Expanding the infant’s diet in line with the infant healthy nutrition regimen, i.e. introducing various products to the menu and changing their consistency, facilitates a smooth transition to the so-called diet in the first year of life. the family table. Already after 9 months of age, in the case of breastfeeding a child, the aim is to supply 3-4 complementary meals (e.g. breakfast, soup, 2nd course, afternoon tea) and 1-2 snacks eaten on their own (e.g. a piece of vegetables, fruit or bread).
With artificial feeding, it should be even 4-5 meals and 1-2 snacks. It is very important that the family table diet meets the criteria of a healthy diet, that is:
- diversification – meals are prepared with vegetables, fruit, cereal products, lean meats, fatty fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds,
- the advantage of steaming or water cooking, stewing and baking (instead of frying),
- the use of natural spices, including herbal and vegetable spices in reasonable amounts,
- limiting the use of highly processed products and eating ready-made salty and sweet snacks,
- low-mineralized mineral water as the dominant fluid.
The healthier the diet of other family members is, the more suitable it is for a young child. Proper behaviour and eating habits are continued, which promotes health later in life.
Healthy Nutrition standard
Healthy Nutrition standards define the nutritional values that should be met by the menu in particular stages of life. The appropriate supply of nutrients is also verified on the basis of the child’s weight and height, which are applied to percentile grids prepared for age and gender. Abnormalities will be evidenced by deficiency or excess body weight and height deficiency (long-term energy and protein deficiencies).
After the age of 12 months, the baby should no longer drink from a bottle with a teat, but from an open cup. Specialists also do not recommend the use of non-spill cups, possibly in the transitional period up to the age of 1 (they are comfortable enough that they do not allow the liquid to be poured out, but their use may be associated with many side effects).
You can already give your baby cow’s milk, but not more than 500 ml per day and it should not be reduced in fat. Junior formulas (with numbers 3 and 4) do not have to be used, the literature does not indicate their advantage in feeding children in this age group. Butter and vegetable oils can be used as fatty additive. The supply of offal is not recommended. The supply of salt and sugar should still be limited.
What should children eat?
The respondents are aware of the primary function of healthy nutrition and its consequences for the future health and optimal functioning of the child, but somewhere there is a gap between theory and practice. What should be the basis of the diet of young children?
First of all, cooked cereals: buckwheat, millet, amaranth, quinoa, rice. A daily portion of vegetables and fruit, preferably in season, is also mandatory. It is worth reaching for legumes, which are a rich source of protein. And silage – natural probiotics that care for a good intestinal microflora and support the immune system. Also, don’t forget about fats: choose olive and cold-pressed oils.
Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame or olive oil are rich in vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids. Nuts and seeds are also very healthy: almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. They are a source of high-quality unsaturated fatty acids. As well as fibre, calcium, vitamins A, B and E, as well as numerous micro and macro elements.
Babies (although older children as well) should eat meals without salt and sugar, boiled and baked rather than fried. You can season them with herbs: thyme, basil, oregano, parsley, marjoram and garlic. If salt is necessary, let’s reach for the unrefined, i.e. unpurified (rich in minerals and trace elements). When you absolutely want to sweeten something, it is worth choosing natural sweeteners: maple syrup, dates, or xylitol or erythritol.
The results clearly show that there is a constant need to educate and remind parents of the applicable recommendations, norms and standards. It is absolutely necessary to promote the benefits of breastfeeding. And support nursing mothers to extend the time of exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months.
Kindly let us know if you need further so that we can provide your child with the best possible care and a healthy environment.
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