When a baby comes into this world, every bite he takes touches the hearts of the whole family.
Quite a few new fathers and mothers, when preparing complementary foods, want to give the best quality nutrition to their children. However, they often overlook certain foods that appear to be common but actually contain risks.
Some parents have this idea, that is, "didn't we eat like this when we were children?" while other parents are misled by advertising and inadvertently serve inappropriate foods to their babies' dining tables.
In fact, at the stage of infants and young children, the digestive system is like this, the kidney function is like this, and the immune barrier is also in a state of still development. For certain specific foods, its processing ability is far inferior to that of adults.
Today, we set out to discuss these dietary taboos that have been ignored by many families to help everyone avoid the hidden "traps" in the feeding process.
Salt and pickled products: The kidneys are most afraid of "heavy taste"
Many older generations always feel that if children do not take in salt, they will lack strength. They have even added salt for seasoning when making complementary foods for their children very early on.
But in fact, babies under 3 months old absorb enough salt from breast milk or formula milk to meet their body needs.
When it reaches the stage of about 6 months, you can start to add a very small amount of salt, but the total amount per day needs to be controlled below 1 gram.
Children aged 1 to 3 years old should not consume more than 2 grams of salt per day.
The baby's kidneys are in the process of development. If they consume too much salt, it will increase the burden on the kidneys. If this continues for a long time, it is very likely to have an impact on physical health.
For example, pickled products such as salted fish, bacon, and pickles have a salt content that seriously exceeds the standard range and also contains a large amount of nitrite. They are extremely risky for babies and should never be included on the plates of infants and young children.
Honey: Keep away from babies under one year old
It is not suitable for babies under 1 year old to consume honey, although honey has the effect of laxative and is a daily necessity for many families.
This is because Honey during brewing and transportation , susceptible to contamination by botulinum toxin.
Normal flora has not yet been fully established in the intestines of infants and young children, and their resistance to botulinum toxin is very weak. Once infected, it is very likely to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even more serious symptoms.
Therefore, when making milk powder or complementary food for your baby, never add honey for flavoring.
After the baby turns one year old, the intestinal flora gradually matures, and it will be safer to try it in moderation.
Fresh milk: Not recommended for children under 2 years old to drink directly
Some parents think that fresh milk is nutritious, so they give it to their babies early.
However, the protein composition of fresh milk is mainly globulin, of which whey protein only accounts for 20%. However, the proportion of whey protein in breast milk is as high as 60%.
The mineral content in milk is also high, which will increase the burden on the baby's kidneys. At the same time, the iron content is insufficient. If you continue to drink it for a long time, your baby may become iron deficient.
If breast milk is not sufficient, then formula milk powder is preferred. The nutrients it contains are closer to breast milk and are better for the baby's digestion and absorption.
Within 2 years of age, it is better to temporarily "absent" fresh milk from your baby's diet.
Tea and glutinous rice balls: a "little minefield" within 3 years old
Many families have the habit of drinking tea, and will give their children a small sip during breaks. However, children under three years old are indeed not suitable for drinking tea.
The large amount of tannic acid contained in food will interfere with the body's absorption of nutrients such as calcium, zinc, iron, and protein, thereby affecting the normal growth and development of children. A lot of this tannic acid is found in tea.
Moreover, ingredients such as caffeine contained in tea can cause children to develop into an over-excited state, which in turn affects sleep, and may even lead to hyperactivity.
Also worth looking out for are glutinous rice balls.
For children under 1 year old, the swallowing reflex has not yet developed well, and glutinous rice foods are particularly sticky. When eating glutinous rice balls, it is easy for them to stick to the esophagus, thereby blocking the respiratory tract.
The digestive function of children between 1 and 2 years old is weak and the digestion process is not easy, so it is better to wait until the child is older before starting tasting behavior.
Chocolate and bamboo shoots: the hidden dangers behind delicious food
Chocolate is sweet and delicious, and it is hard for children to resist, but it is best not to eat it for children under 3 years old.
Chocolate is a high-calorie, low-protein food, and its nutritional content does not meet the growth needs of children.
Eating chocolate before eating will make you feel full, which will affect your appetite during the meal. The theobromine and other stimulant substances contained in chocolate can easily make it difficult for babies to fall asleep and make them cry and become restless. If eaten for a long time, it may also cause tooth decay.
Let’s talk about bamboo shoots again. They taste very delicious, but they contain insoluble oxalic acid. This oxalic acid easily combines with calcium in the body to form calcium oxalate. If consumed in excess, it will increase the burden on the child’s urinary system and kidneys, affect the absorption of calcium and zinc, and have an adverse effect on bone development.
Spinach and cabbage also contain oxalic acid, so infants and young children should not eat too much of them.
Eggs and drinks: Pay attention to “quantity” and “type”
Eggs are rich in nutrients and are the first choice of complementary foods for many babies, but the more you eat, the better.
When adding complementary foods after 6 months, you can start with egg yolks, and it should not exceed 1 a day.
Babies around 1 year old can eat a whole egg every other day.
If there is protein-like material in the baby's stool, it indicates that the digestion and absorption are not very good, and the egg yolk can be mixed with other foods for feeding.
When it comes to drinks, especially cola and functional drinks, the caffeine in them has ingredients that stimulate the central nervous system, which is very harmful to children's immature tissues and organs, and can also affect height development. Do not give them to children as daily drinks.
Fried foods and other "hidden killers"
There are such a batch of fried foods, such as French fries, fried chicken, and instant noodles. Although they taste crispy, they are harmful to the health of babies and have no benefits.
Long-term consumption not only easily leads to obesity, but also leads to unbalanced nutritional intake, which in turn affects the normal development of the brain and nervous system.
In addition, popcorn contains high levels of lead, as does preserved egg, and vermicelli contains high aluminum, all of which are not suitable for children to eat.
Foods such as raw seafood and boiled mutton should also be given to children with caution.
When purchasing food, go to regular stores as much as possible and avoid products found in campus annexes and roadside stalls that have no guaranteed quality, no production standards, and non-standard labels.
When heating food in a microwave oven, special care must be taken to avoid burns due to uneven heating.
Every child is the treasure of the family, and there is no room for carelessness in food safety.
From the initial stage of adding complementary foods to three meals a day for infants, as parents, if you pay more attention, your children will have an added layer of health protection.
Avoiding these common dietary taboos is not to make children miss out on delicious food, but to use a more scientific model to protect them from growing up healthily.
We hope that this diet blacklist will help you reduce pitfalls during the feeding process, so that your baby can eat with peace of mind and grow strong.
