Experts weigh in on what parents can do to keep their kids healthy and growing.
Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah Scott
As a parent, you naturally want to feed your child nutritious food. That’s why it’s understandable if you’re concerned about the recent news that 60% of all baby foods don’t meet standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The study, which was published in Nutrients, found that infant and toddler foods on supermarket shelves fail to meet nutritional recommendations and none of them meet the promotional standards set by the WHO, says Daisy Coyle, PhD, APD, BSc, the lead researcher for the study and food policy conjoint lecturer at UNSW Sydney.
“We found that all but four products featured at least one prohibited claim on the pack, with an average of four prohibited claims per pack,” says Dr. Coyle. “These claims often give products a ‘health halo,’ deceiving busy parents into thinking they are much healthier than they are.”
What the Study Says About Kids’ Food
Dr. Coyle and her team tested 651 products across eight food retailers in North Carolina including Kroger, Costco, Publix, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Aldi, and Ahold Delhaize. They also included products from the Safeway and H-E-B websites. Consequently, they looked at a variety of infant and toddler foods found in the baby food sections at local supermarkets in the following categories:
-
Dry cereals and starches
-
Dairy foods
-
Fruit and vegetable purées, smoothies, and fruit desserts
-
Savory meals and meal components (which included combinations of starches, vegetables, dairy, or traditional proteins)
-
Snacks and finger foods
-
Confectionery
-
Drinks
Cherilyn Davis (Cecchini), MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatricianwho is not affiliated with the study, notes that the foods that didn’t meet the guidelines most commonly contained too little protein and too much sugar. In fact, researchers discovered that only about 30% of these products complied with the WHO’s protein recommendations and only 56% complied with sugar guidelines. Plus, many of the claims made—such as “no pesticides,” “organic,” and “no preservatives”—are prohibited by the WHO.
“These findings were particularly evident in snack and finger foods like fruit bars, cereal bars, puffed snacks, and pouches,” says Dr. Davis.
The reality is these foods are convenient, especially when on the go, adds Dr. Davis. Parents shouldn’t feel bad about that. “It’s OK if your child eats these types of foods now and then,” says Dr. Davis. “Consuming them in moderation is unlikely to be harmful.”
That said, if consumed daily, they could increase a child’s risk of obesity, says Dr. Coyle. “Obesity in children aged 2 to 5 has more than doubled in the U.S. since the 1970s, with approximately 13% of preschool children living with obesity.”
Childhood obesity also frequently extends into adulthood, which can lead to health problems, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, she adds. “We need better regulation for these foods to support the health of our youngest generation.”
What To Look for When Buying Kid Food
Armed with the understanding that baby and toddler foods may not be exactly what they claim to be, experts recommend ignoring marketing claims and talking to your child’s health care provider or a dietitian for suggestions on what to feed your little one. And when shopping, scour the labels.
“The ingredients list and nutrition label provide a far more accurate representation of what is in the product,” says Dr. Coyle.
For instance, added sugar labeling is mandatory on the nutrition panel in the United States, so Dr. Coyle suggests parents flip over a product to check added sugar levels and pick products with the lowest amount of added sugar.
“Parents and carers deserve to know what they are feeding their children, and the only way to achieve this is to double-check what is in the product,” she says.
Ideally, commercially prepared infant purées should have a small ingredient list, usually just the main fruit, veggie, or protein, and water to ensure the right consistency, says Kimberly Kramer, RD, a clinical dietitian with Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley. “Baby cereals like rice and oatmeal should have added vitamins and minerals, which are important for growth and brain development.”
Kramer also suggests not labeling foods “good” and “bad” when discussing food in front of your kids. Many foods can be included in a well-balanced, nutritionally complete diet for little ones, she says. “Sticking to the options made from whole foods with limited additional ingredients is the key.”
Alternatives to Commercial Foods You Can Try
When deciding what to feed your baby or toddler, Dr. Davis recommends opting for fresh foods when you’re able that are low in sodium, low in sugar, and high in protein and nutrients like iron and calcium.
“Your baby can eat whatever you’re eating, so that can often save time rather than preparing a separate meal,” says Dr. Davis. “When they’re ready for finger foods look for soft, easy-to-swallow options like banana, avocado, berries that you can smash, eggs, well-cooked pasta, flaky fish, peas, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and oatmeal.”
Likewise, Chelsea Britton, MS, RD, LD, CLC, CNSC, a neonatal dietician with the clinical lactation and nutrition team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, says baby foods are complementary to human milk or iron-fortified formula. Both human milk and iron-fortified infant formula meet the majority of a baby’s nutrient needs for the first year of life.
“Food before 1 is just for fun,” she says. “This takes some of the pressure off families knowing the goal is to introduce a variety of foods from different food groups—whether store-bought or homemade—without it necessarily counting for significant calorie or nutrient intake, at least at first.”
She also says parents and caregivers are not confined to a few baby foods offered on the shelf. “Natural purees like yogurt, hummus, smashed beans, and smashed avocado are popular options,” she says. “Meanwhile, puffs and teethers are often useful developmentally for older infants. However, they also are lower in nutrient density. These serve a purpose but should be used alongside table foods.”
Whatever makes the most sense for your family’s lifestyle is the best option for your child, she says. Health care providers and dietitians can provide support and offer food ideas, but, in the end, the key is that “fed is best,” she adds.
For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Parents.
link