Snack for the little ones: the most common mistakes and those to avoid. Here's how to make the right choice!

According to the recommendations of pediatricians, a child's daily calorie intake should be divided into 4-5 meals: breakfast plus snack 20%, lunch 40%, snack 10%, dinner 30%. The portions must be suitable for the age of the child. So snacks and snacks, if chosen carefully, integrate well with infant nutrition, and are part of good daily habits.

It is never too early to get off to a good start. The health of a child in fact sets itself very early, even from the prenatal period. It is precisely during the wait and then from birth to the first two years of life that the foundations for future health can be laid. These are the so-called first 1,000 days, which are fundamental for its development. In fact, scientific research has shown that nutrition plays an essential role in this period of life. In these 1,000 days there are some crucial stages also for the health of the future adult: they are the months of pregnancy, breastfeeding and weaning.

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Among these, weaning is one of the fundamental moments: from the sixth month the baby is ready to integrate mother's milk with another nourishment. It is in this delicate moment that he learns about new tastes and flavors. And it is at this moment that we need to start setting up a correct diet.
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It is necessary to pay attention to the quality and variety of the foods that make up the child's diet, avoiding adding salt or sugar: the child will thus learn to know and appreciate the natural taste of foods. And watch out for the portions! Too abundant dishes can contribute to future overweight and obesity problems. Just contact your pediatrician for some advice on how to set up proper nutrition for the baby and attention must continue even as the baby grows. In fact, do not fall into the mistake, for example at the age of two, of considering him already a "little adult" and offering him the same food as the rest of the family, simply in smaller portions.

The little one needs specific nutrition that guarantees a good balance between macronutrients, such as proteins, and micronutrients, such as iron and sodium. There are specific foods for early childhood, which accompany the child from weaning to three years of age: they are products made exclusively for him, which guarantee to satisfy his nutritional needs in maximum safety. The legislation on baby food is in fact much more restrictive in terms of the safety of raw materials and allows the child's body to be better protected from residues of contaminants potentially present in food.

Great attention must also be paid to choosing snacks and snacks, no less important than other meals. Especially since these are the moments in which too often we tend to overdo the use of sugar. One problem to pay particular attention to from weaning onwards is in fact the risk of excess sugar. Infants and young children often consume much more simple sugars, that is sugars added to foods, compared to the percentage of 10% of the total energy recommended by WHO, the World Health Organization. Sugars that are present for example in syrups or fruit juices. According to the WHO, a 5% reduction would bring even more health benefits.

These substances are not necessary for the body but are added only to increase the sweet taste of food, preventing the child from appreciating authentic and natural flavors. If in these delicate ages you overdo it with simple sugars, as adults you will be led to prefer sweeter flavors. In addition, sugary products contain so-called "empty calories". Children who consume too much sugar get low amounts of micronutrients such as calcium, zinc, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid. Excess free sugars also increases the risk of tooth decay. Finally, sugars and especially sugary drinks lead to a greater risk of childhood obesity.

After 12 months, mothers seem to be even more permissive about the consumption of simple sugars. But the right advice is not lacking. The pediatrician knows how to indicate the correct choices and warns against common mistakes such as the abuse of salt and sugar. In fact, the family pediatrician remains the main point of reference for guiding children's nutrition.

Generally, infants and young children consume much more free sugars, that is sugars added to foods, compared to the percentage of 10% of the total energy recommended by WHO, the World Health Organization. Sugars that are present for example in syrups or fruit juices. According to the WHO, a 5% reduction would bring even more health benefits. Free sugars are not essential for infants and young children. Remember that these substances are added only to increase the sweet taste of food. If in these delicate ages you overdo it with free sugars, as adults you will be led to prefer sweeter flavors. In addition, sugary products contain so-called "empty calories". Children who consume too much sugar get a low amount of micronutrients such as calcium, zinc, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid. Excess free sugars also increases the risk of tooth decay. Finally, sugars and especially sugary drinks lead to a greater risk of childhood obesity.

After 12 months, mothers seem to be more permissive about the consumption of simple sugars. This trend leads to "exceeding" the recommended limit. But the right advice is not lacking. The pediatrician knows how to indicate the correct choices and warns against common mistakes such as anticipating the use of cow's milk before the year, and introducing salt and sugar early.There are also specific products for children, regulated by ad hoc legislation, which guarantee nutritional safety and quality. However, the family pediatrician remains the main point of reference for guiding children's nutrition.
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