Experts share their opinions on what parents can do to keep their children healthy and growing.
Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah Scott
As a parent, you naturally want to feed your child nutritious food. So it is understandable that you are concerned about the recent news that 60% of all baby food does not meet the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The research, which was published in Nutrientsfound that infant and toddler foods on supermarket shelves do not meet nutritional recommendations and that none of the foods meet WHO promotional standards, said Daisy Coyle, PhD, APD, BSc, the study’s lead researcher and a lecturer in food policy at UNSW Sydney.
“We found that all but four products had at least one prohibited claim on their packaging, with an average of four prohibited claims per package,” says Dr. Coyle. “These claims often give products a ‘health aura,’ making busy parents think they are much healthier than they are.”
What the study says about child nutrition
Dr. Coyle and her team tested 651 products at 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 HEB websites. They then looked at a variety of infant and toddler foods found in the baby food sections of local grocery stores in the following categories:
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Dry grains and starches
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Dairy products
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Fruit and vegetable purees, smoothies and fruit desserts
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Savory meals and meal components (including combinations of starches, vegetables, dairy, or traditional proteins)
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Snacks and appetizers
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Pastry shop
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Drinks
Cherilyn Davis (Cecchini), MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician who was not involved in the study, notes that the foods that didn’t meet the guidelines were typically too low in protein and too high in sugar. In fact, researchers found that only about 30% of these products met the WHO’s protein recommendations, and only 56% met the sugar guidelines. Additionally, 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 such as fruit bars, granola bars, puffed snacks and pouches,” said Dr. Davis.
The reality is that these foods are convenient, especially when you’re on the go, Dr. Davis adds. Parents don’t have to feel bad about that. “It’s OK for your child to eat these types of foods occasionally,” Dr. Davis says. “They’re unlikely to cause harm if eaten in moderation.”
That said, when consumed daily, they can increase the risk of childhood obesity, says Dr. Coyle. “Obesity in children ages 2 to 5 has more than doubled in the U.S. since the 1970s, with about 13 percent of preschoolers living with obesity.”
Childhood obesity often extends into adulthood, leading to health problems such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, she adds. “We need better regulation of these foods to support the health of our youngest generation.”
What should you pay attention to when buying baby food?
Armed with the realization that baby and toddler foods may not be exactly what they claim to be, experts advise ignoring marketing claims and talking to your child’s healthcare provider or a dietitian for suggestions on what to feed your little one. And when you go shopping, read the labels.
“The ingredients list and nutrition label give a much more accurate picture of what is in the product,” Dr. Coyle said.
In the United States, for example, it is mandatory to list added sugar on the label of a dietary supplement. Therefore, Dr. Coyle advises parents to flip a product over to see if it has added sugar and to choose products with the least amount of added sugar.
“Parents and caregivers have the right to know what they are feeding their children. The only way to achieve this is to check what is in the product,” she says.
Ideally, commercially prepared baby purees should have a small ingredient list, usually just the main fruit, vegetable or protein, and water to ensure the right consistency, says Kimberly Kramer, RD, a clinical dietitian at Nemours Children’s Health in Delaware Valley. “Baby cereals like rice and oatmeal should have added vitamins and minerals, which are important for brain growth and development.”
Kramer also suggests not labeling foods as “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 whole-food options with limited extra ingredients is key.”
Alternatives to commercial foods you can try
When deciding what to feed your baby or toddler, Dr. Davis recommends choosing fresh foods that are low in sodium and sugar and rich in protein and nutrients like iron and calcium.
“Your baby can eat whatever you’re eating, so that can often save time versus making 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 crush, eggs, well-cooked pasta, flaky fish, peas, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and oatmeal.”
Chelsea Britton, MS, RD, LD, CLC, CNSC, a neonatal dietitian in the clinical lactation and nutrition team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, also says that infant formula is a supplement to breast milk or iron-fortified formula. Both breast milk and iron-fortified formula meet most of a baby’s nutritional needs in the first year of life.
“Eating for 1 is just for fun,” she says. “It takes some of the pressure off families, knowing that the goal is to introduce a variety of foods from different food groups — whether store-bought or homemade — without it necessarily adding up to a significant calorie or nutrient intake, at least in the beginning.”
She also says that parents and caregivers aren’t limited to a few baby foods on the shelves. “Natural purees like yogurt, hummus, mashed beans, and mashed avocado are popular options,” she says. “Meanwhile, puffs and teethers are often helpful for older babies’ development. However, they also have a lower nutritional density. These serve a purpose, but should be used alongside solid foods.”
Whatever makes the most sense for your family’s lifestyle is the best option for your child, she says. Healthcare providers and dietitians can offer support and suggestions for eating, but ultimately the key is that “nourished is best,” she adds.
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Read the original article on Parents.