Sweets, pastries, cakes, lollipops, jam - it's hard to imagine a child's childhood without sweets. And it's not just about the positive emotions that children get when savoring marmalade or ice cream, sweets are a source of energy. A variety of sugar-containing goodies are also essential for normal brain function. And some sweets are a source of vitamins and other valuable substances. At what age can babies be given sweets?
Sweets are relative because these foods may contain varying amounts of sugar or fructose. However, parents include pies, cookies, sweets and cakes in the same group. It is recommended to give sweets to children after a year. In the first year of life, a baby should be introduced to natural sweets - fruits, berries.
Time for sweet
At the age of one year, the child develops food addictions. And it depends only on mom and dad what habits a little person will learn in early childhood. Pediatricians are confident that babies do not need sweetened food and water. This is because the baby gets to know the sweet from the first days of life, eating lactose-rich breast milk. Sweetening the same kefir, cottage cheese or fruit puree can lead to negative reactions - fermentation in the intestines of the baby.
After a year, you can give your child sugar and sweets, but only in limited quantities. For example, sugar or honey can be added to tea. At the age of three years, it is permissible to consume up to 40 grams per day. sweet, and up to six years old - about 50 gr. In order not to make a sweet tooth out of the baby, it is not recommended to introduce too many sweet dishes into the diet, trying to induce an appetite in the little eater. This will only lead to the fact that the crumb will refuse unsweetened food.
After twelve years, dried fruits, fruit compotes, mousses, marmalades and preserves can be introduced into the children's diet. All of these sugary foods need to be given in small amounts to track down a possible allergic reaction. Nutritionists recommend introducing ice cream to children after three years. It is desirable that it be a regular ice cream, without fillers.
How sweet can a child
You can give honey to a baby only after three years, because this sweet product is a strong allergen. For sweets, cakes, chocolate, the best age will be after four years. This is because chocolate also often provokes allergies.
Ideally, healthy sweets should prevail in the diet of a child under three years old. This is natural jam, jelly marmalade. You can buy sweets for children with pectin, gelatin. The main thing is that they contain a minimum of artificial additives - dyes, preservatives. Marshmallows with a natural composition will not harm the body.
Teach your child to a healthy eating habit - you need to eat sweets only after lunch or dinner, breakfast, and not instead of a full meal. After consuming sweets, it is recommended to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water.
