They say that eggs are also rich in protein but should not be used as the sole source of protein.
Lentils
The remaining part of a child's food plate is completed by pulses, which according to experts should be one-eighth of the plate. This group includes beans, pulses, chickpeas, and soybeans, which contain vitamins and important minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium.
Magnesium deficiency manifests as fatigue, while zinc deficiency can cause loss of appetite, impaired sense of smell and taste, and decreased immunity.
Vegetable oil
Vegetable oil must be used in the preparation of baby food. Commonly used oils include olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, and coconut oil. According to SBP experts, each vegetable oil contains different types of ingredients.
According to him, olive oil contains omega-3, while soybean, canola, and sunflower oils also contain omega-3.
Fruits
Fruits are also essential for children who want to eat them as a dessert after meals. A child between the ages of one and five should have three servings of fruit per day. Fruit juice can also be given to children, but according to nutritionists, it is not a substitute for water or fruit. Experts say that fruits should be given to the child according to the local season, taking into account the presence of fiber.
Fruits are often the only source of vitamin C and they also provide fiber, says José Nilio Cavinato.
Dairy Products
After the age of one year, milk products can also be given to the child which should be given as three servings on a daily basis till the age of five years. Milk, cheese and yogurt provide calcium, which is essential for bone and muscle growth.
A calcium deficiency can cause dental problems and, if left untreated, the damage can be permanent. For families who cannot give milk products daily due to financial constraints, calcium-rich foods such as cereals, soy milk, or pulses are recommended. Spinach is also an inexpensive source of calcium.
Jose Nilio Cavinato says that cow's milk should be avoided before the age of one year. According to him, cow's milk contains three times more protein than mother's milk, which can cause obesity.
0 Comments