Rice cereal for baby
There is growing evidence that starting babies on cereal-based foods may not be the most beneficial first step in introducing solids. Here are three key reasons why some experts recommend avoiding cereals as a baby’s first food:
1. Low Nutrient Density: Infant cereals, especially rice cereals, are often fortified with iron, but they lack the natural nutrients found in whole foods like vegetables and fruits. As early exposure to nutrient-dense foods is crucial, offering cereals, which are primarily starch, may reduce opportunities for infants to consume more nutrient-packed options. Research supports introducing nutrient-rich, whole foods first to promote optimal growth and development .
2. Risks of Heavy Metals: Certain types of infant cereals, especially rice-based ones, have been found to contain potentially harmful levels of heavy metals such as arsenic. This has raised concerns about the safety of relying on cereal as a primary weaning food. Studies, including those evaluating processed baby foods, highlight the need for caution in introducing rice cereals early on .
3. Influence on Eating Habits: Early exposure to less diverse flavors and textures (like those found in cereals) can lead to picky eating or reduced acceptance of vegetables and other healthy foods later on. A randomized trial showed that infants introduced to vegetables early had better long-term acceptance of them compared to those primarily fed cereals
1. Cameron, S. L., Heath, A. L., & Taylor, R. W. (2012). How feasible is baby-led weaning as an approach to infant feeding? A review of the evidence. Nutrients, 4(11), 1575-1609. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu4111575
2. Chetty, A. A., & Prasad, S. (2016). Flow injection analysis of nitrate and nitrite in commercial baby foods. Food Chemistry, 197, 503-508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.20...
3. Brouns, F. J., van Buul, V. J., & Shewry, P. R. (2013). Does wheat make us fat and sick? Journal of Cereal Science, 58(2), 209-215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2013.06...
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