Good nutrition is a family concern. If you want healthy babies who will grow as healthy children and adults, you as parents have to create a healthy lifestyle and lead by example. Children are products of their parents, who they are is largely down to their upbringing. Good nutrition doesn’t have to come at a high price. So, bad nutrition can’t be blamed on the economy, the rising cost of living or the lack of time
What is good nutrition?
Good nutrition means a proper balance of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Of course it is best to get these nutrients from varied sources, but not necessary. Once food reached the stomach, they all get mixed up and the body doesn’t care whether the source of protein came from chicken or beefsteak, or the carbohydrates came from organic brown rice or your local supermarket’s value porridge oats.
Good nutrition for babies
Babies from 0-4 months get their nutrients from their milk. Formula milk are specifically prepared to contain the nutrients that babies need, while nutrients on breastmilk came from the mother’s diet and her body reserves. If the mother’s diet is deficient, it is likely to affect the quality of her milk, so it is important that mothers have a balanced diet. Of course, this is not a reason to choose to use formula milk. After all, it is easier, safer and cheaper to provide mothers good nutrition than opting for formula milk.
Main goals for improving nutrition:
Babies, children and adults all have the same basic goals for improving nutrition. They are:
1. Increase level of complex carbohydrates
2. Reduce intake of foods high in sugar and refined foods
3. Reduce salt intake
4. Reduce intake of fats for children over two years old and adults
To increase the level of your complex carbohydrates, opt for unrefined energy food like brown bread, brown rice, pasta, potatoes, and oats. Some fruits and vegetables like spinach, artichokes, courgette, Brussels sprout, broccoli and beans are also rich in complex carbohydrates.
White rice and bread from refined flour are not very good source of complex carbohydrates as the refining process strips them of their Vitamin B, fibre and other minerals content.
Proteins on the other hand can be found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, tofu, nuts and seeds. Meat and fish proteins are easily absorbed in the body. Nuts and seeds rich in proteins are almonds, pistachios, peanuts, pine nuts, pecan, Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and flax seeds.
Vitamins and minerals are more abundant in fruits and vegetables.
