Abuse of protein in the infant diet

Ingest excess protein can lead serious health problems, Mostly because of its association with multiple nutrients from meat and other foods that wrongly they tend to abuse.

The energy contributed by protein in childhood should represent between 10% and 15% of total dietary calories. Just over half of them, about 65%, should be of animal origin, while the remaining 35% would have to make vegetable consumption.

But today's children's diets tend to move away from this general pattern and, usually, children eat more protein foods (dairy and meat, mainly) it would be advisable.

Keep in mind that eating too much animal protein implies a higher supply of calories, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. It is no coincidence that these nutrients are those that, in excess, are associated with development of chronic diseases with the highest incidence in adulthood: obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and kidney problems.

They are all good reasons for that, from an early age, taking into account the fair amount of animal protein foods that are required, especially those that provide dairy products, meat and meat products, fish and eggs. To these may be added together the grams of vegetable protein provided by cereals, legumes and nuts, considering that many of them are complementary if different vegetables are consumed together.

Protein for growth

The first year is critical from a nutritional standpoint because it is at this stage when the growth and development are the fastest in the life cycle. In just twelve months the baby three times the weight they had at the time of birth and almost doubles its size.

After one year the child enters a stage of transition between the rapid growth phase, typical of the infant, and the period of steady growth, ranging from almost three years until the onset of puberty. But it is already in the first year of life when there is evidence the physiological effect of nutrients: sugars and fat in milk and complementary food is eaten at this time will provide the energy needed to gain weight. Proteins that must be taken sufficient for growth and healthy development of all body tissues.

In general, the doctor only has a formula to measure good nutrition: comparing the weight and height of children with percentiles established for the child population by area and age. If the weight, size or both are inadequate for their age, the doctor will examine the health of children and who will be deemed if necessary to supplement the diet. If, however, the burden is disproportionate, the specialist will give precise instructions to moderate the amount of food from the infant diet.

Children supercharged

There are still many parents who worry that their children reject the steak that they have prepared. The conflict may be reduced if the rations were the reasonable and not transmitting the misconception that hunger is satisfied with proteins.

Many people do not conceive of taking no meat, fish or eggs both for lunch and dinner. They feel that the menu based on a first course of salad and a second based on rice, pasta or vegetable, or does not satisfy their appetite nor the children. Nothing is further from the truth. It is not healthy, for example, a toddler take two petit suisse picnic, eat two back wheels or two cheeses for dessert because these foods are added to a pint of milk your child drinks daily, and egg fish wheel or dinner. The result is a higher protein intake at 40 grams and 1200-1300 daily calories recommended for their age.

Give the child greater amounts of protein foods than you need is a habit so insane as it is not to insist on eating fruits, vegetables or fish. From a nutritional point of view, is out of kilter the contribution of protein and calories, and evidence that influences the genesis of excess weight and even the emerging childhood obesity.

The habit of eating between meals as a dessert or protein foods (yogurt, cheese, petit suisse, ham, sausages ...) travels to other equally healthy food and certainly more appropriate for that time. In those foods should be accommodated fruit and nuts, usually absent.
Just enough

Protein provides amino acids essential for growth and development of tissues and organs. In young children, their protein decreased progressively during the first three years.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in the first half of life a baby needs about 2.2 grams per kilo of body weight per day, an amount which decreases to 1.6 g / kg / day from the second half and year, and 1.2 g / kg / day during the first three years. This step, along with adolescence, are the two moments in life where protein needs are higher than those of adults, the WHO estimates at 0.8 g / kg / day.