What are the best foods for babies?

Giving sweets to young children is common but did you know that too much sugar at an early age may affect their eating habits?

Introducing sugary foods too early may develop a strong preference for sweet tastes. As a result children may become less interested in vegetables and other foods that are not sweet.

How do sweet foods affect Children’s diet?

Babies and young children have a sensitive sense of taste. Regularly giving them sweet foods may make it harder for them to accept different flavours.

This can reduce variety in their diet and may increase the risk of missing important nutrients.  Introducing different natural flavours at an early age can help children develop healthier eating habits.

Which foods should be avoided?

Parents should avoid adding sugar, corn syrup and other sweet ingredients to babies’ food especially during the first year of life. Honey should never be given to babies under 12 months because it can cause a serious illness called infant botulism.

Parents should also avoid giving children too much protein. Excessive protein intake may put extra pressure on developing kidneys and has also been linked to a higher risk of obesity later in life.

What foods should babies eat?

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies during the first six months. If breastfeeding is not possible or sufficient suitable infant formula can be used after consulting a healthcare professional.

At around six months parents can start introducing simple nutritious solid foods alongside breast milk or formula.

Offering different foods and natural flavours can help babies become familiar with a variety of tastes and develop healthy eating habits as they grow.