Cheese is healthy because it contains a lot of calcium and protein. Calcium contributes to the proper formation of the child's skeletal system, and protein is essential for the normal functioning of the body. This product can be gradually introduced into the diet of a child over 1 year old. However, it is important to know which types of cheese are good for children and which ones are undesirable.
What types of cheese can be given to children over 1 year old
If you are introducing cheese into a child's diet, it is better to use hard varieties, low-fat and mild, without additives, dyes and preservatives. For example, a baby can be given Maasdam, 17-20% Oltermani, Rossiyskiy, Poshekhonskiy.
But smoked and processed types of cheese are not suitable for a child, since they contain a large amount of salt and fat. Varieties with mold should also not be given to the baby, since in the case of consuming such products, the likelihood of allergic reactions is high.
Different sorts of old cheeses, with mold - all this a child will be able to taste when his digestive and enzymatic system is fully formed. He can eat such foods after about 12 years.
Homemade cheese for a child
You can try making your own cheese for your baby. By doing so, you can be sure that this product does not contain any dyes or preservatives.
Here is one of the simpler recipes. Take 1 kilogram of fresh homemade cottage cheese, break it into pieces and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Wrap the resulting mass with gauze and place in a small container with a wide neck, since you will need to place a press on top of it.
If your choice falls on a small saucepan, find a lid with a smaller diameter, and place a large saucepan on top, filling it with water. After about 5 hours, drain the separated liquid and change the cheesecloth in which the curd lay. Then place it under a heavier press for one day.
When excess liquid comes out of the cheese, place the resulting mass in the refrigerator or a cool place for about 2 weeks to ripen. That's all, delicious and healthy cheese is ready!
How much cheese a day can you give a child
At 1-2 years old, a child can eat no more than 3-5 grams of cheese per day. By the age of 3, this amount can be increased to 10 grams. It is best to give cheese to your baby in the morning, since during this period the digestive enzymes are most active.
If such a product is unusual or does not like the baby, at first, cheese can be added grated in mashed potatoes, soups, omelettes. A regular sandwich or croutons with cheese can be given to a child after 3 years.
Can cheese be given to a child allergic to cow's milk protein?
In case of lactase deficiency or allergy to cow's milk protein, choose the least fatty cheese varieties. The introduction of this product in such children should be carried out only under the supervision of a physician.
Since casein (milk protein) is broken down during the cheese making process and becomes less allergenic, this product can also be administered to a child with food allergies. Lactose in solid varieties is also contained in a minimal amount, and therefore this product is not contraindicated in case of lactase deficiency.
