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Cereals are an essential element of a properly balanced menu. They provide the body with many important nutrients, such as carbohydrates and dietary fiber. The first encounter with cereal products takes place already in infancy (at the stage of expanding the diet – right after vegetables and fruits). Kaszki, cereals, bread, flour, pasta, cookies – the group of cereal products is very large. Will all of them be the right choice for the young and still developing child’s organism? Find out the expert opinion.
Cereals in a child’s diet should be safe in the first place
Babies and toddlers belong to a special group of consumers – in the first 1000 days of life, the young organism develops constantly and dynamically. Its protective barriers – the immune system and organs – mature, and the metabolism is shaped. It is for this reason that the youngest are very sensitive to the influence of external factors, including the food they eat. The products selected for them should come from a proven source, be of high quality and safe. In order for the baby or toddler to receive food that is safe for him and tailored to his unique needs, it is worth reaching for food intended especially for children, with age indication on the packaging. Such a marking – and not a colorful packaging or a funny animal on it – gives parents confirmation that the product is tailored to the needs and skills of a child at a specific stage of development.
An example of cereal products intended especially for infants and young children are porridges. Their producers, as well as other products in this category (e.g. meals in jars, fruit purees or mousses), are obliged to comply with strict quality standards specified by law. Moreover, depending on the manufacturer’s internal standards, the cereals contained in such porridges can pass up to several hundred quality and safety tests. The characteristic inscription on the label, the so-called indication of age – e.g. after 6 or 10 months of age.
Bet on valuable and varied grains
What matters is the quality and safety of the selected cereal products, as well as their type. In order for a toddler’s diet to be valuable and varied, it is worth considering grains of different varieties. A variety of grains provide the body with the energy necessary for the development of the nervous system, as well as for the child’s daily activities, including learning and playing.
…porridges intended for babies contain a full range of nutrients in balanced proportions? They contain carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and are also enriched with vitamins, e.g. from group B, and minerals, such as iron, magnesium and zinc.
To give your baby a wholesome meal, Always prepare the porridge (both dairy and non-dairy) according to the instructions on the packaging.
On the store shelf you can find a wide range of porridges composed of selected various grains, such as wheat, including spelled, millet, rye, oats, rice and buckwheat. Cereals used for their production come only from controlled crops – when selecting them, factors such as climate, temperature and sunlight are taken into account. The porridges are available in many flavors and variants – non-dairy porridges, milk porridges, with the addition of fruit or composed exclusively of cereals.
Naturally, without unnecessary additives
When composing a toddler’s menu, it is worth remembering that generally available foods are products intended for adults or older siblings. Many of them may contain too much salt, as well as food additives that are not recommended in the diet of children. Thanks to porridges prepared in accordance with the description on the packaging, infants and young children receive a wholesome meal, tailored to their needs at various stages of development. The recipes of porridges are developed by specialists in the field of nutrition.
The delicate organism of an infant or small child is extremely sensitive to the ingredients contained in food. Therefore, when choosing cereal products, you should pay special attention to their composition. In accordance with the law, there are porridges for infants and young children on the Polish market without preservatives, no dyes or flavor enhancers. You can also find these no added sugar * or no palm oil. By reaching for them, the parent can be sure that they have been composed in such a way that they contain what is good for their child.
It is recommended to continue breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods. Breastfeeding should continue for as long as desired by mother and baby. Breastfeeding is best for your baby.
* Contains naturally occurring sugars from cereals.