In our Special on Infant Feeding we continue with the nutrients in infant feeding. Sometimes we do not know very well to which group each food belongs and the function it fulfills so that our children have a healthy development, so we will talk about everything there is to know carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Each type of food covers basic needs in childhood, and it is important to provide all groups, not only to promote healthy growth of children, but also to prevent future diseases.
Proteins in infant feeding
We start with proteins, necessary for growth and essential for life. Not for nothing its name comes from the Greek protos, which means the first. They are essential for a correct cell functioning and are responsible for form the antibodies that protect the organism from infections.
In children it is more important than in adults the protein intake, because they are in continuous growth and use them to manufacture new tissues and increase body mass.
In turn, proteins are composed of amino acids, of which eight are essential, which means they cannot be made by the body itself, and need to be ingested.
They are classified into two types:
Proteins of animal origin: they are found in meats (cow, pig, lamb, rabbit, etc.), poultry (chicken, turkey, duck, etc.), eggs, fish, shellfish and mollusks. Sausages, when derived from meat products also contain animal proteins, but at the same time they contain a high proportion of saturated fats.
Proteins of plant origin: They are found in legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans, soybeans) and in nuts (nuts, hazelnuts, almonds).
65% of protein intake should be of animal origin, and the rest of plant origin.
Proteins are necessary, but in their right measure. They must assume between 10% and 15% of the dietBut the truth is that babies and children take too much protein causing their livers and kidneys to be overloaded with food that they are not able to process.
Non-assimilated proteins are transformed into fat that is stored as adiposites, favoring obesity and other diseases.
WHO and the Nutrition Committee of the American Academy of Medicine (Food and Nutrition Board) recommend consumption of 1.6 g / kg / day of protein or 20 g / day in babies between 6 and 12 months of age and it is estimated that they may be taking about 30 g / day.
The children in between 2 and 5 years, who need even less protein than babies because they no longer have to grow so much (they need to 14.5 and 16 grams of protein per day) are taking no less than 65 grams daily.
The children in between 6 and 9 years old, who need a daily amount of about 19 grams They are taking about 77 grams (more than triple).
Carbohydrates, the body's gasoline
Carbohydrates provide energy. They become inside the body in glucose, a sugar that all body cells need. Being "burned" provide the energy needed to perform daily activities, so they must always be present in a healthy breakfast.
They must contribute half the calories They are consumed daily.
The healthiest are known as complex carbohydrates, which are called starches and are found in cereal grains such as wheat, rice, rye, corn, and in tubers such as potatoes.
We also find carbohydrates in their derivatives such as bread, macaroni, noodles, etc., always better wholemeal because they contain bran and cereal fiber. On the other hand, in the refined ones the fiber has been eliminated.
Known as simple carbohydrates they are sugar and sucrose, used in the food industry in products such as sweets, candies, buns, jams, cakes, etc., which are the ones to avoid.
On the other hand, carbohydrates are low in fat and are rich in minerals and vitamins, especially group B. They contain low quality proteins, but if we combine legumes (rice, chickpeas, lentils, peas, etc.) with cereals such as rice, or pasta, a plate with high quality protein is obtained, similar to that obtained from a plate of meat or fish.
Vitamins in the children's diet
Vitamins are natural substances found in food and they are indispensable for growth, because they act as regulators in the metabolic processes of the organism.
An adequate supply of vitamins is achieved through a varied diet, and basically through the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin A: necessary for vision and for growth, present in whole milk, meat, liver, egg yolk, vegetables, fruits and vegetables, especially those of yellow and orange such as pumpkins, carrots, melons, apricots, corn, etc. Also in green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, endives, spinach, etc.
Group B vitamins: necessary for metabolism, present in meats, vegetables, cereals and fruits.
Vitamin C: present in all fresh fruits, especially oranges, lemons, grapefruits, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, as well as vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin D: can be taken in food or formed on the skin by the action of sunlight. It is necessary to fix calcium in the bones and mineralize the skeleton. It is found in meat, fish, especially fatty, and egg.
Vitamin E: It is a natural antioxidant that protects against aging and tissue degradation. It is found in whole grains, olive oil, sunflower oil, almonds, green leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach, escarole, etc.).
Vitamin K: necessary for the processes of blood clotting and red blood cell formation. It is found in green leafy vegetables, the darker the leaf is, the more vitamin K it contains. Also in broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, vegetable oils, dairy and meats.
Minerals, an important complement
The most important minerals for growth are iron, calcium and iodine. There are also others such as zinc, phosphorus, iodine, etc.
The iron It is necessary for the formation of blood. Growing up, the volume of blood is increasing, so your iron intake should be greater than in adults. It is found in lean meats, especially liver, legumes, egg yolk, fruit, nuts and breakfast cereals.
The calcium It is essential for the formation of the skeleton, therefore the consumption of foods rich in calcium is essential in children in full growth. It is found mainly in milk and dairy products such as cheese, yogurt. Also in mollusks (mussels and octopus), seafood (shrimp and prawns), vegetables such as peas, soybeans, spinach, cabbage and almonds, hazelnuts and sesame seeds.
The iodine It is an essential mineral for the development and growth of the child and to regulate important functions such as heart rate or body temperature. It is present in fish, shellfish, seaweed, asparagus.
As you can see, one varied infant feeding provide all nutrients that the child needs to grow healthy. Carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals they are foods that cannot be missing in the children's menu because each one has an essential function.
