While taking care of the proper baby development, parents must provide it with a properly balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals, without unnecessary dyes and preservatives. The process of expanding the diet of infants should be carried out very carefully. Let’s take a look at what healthy food for babies is.
Why Is Proper Baby Nutrition So Important?
Babies and toddlers are at a much higher risk of food contaminants. This is because they:
- consume more food per 1 kg of body weight due to dynamic changes in nutritional needs;
- show higher absorption of food than adults due to the pH of gastric juice;
- have a higher metabolic rate;
- have a not yet fully developed detoxification processes.
In the baby’s body, the activity of enzymes responsible for harmful compounds’ metabolism is lower. In addition, immature kidneys do not yet excrete toxins as efficiently as adult human organs. An incompletely developed immune system cannot protect the body against harmful compounds. A level of pollution that poses no risk for an adult can be dangerous for babies. That is why organic food for children is so important in the context of their proper and sustainable development.
What Are the Benefits of Organic Food for Children?
“Why should I give my baby organic products?” is an almost as common question as, “How much water can a 6 month old have?” Organic food differs from conventional products commonly available on store shelves. Based on the analysis of studies covering fruits, vegetables, and cereals from organic farming and similar products from conventional crops, it was found that organic food:
- has a higher concentration of polyphenols, a higher content of phenolic acids, flavanones, stilbenes, flavones, flavonols, and anthocyanins;
- has a higher content of carotenoids (including lutein), xanthophylls, and vitamin C;
- has a higher dry matter content, which translates into better sensory quality (taste, aroma);
- has a significantly higher content of carbohydrates and a lower proportion of proteins, amino acids, and fiber;
- has a lower content of cadmium, nitrates, and nitrites.
Organic vegetables and fruits provide the child’s body with more antioxidants, which are important in preventing diseases such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, allergies, and digestive and nervous system diseases.
The higher content of carbohydrates and the low content of proteins and amino acids are the result of the type of fertilization used. In organic farming, plants have easy access to nitrogen contained in artificial fertilizers. As a result, they mainly produce compounds containing this element (amino acids, proteins, and peptides). Organic crops have a low nitrogen supply, which is why they produce more carbon-containing compounds (starch, cellulose, phenolic compounds, and vitamins)
Milk and meat from conventional and organic farms were also tested. They showed large differences, primarily in terms of the content of fatty acids and some minerals and antioxidants. Here are some conclusions from the research:
- organic meat and milk contain up to 50% more unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids.
- organic meat has a lower content of saturated fatty acids contributing to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- organic milk contain more conjugated linoleic acid, iron, vitamin E, and some carotenoids.
When choosing an organic formula based on organic cow’s or goat’s milk for your infant, you can also be assured it meets rigorous quality standards and satisfies your baby’s nutritional needs. Â
Healthy food for babies and toddlers is an excellent choice for every parent who wants to ensure the proper development of their child. Organic products are free of harmful substances and provide the body with valuable compounds. For both children and adults, it is a healthier alternative to conventional products.
