All parents care about the health of their children and try to ensure that they receive only healthy foods that are safe for the body and contain as many vitamins as possible. However, it is not so easy to understand the variety of children’s drinks that are offered in stores, because they are all recommended for children and look very attractive. Many mothers, especially in the first year of a baby’s life, prepare a drink for him on their own, from the point of view of medicine, this position is the most correct – such drinks do not contain dyes and preservatives, although parents do not always have enough time and energy to prepare them. The main rule that should be followed when choosing a drink for a child is not to insist on what he does not like, while moderately limiting what attracts him, since most children prefer sugary drinks that may contain too much sugar.
It’s hard to overestimate the benefits for children milk drinks… Milk is the most natural element of a child’s nutrition literally from the first days of life, it contains calcium, which is necessary for the normal formation of the skeleton and teeth, as well as a whole set of proteins and fats, thanks to which the development of the muscular system, organs and tissues is possible. Milk contains a record amount of vitamins and microelements: A, E, D, B1, B2 B12, PP, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, iodine, fluorine, aluminum, silicon and rather rare selenium. ensuring the normal development of the pancreas. After six months, it is useful for a child to give other dairy products – kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt. Kefir is the first to enter the child’s table after milk, primarily due to the fact that the unique bacteria and fungi contained in it contribute to the formation of normal intestinal microflora, which is necessary for the assimilation of heavier, “adult” food. In addition, kefir normalizes metabolism in general, improves immunity. Kefir flora destroys many pathogenic bacteria, including pathogens of intestinal infections and tuberculosis. Other dairy drinks that are popular with children include yoghurts and yoghurt drinks, some of which also contain beneficial bacterial cultures. These foods can be included in the baby’s diet starting from eight months.
Most useful for older children juices, especially those made from fresh fruits and vegetables, however, those sold in stores with a special “for children” badge are also safe for health and contain essential vitamins. To choose the right factory juice, you need to familiarize yourself with the age for which it is recommended and whether the expiration date has expired. There are freshly squeezed and reconstituted juices on the market, which practically do not differ in their value, as well as nectars and juice drinks consisting of juice, water, honey, citric acid and other vitamins produced by artificial means. The benefits of such products for the child’s body are small. The best juices for children – pumpkin juice containing pectin, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, E; carrot, which contains practically the same set of trace elements and beta-carotene; banana, which contains a large amount of folic acid and dietary fiber; apple and pear, containing vitamins C, P, calcium, iron, copper. These juices can be used as complementary foods from 6 months of age, as they practically do not cause an allergic reaction. All the rest are best gradually added to familiar drinks, for example, add a little orange, peach or apricot juice to apple juice, so you can diversify the baby’s diet and gradually accustom his stomach to more complex foods.
Baby teas have little in common with ordinary black tea. As a rule, this is an infusion of safe and healthy herbs that strengthen the baby’s digestive system and reduce intestinal pain. Teas for the little ones contain chamomile, lemon, fennel, mint, anise in various proportions. There are special soothing teas for babies with insomnia and a tendency to cry and scream a lot. These children’s drinks are most in demand in the summer, when, at high temperatures and dryness, the need for water increases rapidly, in addition, it is convenient to take a bottle with such tea with you for a walk. The simplest drink is fennel infusion or dill water, it successfully fights against the main problem of children under one year old – flatulence and abdominal pain, is also useful for a nursing mother, as it increases lactation, and is easily made at home. Anise and chamomile have a similar effect, to which you can add lemon, which contains a large amount of vitamin C and mint, which strengthens the heart and blood vessels.