Are bland foods best for babies?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was consulted with Dr. Nguyen Thai Ngoc Chau - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.

1. What is the Paleo Infant Diet?

Experts in infant nutrition recommend that parents establish a bland diet for their babies called BRAT, which stands for bananas (Bananas), rice (Rice), apple sauce (Applesauce) and Toast (Toast). Of course, the foods mentioned above are only symbolic, but in reality, the BRAT diet consists of foods with a soft texture, mild flavor, low in fiber and easy for children to digest. This diet is especially effective for babies who have a lot of gastrointestinal problems because the foods recommended in this diet have the ability to reduce digestive stimulation in children.
Children should eat in small and continuous meals throughout the day, but be careful not to let them eat their last meal too close to their sleep. Parents should also consult with experts or doctors about what foods should and should not be included in a child's bland diet. The general guidelines below can help your baby get started on a light diet in the most reasonable way.

Foods that should be included in the paleo diet include:
Filtered water, breast milk, formula milk, clear liquids, juices, rehydration and electrolyte solutions, bone broth without further preparation. any noodles or salt. Cereals, oatmeal, pasta, mashed banana, apple sauce, cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, soup, bread.... Dry toast, crackers.... Foods to avoid in your child's bland diet are fruits, raw vegetables, beans, and spices.
Some babies may be sensitive to lactose in milk or formula, making their gastrointestinal problems worse when drinking this sugar. In that case, use an oral rehydration solution instead of milk or formula.
However, children should only be on the BRAT paleo diet for a short time because it does not provide the full range of nutrients as other healthy diets. Applying a bland diet for too long can make a child's body malnourished. That means your baby isn't getting the right amount of important nutrients he needs. If the body is malnourished, the child's resistance will decrease and it will be more difficult for the child to recover from the disease. Children can begin a normal diet of fruits and vegetables about 24 to 48 hours after vomiting or diarrhea, and parents should also consult with their doctor before introducing a regimen. light food for babies.

2. Are bland foods good for babies?

The answer seems to be no, in traditional American culture, they start infants with bland foods and then introduce other foods with new flavors, salty and spicy. a little more as if to let children gradually approach and get used to the dishes on an ascending ladder. However, there is no scientific evidence that this is plausible. Many other cultures around the world introduce salty or even spicy foods to babies as soon as they start solids, without affecting their development later in life.
Therefore, parents should encourage their children to enjoy foods with different flavors from the beginning. Add some cinnamon, ginger or other spices to your baby's diet. Or stir a little mint into peas and potatoes to help your baby have more interesting experiences about the taste of dishes. However, it should be noted that babies eat very little, so the spices added to their dishes should not be too much. Start with little by little spice and observe your baby's reaction to those foods. Parents may be surprised to discover that their baby really enjoys the smell of basil or coriander when added to dishes and realize that they have developed their own taste for foods. . Another thing to watch out for is that too much sugar or salt should not be added, as doing so can create a habit of loving these less healthy additives.
Some spices such as sugar and salt are recommended by infant nutritionists not to be added too much to a child's diet. However, some other spices are recommended to help children get used to and have interesting experiences with many different flavors of food. Even a healthy paleo diet like BRAT is not recommended much because they have almost no effect in supplementing nutrients needed for a child's development. It's important to instill healthy eating habits in your child and help him develop his own tastes.

Children in the period from 6 months to 3 years old are very susceptible to respiratory problems, respiratory infections, skin diseases and gastrointestinal infections... parents need to pay special attention to the care and provision of adequate nutrition for children.
Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiency causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption,... If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
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Reference source: babycenter.com