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The Different Food Groups Your Child Needs For A Healthy Start In Life.
The different food groups your child needs.
Your baby needs many different food groups for a balanced, healthy diet. These food groups are:
• carbohydrates
• proteins
• fats
• and minerals.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the group that provides essential energy. It gives your baby immediate energy
and helps to keep him or her active and healthy. In the first few months of your baby’s life, all
your baby’s energy needs will be provided by lactose, a carbohydrate found in breast milk or
infant formula.
Once your baby moves onto solids and reduces their dependence on breast milk or formula, their
source of complex carbohydrates will be derived from starches such as pasta, bread, potatoes,
cereals and rice. Fruits such as apples, bananas, and grapes and vegetables such as carrots,
peas and sweet potatoes all contain carbohydrates. If your baby enjoys a variety of these foods
he or she will get all the carbohydrates they require for rapid growth and an active day.
Carbohydrates are also present in sugary foods, such as lollies, biscuits, jams, chocolate, soft
drinks and cordials. Beware of these options! They are extremely high in refined sugars, have no
nutritional value, cause tooth decay, can lead to a craving for sugar and possibly obesity. Please
steer clear of all of the above!!
Protein
Protein is the main material that the body needs for growth development and also keeps the body
in a good state of repair. Babies need more protein than adults due to the fast growth of the
basic body tissues such as the brain, muscles, blood and skin, particularly in their first few years.
Animal protein is obtained from meat, fish, eggs and dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt.
Vegetable protein is obtained from cereals, nuts, lentils, pasta rice and root vegetables.
Fibre
Fibre is another
food group your baby needs, as it encourages good digestion and keeps us
regular! Fibre or roughage is found in fruits and vegetables, wholemeal and wholegrain breads
and cereals and nuts.
Fats
Fats are another important group to include in your baby's diet. Smaller amounts of fat is needed
compared to the other food groups, however, they are an important part of your baby’s diet as
they are a source of essential fatty acids and vitamins. The fat stored by the body will protect your
baby from heat loss. There are many different kinds of fats, such as saturated fats,
polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats. Saturated fats come from animals, while
polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are found in avocados, which is one of the first solid
foods your baby will probably eat.
Vitamins and minerals
Your baby requires many and minerals for healthy development. In summary, a varied,
healthy diet will provide your baby with all the and minerals they need.
Minerals such as calcium, essential for healthy bones and teeth, is found in dairy products and
leafy green vegetables. Iron is found in commercially prepared rice cereal, red meat and some
green vegetables.
Salt or sodium is found in vegetables, fluoride is provided by our water supply and magnesium is
found in cabbage and potatoes. Phosphorous is found in breast milk and formula, whilst
potassium, essential for maintaining water balance and muscle and nerve activity, is found in
bananas, a great favourite of many babies (and their mums).
Your baby requires many vitamins, especially C and A. Vitamin C is found particularly in
citrus fruits, whilst vitamin A is found in yellow, green and orange fruits and vegetables.
For more information about food groups, refer to the information pages found at
www.yummybeginnings.com
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