Understand if the little ones in the phase of introduction to food are free to taste the delights that make up the Christmas and New Year’s table
Turkey, cod, panettone, dried fruit, french toast… You can make your mouth water just thinking about the typical New Year’s Eve menu. The family meal is an important part of the Christmas and New Year celebrations and of course parents want to include children who are celebrating these dates for the first time. But I wonder what children who have already started introducing food might experienceto start entering the traditions, without harm to health?
Pediatrician Renata Aniceto, member of the Scientific Department of Outpatient Pediatrics of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) and specialist in infant nutrition, lists foods you can safely feed your baby and the dishes will have to wait a little longer to try.
Cod
“Fish is a source of animal protein rich in good fats like DHA (omega 3) and zinc,” she explains. “It also has important nutrients for neurodevelopment and immunity. it is preserved in salt which, according to the food introduction rules of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP), should be avoided — mostly in excess — in the first year of life,” she says. So, for now, it’s best to skip it. The good news is that you can substitute cod for other fish, such as salmon, tilapia or hake, to make delicious and nutritious recipes.
Fillet, loin and shank
“According to SBP’s Science Department of Nutrology, pork is allowed for babies from 6 months🇧🇷 But don’t fret”, warns Renata. In the composition of these products served at the end of the year, which are normally seasoned, we find ingredients not suitable for small children – glucose syrup, monosodium glutamate and dyes, for example. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the labels. “A better option would be to offer the pork itself, roasted or cooked, chunks or chunks, prepared with homemade spices,” he recommends.
chester or turkey
Almost green light! “Of all the Christmas meats, poultry is perhaps the most suitable,” says the pediatrician. According to her, the artificial components come in smaller quantities and the preservation tends to be more natural. “Even so, home-cooked poultry meat with natural seasonings and no salt is best,” she says.
candied fruit
They need to be deleted from the children’s menu, because they are prepared with sugar, an ingredient to be avoided altogether at least up to 2 years of age, as it is related to the development of several chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. “The best substitute is fruit, which is natural, delicious and helps us work on taste and eating habits in childhood,” she suggests.
Dried fruit
Now yes! “Raisins, prunes, and dates are examples of popular dried fruits. Other excellent options are coconut, apple, apricot, banana, fig, kiwi, mango, peach, pear, persimmon, pineapple, strawberry, and tomato,” says the doctor. The fruit is subjected to the dehydration process, which preserves it even in the absence of refrigeration. Therefore, it is a kind of food that can be eaten by children. Renata also gives a useful tip not only for Christmas and New Year, but for all months: “A very targeted use is that of raisins to sweeten recipes in this phase”🇧🇷 Pay attention only to the size and format, to avoid suffocation.
chestnuts and walnuts
Chestnuts and walnuts are excellent sources of DHA (omega 3) and selenium, two nutrients important in cognitive development, according to the pediatrician. “Here because, they can and should be eaten, as long as they are crushed and mixed with fruitThe recommendation is that ingestion is immediate, to avoid loss of nutrients.
panettone and chocolate
Remove from list! 🇧🇷 Industrialized products are not suitable for consumption in this age group“, says the expert. He explains that parents can make an exception, but only if they are homemade panettone, without sugar, sweetened with raisins.
Lentil
Who doesn’t want their child to start a new year with lots of abundance? According to popular traditions, eating lentils at midnight helps. Well, even if it’s just legend, if it doesn’t guarantee prosperity, at least it will guarantee a nutritious meal! “Lentils belong to the group of legumes. This vegetable protein is rich in iron and calcium and is indicated and released from 6 months of age.“, emphasizes the doctor.
grapes and pomegranate
Their consumption also promises good luck for the coming year. And they can already enter, yes, the menu for the little ones. «The fruits are released after the sixth month of life and, in addition to containing important vitamins, they have an antioxidant action, as they are rich in flavonoids», explains Renata. Have fun!
crumbs
The answer is, it depends! In fact, it depends on the preparation. “Farofas generally contain butter, which comes from cow’s milk and, therefore, is not suitable for children under the age of 1”, points out. According to her, however, it is possible to make a super nutritious chestnut farofa, for example.
rice with raisins
The end-of-year struggle… Rice with raisins or without raisins? Which side will your child be on? Just try to decide. And you can start right away! “Rice, whether brown or white, can be offered to children, including adding raisins,” she advises.
french toast
It’s best to give it time and wait a little longer. Renata explains that this typical Christmas recipe, which is delicious, uses ingredients such as milk and sugar, which are not allowed for children. 🇧🇷 An alternative is to make a recipe without milk and sugar., but you may not be able to taste authentic French toast! It’s worth waiting up to 1 year and making a sugar-free version,” he points out.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
