To Your Health
March, 2008 (Vol. 02, Issue 03) |
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There are some foods you might want to avoid in the diet of a young infant, including:
- Gluten. This is a protein found in certain cereals which might lead to a child developing celiac disease.
- Salt. Avoid adding salt to your baby's food. Their miniature kidneys might not be able to process the sodium.
- Sugar. Restrict the amount and frequency of sugary foods and drinks. Young teeth possibly can be damaged from a very early age.
- Shellfish. Many types of shellfish cause an allergic reaction, and some fish (shark, marlin and swordfish) could contain high levels of methyl mercury, which can affect the nervous system.
- Whole/chopped nuts. These can present a choking risk. Peanuts also have been linked to allergy in some families.
- Honey. You should avoid honey in infants less than 1 year of age, as it might contain harmful bacteria.
The following are serving suggestions for the average 2-year-old:
| *Food Guide Pyramid |
| Servings Per Day | 1 Serving Equals |
GRAINS
6 servings per day | • 1/4-1/2 slice of bread
• 1/4 cup cereal, rice or pasta
• 1/4 cup dry cereal
• 1-2 crackers |
VEGETABLES
3 servings per day | • Cooked vegetables
• 1 tablespoon for every year of age |
FRUITS
2-3 servings per day | • 1/4 cup fruit
• 1/2 piece fresh fruit
• 1/4-1/2 cup juice |
DAIRY
2-3 servings per day | • 1 cup milk
• 2 ounces processed cheese
• 1-1/2 ounces natural cheese
• 1 cup yogurt |
PROTEIN
2 ounces per day | • 1 ounce of solid meat (two 1-inch cubes)
• 2 tablespoons of ground meat
• 2 tablespoons of cooked dry beans
• 1/2 egg, any size |
Richard Drucker, ND, is a licensed naturopath who has been performing concentrated research and work in the natural health and nutraceutical fields for more than 20 years. He is the CEO of Drucker Labs (www.druckerlabs.com).
