Table Truths: 7 Baby Food Myths Debunked

Mom told you to feed your baby rice first but lola says to go with potatoes. With conflicting opinions on what and how your baby’s first meal should be, feeding time becomes a challenge for any parent who’s new to the routine.

Here are some baby food myths, along with the facts that will put you at ease during mealtimes.


Myth#1: When introducing food to your baby, the order to follow is rice-fruits-vegetables-meat.

Fact: There is truth to this statement, but the reasons behind this order are based on the idea of the food pyramid. Lia Padilla-Medalla, M.D., a pediatrician and lecturer on children’s nutrition at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, says, “The food pyramid tells you how much of a certain food group should be given. It guides you if you are giving all the food groups at the right amount.”

Rice and rice cereals are usually given first because these are easy to manipulate. You can adjust the consistency to make it either very thick or thin. So whether combined with soup or broth, rice makes for an ideal first meal. Mashed foods are next on the list, and you may start with either fruits or vegetables.

These must be almost liquid to avoid choking and to ensure easy digestion. Meats are tough to mash, which is why they are given last.


Myth #2: It’s not a good idea to give your child food with spices. Stick to bland-tasting food.

Fact: Race and culture figure greatly in a child’s ability to tolerate spice. The genetic makeup allows the taste buds to either be very sensitive or numb. “When culture comes in, there are many things we cannot avoid. Like in Korea, they never eat anything without kimchi, or in India, they never eat anything without spice,” explains Dr. Medalla.

When seasoning your child’s food, consider how much sugar or salt you will add. Excess in sugar could lead to obesity in the future.

It is also not advisable to heavily salt your baby’s food because her kidneys cannot tolerate a high amount just yet.

 

Click here to see more baby food myths debunked.

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Read on to see more baby food myths debunked.

 

Myth #3: There is a strong family history of allergies against a particular type of food so you must never feed this to your baby.

Fact: Allergies are developed after repeated exposure to a certain substance or food. For example, just because majority of your family members are allergic to berries doesn’t mean you can’t let your child have them. Luz Callanta, a professor on food and nutrition at the University of the Philippines, says, “Allergies are not inherited. When you introduce one food, stick to it for two to four days. That’s only when you’ll know if your child is allergic or not.”

But it’s a matter of timing when it comes to highly allergenic food. Consult an allergologist for his recommendations. Try not to sensitize your child too early— introduce these foods only when your little one has reached her fi rst year.


Myth #4: You should never feed your baby fatty foods.

Fact: The truth behind this myth is this: We need fat in our diet. “Fats and oils, even if they’re not a food group, are found at a small proportion in the food pyramid. This statement about fatty foods needs to be classified,” suggests Dr. Medalla.

When you’re choosing the food to give to your child, examine the fat content. There are some oils that are good for your baby such as unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats can be found in fi sh oil, canola oil, and olive oil. On the other hand, transfat, or the bad fat, should be zero or minimal.


Myth #5: Bottled baby food makes for a picky eater.

Fact: There are plenty of reasons why a baby grows up to be a picky eater. Every child is different, and some factors to consider when it comes to introducing your little one to food are your child’s environment, family history, and personality. Your own food choices may also affect your baby’s tastes. “If the mother is too meticulous with the food she gives, then you might end up raising a picky eater,” advises Dr. Medalla.

What’s important is to make feeding time a fun experience with an assortment of food, whether bottled or homemade.

But Professor Callanta cautions mothers: “Masarap ang baby food; some kids will really look for the flavor. They don’t get satisfi ed with just one serving and they tend to fi nish one bottle!” Meals then must not just be enjoyable, but also given in the right portion.

 

Click here to see more baby food myths debunked.

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Read on to see more baby food myths debunked.

 

Myth #6: Commercial baby food is safer than homemade baby food because it’s been processed and sterilized.

Fact: It is true that store-bought baby food had to go through rigorous quality control, but it does not guarantee 100 percent safety.

Food prepared at home can also pose the same threat to your baby.

Also, homemade meals may spoil easily because preservatives are not added. When it comes to baby food, Professor Callanta advises: “Use the freshest ingredients, follow strict preparations, and always make sure your hands are clean!”


Myth #7: You must not give your baby chocolates.

Fact: “Chocolate has an allergenic component,” Professor Callanta says. It would then be best not to give your child chocolates at an early age so that sensitizing her can be delayed. Also, parents often link eating chocolate with various ailments like sore throat and upset stomach. These ideas are false, and what you must really avoid is giving your little one a large amount. When it comes to sweets, always keep the portion at a minimum.


Mealtime Suggestions
Here, some tasty stuff that you can make for your cute babe, according to Luz Callanta, nutritionist and professor, College of Home Economics, University of the Philippines.
•    Sour soup. Good old sinigang makes for a great meal for your baby. “You don’t include the vegetables just yet. Take the soup and mix it with rice,” she says.
•    Very Corn-y! In Cebu, corn is included in a baby’s diet.

Instead of rice, corn grains make for an equally nutritious meal. Monggo is another substitute you can try.
•    First oatmeal. Instead of rice cereals, introduce your baby to a different type of food texture by feeding her some oatmeal. Just adjust the consistency according to your baby’s ability to eat.
•    Yes to potatoes! Root crops like potatoes and sweet potatoes are common mashed food choices. But Professor Callanta advises mothers to be careful with cassava. “It’s tricky to prepare this, and if you don’t do it right, there is a chance for food poisoning.”


Photo from sxc.hu

SOURCES:
● Lia Padilla-Medalla, M.D., general pediatrician, Healthway Shangri-La Plaza Mall and Cardinal Santos Medical Center, San Juan
● Luz Callanta, R.N.-D., M.S.N., nutritionist and professor, College of Home Economics, University of the Philippines
● Websites: bbc.co.uk; calorielab.com; wholesomebabyfood.com