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Infancy nutrition can set the stage towards obesity.
It’s instinctive for mothers to feed their babies the foods they enjoy eating and growing up with. Like language, food traditions are passed down from generation to generation. We can continue passing our culinary traditions with more discretion by introducing healthier food options to our babies. “When I was growing up white rice was served with every meal. I loved the stews my mother prepared for dinner, but later in life the white rice was something I wanted to omit from my diet. Instead, I substituted the white rice with Greek yogurt or brown rice.”
The evidence couldn’t be more compelling: the typical North American diet contributes to a slew of illnesses including heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure diabetes and obesity. It’s a fact that foods in high saturated fat and refined sugars are unhealthy; whereas a healthy diet includes more fruits, vegetables, legumes, lean protein and whole grains. According to Dr. William Sears“Once your baby is ready for table foods (at about 6 months), watch for corn syrup (or high-fructose corn syrup) and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils (a source of unhealthy trans fats)—a duo of factory-made ingredients found in many processed snack foods that provide empty calories. Foods that depend on these for flavor and texture teach children to prefer sweeter, fattier fare, putting them on the road to being overweight. Make it a habit to check the label before you buy, and avoid foods that have the “terrible two”—instead, look for foods labeled “saturated-fat free” or “contains no trans-fats”, or give your little one healthier snacks like fresh fruit and vegetables.”
Felicia says “When I got the green light to introduce solids to my baby I decided to hold off on introducing fruits and cereal. Although fruits are healthy, I wanted my daughter’s palette to become accustomed to less desirable foods. It took a couple of days longer for her to accept her first solid meal, but it paid off magnificently. She’ll eat every vegetable offered and is open to eating blander, less tastier foods. I’m still reluctant to offer her fruit and opt for squash or carrots as a healthier sweet option”. If you offer your baby or toddler healthful foods earlier on, you can count on them to eat and enjoy nutritious meals. Food preferences are learned early on; children who are regularly offered nutritious meals learn to prefer them.
Felicia B is a full-time mom, wife and blogger by night. Mommylish.com is a website dedicated primarily to women 25-54 with children. The website covers such topics as style, beauty, DIY, health, physical fitness, family, pregnancy, money and nutrition.
Posted On: New York, NY October 31, 2014
