Everyone knows that the basis of nutrition for children during the first year of life is infant milk. The content of the formula includes many other products and substances listed on the package. However, even experienced parents can face some trouble defining which ingredients are bad and which are not. The point is that if you don’t carefully check the ingredients before buying formula, a kid might face different skin problems such as baby eczema or digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, etc. Let’s find out what elements in the content you should avoid while selecting feeding for your little one.
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Palm Oil
Among all the vegetable oils, palm oil contains the highest amount of saturated palmitic fatty acid which is more than 20% of all fats in breast milk. Fatty acids are closely related to the formation of the brain, nervous system, and energy metabolism. Therefore, their presence is especially important in the nutrition of a child under one year.
What is harmful palm oil in baby food? Its palmitic acid is less absorbed and forms insoluble salt compounds with calcium. As a result, nutrient absorption is reduced, the stool is compacted, and bowel movements become less frequent. Therefore, it is not a myth that babies who are fed formula with palm oil are more likely to suffer from constipation than children who receive breast milk or formula without palm oil. In addition, loss of calcium with feces may not have the best effect on the formation of bone and teeth.
Synthetic ARA and DHA
It has been found that babies who get enough ARA and DHA are more active, mentally healthy, and have visual acuity. However, many formulas contain synthetic received elements and that is quite dangerous for a kid’s immature system. If the formula contains synthetic ARA and DHA a baby may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal pain. Another side effect of the reception of these elements can be rapid fatigue, sleep disturbances, brittle nails, and hair.
Soy Oil
Soy is a protein and fat of plant origin and it can not replace the protein of animal origin, which is so good for the babies’ immune system. After all, the kids’ gastrointestinal tract is used to dairy foods by default, so if you feed your little one soy for a long time, it can lead to health problems.
Soy substitutes can be given as a temporary therapy or as a supplement to the main menu, but do not replace meat and dairy products. Soy-based baby formula can improve a child’s health for a while if it has allergies or lactase deficiency, but such a diet will not solve the problem. On the contrary, over time it can cause side effects such as frequent constipation, baby eczema, skin rashes, and so on.
Toxic Metals
Metals can impair a child’s cognitive function and hinder brain development. Negative effects accumulate with each meal or snack. Mercury accumulates in brain tissue and spinal cord, disrupting neurological function. Children are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of mercury, which exposure is associated with an increased risk of behavioral disorders.
Aluminum has been linked to impaired attention, memory, and learning, as well as many other health problems. It can provoke an inflammatory immune response that ultimately affects neurological function and behavior.
Maltodextrin
Comparing maltodextrin and sugar, the glycemic index of the first one is much higher – 105 to 136. It means that consuming such carbohydrates by kids with diabetes is contraindicated. Besides, some manufacturers add maltodextrin received from GMO products. Studies have shown that excessive consumption can worsen intestinal microflora and make it more vulnerable to various infections.