Traditionally, parents have believed children should avoid snacks, citing reasons like loss of appetite, increased risk of cavities, and impaired physical development. While parents steer clear of snacks, how can children resist the allure of colorful, flavorful treats? Recently, however, experts have suggested children should consume snacks.This viewpoint sent shockwaves through the parenting community. How could such a revolutionary idea challenge the traditional belief that children shouldn't eat snacks? Let's stay calm and hear what the experts have to say!
The term "snacks" refers to providing babies with one or two additional light meals outside of their three main daily meals.
Regarding children's snacking habits, Dr. Zhang Silai—affectionately known as "Grandma Zhang" by netizens—stated on Weibo that children should indeed have snacks! She explained that children grow rapidly but have small stomach capacities, making supplementary meals essential for energy replenishment. Conveniently accessible snacks are an excellent choice for mothers.
At the same time, Grandma Zhang emphasized that the key to children eating so-called snacks lies in making scientifically sound choices.
Eating appropriate snacks is beneficial for babies, but the crucial factors are when to offer them and what foods to choose. Grandma Zhang's recommendation is that for children under 3 years old, snacks should consist of milk, dairy products, fruits, and soft pasta!
Healthiest Snack Choices for Babies
· Milk and Dairy Products
Options: Yogurt, whole milk, cheese, etc.
Nutritional Value: Dairy products provide high-quality protein, fats, carbohydrates, and other nutrients. Milk is especially rich in calcium—the best calcium source—and drinking adequate amounts ensures children get sufficient calcium. Daily consumption is essential.
Timing: Yogurt and cheese can be served as an afternoon snack; milk is best consumed in the morning and before bedtime.
Precautions: Children should develop the habit of rinsing their mouths or brushing their teeth promptly after drinking milk or eating dairy products. The lactose in milk can erode teeth, leading to cavities and other dental issues.
Fruit
Recommended varieties: Apples, bananas, grapes
Nutritional value: Fruits contain significant amounts of sugars, minerals, vitamins, and organic acids. Regular fruit consumption stimulates appetite, aids digestion, and is highly beneficial for children's growth and development.
Best time to eat: Moderate portions of fruit after meals each day
Notes: For children over 4 months old who haven't yet developed teeth, use a spoon to scrape the flesh from bananas, apples, or other fruits and feed it to them. Children over 8 months old can be given appropriately sized small pieces to pick up and eat themselves.
Soft Pasta
Recommended options: Baby noodles
Nutritional value: Noodles contain moderate amounts of protein, with chewy varieties offering higher protein content. The vitamins and minerals in noodles supplement nutrients lacking in formula or breast milk.
Timing: For infants aged 4 months to 1 year, serve between milk feedings;For children over 1 year old, soft noodles can serve as a full meal.
Precautions: Noodles for babies should be soft and cut into short pieces. Always test a small amount first and observe for 24 hours to check for digestive issues or other reactions. If well-tolerated, gradually increase portions, but avoid sudden large amounts to prevent gastrointestinal upset, bloating, or loss of appetite.
Keep junk food away from your baby!
Healthy snacks provide energy and support your baby's growth. However, the children's food market is flooded with junk snacks. While these products boast vibrant colors and rich flavors, they contain excessive harmful substances that significantly impact your baby's health. Moms, keep your eyes open and banish these junk snacks from your baby's life.
Image source: Huagai
1. Snacks high in lead
Examples: Popcorn, preserved eggs, canned foods, puffed snacks.
2. Snacks containing trans fats
Examples: Butter cakes, ice cream, bubble tea, egg yolk pastries.
3. Hormone-containing snacks
Examples: Fried chicken, chicken necks, duck necks from Western fast food chains.
4. High-calorie snacks
Examples: Cola, candy, potato chips, chocolate.