We are what we eat. Food is the most important variable in health and growth, the bricks with which we build our building. Quality nutrients are essential for proper physical and intellectual development. This is usually one of our main concerns. For that reason I will collect some feeding tips for parents.
From this concern nourish food companies, which create industrial functional products, presenting them as an appealing solution to food needs. Vitamins are added that complete the poor nutritional intake. Fibers are added, because the diet is scarce in them. Omega 3 acids and other essential fats are added for brain function. Bacteria that supposedly protect the immune system are added.
The reality is that we consume an excess of dairy products, industrial products and truly unhealthy hydrogenated fats. Adding necessary nutrients to these foods is not the best solution. Improve dietary guidelines by presenting unprocessed natural foods It guarantees a healthy and complete diet to which there is nothing to add. Nature gives us what we and the children need.
It is not necessary to add vitamins to anything, the fruit and vegetables have them to spare. No need to add fiber if excess dairy and refined pastries are discarded in favor of fruits, vegetables and whole foods. No need to add fats when fish and vegetables are available. And of course the bacteria that protect the immune system cannot compete with a natural and balanced diet.
The information we receive from parents about infant feeding It comes many times from the same producers. And it comes to us completely mediated by advertising, marketing and the media. They confuse us since they are babies presenting needs such as continuation milk or enriched growth milk as the best way to provide the child with dairy and invite us to buy cereals porridge loaded with sugar and industrial. Breast milk and natural cereals are cheap, available and healthy. Instead of porridge after six months, children can take cereals such as corn grits, rice or tapioca, which are very easy to make and very healthy.
From there begins a bombing of parents with nutritionally "improved" products Designed specifically for children. What comes next, when the little ones grow up, is a real advertising harassment with industrial bakery foods and sweets that don't do them any good.
But apart from all these offers, there are foods that, although nobody announces them, provide all the vitamins, minerals, good quality fats, proteins and hydrates that children need. Each season also offers seasonal products especially tasty and full of nature and health. We will see, in a next topic, what autumn gives us.
