Cans and formulas are no longer in fashion. Today’s parents choose to breastfeed, or purchase organic formula, and produce their own carrots using food mills. But is that really what you need? With so many products promising health benefits, how can parents determine what’s best for their baby?
You can buy store-bought food that is perfectly healthy. But make sure you are buying the right type. One of the nation’s most respected experts in pediatric nutrition and health, Dr. William Sears is a best-selling author. These are five easy tips that will ensure your child’s healthy eating habits for the rest of their lives.
Five Tips from Dr. Sears for a Healthy Start
1. Children’s tastes should be shaped by parents, not controlled by them. Children will enjoy discovering new flavors, textures, colors, and nutrients if you provide them with plenty of healthy, diverse foods. Exercise patience. Young children might need to be exposed to a new food multiple times before they are able to enjoy it with gusto.
2. Always buy organic. Organic is best for children. Their bodies are not capable of handling the potential pollutants in non-organic food. They are more vulnerable to pesticides, other chemicals and toxic substances. Organic yogurt, such as YoBaby yogurts by Stonyfield Farm, is a great option. No artificial colors, flavors, or synthetic hormones, plenty of nutrition.
3. Start your children on the right path early. Your children should develop a passion for vegetables and fruits right from their infancy. Organic apples, apricots and cantaloupes, as well as green beans, cherries, peaches, pears and potatoes, are best. These fruits and vegetables can often be high in pesticides if grown conventionally.
4. Baby food additives should be avoided. Avoid high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils, trans fats and any color additive that has a number symbol. You can no longer add salt to commercial baby food, but you should still be aware of added sugar and modified foods starches. These are calories, but not nutrition.
5. Be a positive role model. Healthy-eating role models should be set by parents for their children.
Visit the websites askdrsears.com and yobabyyogurt.com for more information.
