Week One
Week Two
05 March, 2009
Simple Meal Planner
Just for starters- A sample of my meal planner for the little boy or girl who's just started weaning
Week One
Week Two
Week One
Week Two
Mercury in Fish- Myth and Fact
Fish and seafood have long been a center of controversy, and these days many of us are left wondering - are fish still safe to eat?
What's in fish?
Fish and shellfish contain high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, are low in saturated fat, and contain Omega 3. Therefore a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fish and shellfish can contribute to heart health and children's proper growth and development.
However, nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. For most people, the risk from mercury ingested by eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern. Yet, some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous system.
In addition, fish also contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), toxic industrial compounds that were banned in 1979, but that persist in the environment. Fish absorb PCBs from contaminated sediments and from their food. You can limit exposure to PCBs simply by trimming, skinning and cooking your catch to reduce fatty tissue. But, unlike mercury, which you can eliminate from your body over time, PCBs are stored in body fat for many years.
The Amercian Health Authorities- FDA Recommendation on Mercury and Fish is that women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children should avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish contain high levels of mercury, and therefore should be avoided by the above groups.
It's okay to eat once or twice low-mercury fish per week. Low-mercury fish include shrimp, crab, cod, clams, scallops, canned light tuna, canned salmon, pollock, and catfish.
Albacore "White" tuna contains more mercury than other kinds of tuna. Eat less of albacore tuna per week (about 1 serving).
For a complete list of fish and recommended portions, mummies search the National Resources Defense Council guide.
In Summary:
1. Fish is still a top agent in preserving heart health.
2. Fatty fishes especially contain rich omega 3 and many important proteins that are essential for young children, and ensures proper growth and development.
3. Do choose the types of fish wisely.
4. Eat fish for an average of 2-3 times a week
What's in fish?
Fish and shellfish contain high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, are low in saturated fat, and contain Omega 3. Therefore a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fish and shellfish can contribute to heart health and children's proper growth and development.
However, nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. For most people, the risk from mercury ingested by eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern. Yet, some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous system.
In addition, fish also contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), toxic industrial compounds that were banned in 1979, but that persist in the environment. Fish absorb PCBs from contaminated sediments and from their food. You can limit exposure to PCBs simply by trimming, skinning and cooking your catch to reduce fatty tissue. But, unlike mercury, which you can eliminate from your body over time, PCBs are stored in body fat for many years.
The Amercian Health Authorities- FDA Recommendation on Mercury and Fish is that women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children should avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish contain high levels of mercury, and therefore should be avoided by the above groups.
It's okay to eat once or twice low-mercury fish per week. Low-mercury fish include shrimp, crab, cod, clams, scallops, canned light tuna, canned salmon, pollock, and catfish.
Albacore "White" tuna contains more mercury than other kinds of tuna. Eat less of albacore tuna per week (about 1 serving).
For a complete list of fish and recommended portions, mummies search the National Resources Defense Council guide.
In Summary:
1. Fish is still a top agent in preserving heart health.
2. Fatty fishes especially contain rich omega 3 and many important proteins that are essential for young children, and ensures proper growth and development.
3. Do choose the types of fish wisely.
4. Eat fish for an average of 2-3 times a week
Nitrates in Baby Food- Myth and Fact
Nitrates - What are they?
Nitrates naturally exist in water and soil, therefore most vegetables naturally contain nitrates (root vegetables and leafy green ones especially). Nitrates are also laboratory formulated and used in fertilizers. Nitrates are ingested either from vegetables or drinking water Although growing conditions affect actual levels, spinach, kale (Kai Lan), and cabbage are typically the most spoken of.
Nitrates can become dangerous if they body converts them to nitrites (which can cause a particular type of anemia - defiency in red blood cells in babies.)
Physio Makeup of our babies' body
However, it is worth look at the physio makeup of the human body before we decide. By the sixth month of life, babies have a sufficient amount of hydrochloric acid in their stomachs to destroy bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites. And due to the fact that solids are usually held off till the 5/ 6 months, babies are protected from harm by the time vegetables are introduced into their diet. Commercially prepared vs. made from scratch is completely irrelevant. Some nitrates are naturally occurring, jarred baby food containing any of these vegetables will also have nitrates (this includes organic brands.) So, vegetables that naturally contain nitrates can safely be fed to babies six months or older.
The Amercian authorities cites this --- "Because the intake of naturally occurring nitrates from foods such as green beans, carrots, squash, spinach, and beets can be as high as or higher than that from fresh hydroponics, these foods should be avoided before 3 months of age --- Preventive strategy would be not to introduce home preparations of these vegetables to infants before 3 months of age, although there is no nutritional indication to add complementary foods to the diet of the healthy term infant before 4 to 6 months of age. Infants fed commercially prepared infant foods after 3 months of age generally are not at risk of nitrate poisoning, although the containers should be refrigerated after first use and discarded within 24 hours of opening"
Cyanosis
The reason why nitrates have became a concern for many parents is due to the unusual reporting of the condition known as - "Cyanosis" with the most obvious symptom which is that of a bluish color of the skin, particularly around the eyes and mouth. A baby with these symptoms should be taken to an emergency medical facility immediately. The doctor will take a blood sample to be sure the baby is suffering from nitrate poisoning. The blood sample of an affected baby is a chocolate brown instead of a healthy red. Nitrate poisoning can be treated, and in most cases the baby makes a full recovery.
In Summary:
1. Nitrates occur naturally in vegetables and water (even drinking water) and therefore, it is impossible to remove all traces of nitrates totally unless we remove even the nutritional vitamins and minerals
2. By 3 months, babies can produce enough hydrochloric acid to destroy the nitrates they ingest
3. Therefore by 6 months, it is considered safe to introduce plain drinking water, common root vegetables and green leafy vegetables to babies.
4. However, it is important to monitor the baby for any signs of 'Cyanosis' after the introduction of root and green leafy vegetables (rule of 3 days)
Nitrates naturally exist in water and soil, therefore most vegetables naturally contain nitrates (root vegetables and leafy green ones especially). Nitrates are also laboratory formulated and used in fertilizers. Nitrates are ingested either from vegetables or drinking water Although growing conditions affect actual levels, spinach, kale (Kai Lan), and cabbage are typically the most spoken of.
Nitrates can become dangerous if they body converts them to nitrites (which can cause a particular type of anemia - defiency in red blood cells in babies.)
Physio Makeup of our babies' body
However, it is worth look at the physio makeup of the human body before we decide. By the sixth month of life, babies have a sufficient amount of hydrochloric acid in their stomachs to destroy bacteria that convert nitrates to nitrites. And due to the fact that solids are usually held off till the 5/ 6 months, babies are protected from harm by the time vegetables are introduced into their diet. Commercially prepared vs. made from scratch is completely irrelevant. Some nitrates are naturally occurring, jarred baby food containing any of these vegetables will also have nitrates (this includes organic brands.) So, vegetables that naturally contain nitrates can safely be fed to babies six months or older.
The Amercian authorities cites this --- "Because the intake of naturally occurring nitrates from foods such as green beans, carrots, squash, spinach, and beets can be as high as or higher than that from fresh hydroponics, these foods should be avoided before 3 months of age --- Preventive strategy would be not to introduce home preparations of these vegetables to infants before 3 months of age, although there is no nutritional indication to add complementary foods to the diet of the healthy term infant before 4 to 6 months of age. Infants fed commercially prepared infant foods after 3 months of age generally are not at risk of nitrate poisoning, although the containers should be refrigerated after first use and discarded within 24 hours of opening"
Cyanosis
The reason why nitrates have became a concern for many parents is due to the unusual reporting of the condition known as - "Cyanosis" with the most obvious symptom which is that of a bluish color of the skin, particularly around the eyes and mouth. A baby with these symptoms should be taken to an emergency medical facility immediately. The doctor will take a blood sample to be sure the baby is suffering from nitrate poisoning. The blood sample of an affected baby is a chocolate brown instead of a healthy red. Nitrate poisoning can be treated, and in most cases the baby makes a full recovery.
In Summary:
1. Nitrates occur naturally in vegetables and water (even drinking water) and therefore, it is impossible to remove all traces of nitrates totally unless we remove even the nutritional vitamins and minerals
2. By 3 months, babies can produce enough hydrochloric acid to destroy the nitrates they ingest
3. Therefore by 6 months, it is considered safe to introduce plain drinking water, common root vegetables and green leafy vegetables to babies.
4. However, it is important to monitor the baby for any signs of 'Cyanosis' after the introduction of root and green leafy vegetables (rule of 3 days)
03 February, 2009
Weaning Equipment : No Brainer!
If you need to start somewhere, get these equipment ready first!!
1. Soft-tip weaning spoon
Babies love exploring new things with their mouths (and gums), so go for a soft tip spoon, so our babies' gums won't hurt when they try their first bites.
2. Bowl for Savoury Puree
Separate sweet puree and savouries. Savouries make babies excrete more saliva, while sweet purees don't.
3. Bowl for Sweet Puree
You may like to give a savoury meal first then offer the sweet one as dessert. Steam acidic fruits to make them less acidic.
4. Blender
You'll need this if you want to make creamy as heaven puree.
5. Container for blending
Please don't blend using a ceramic or glass bowl!
6. Baby Cubes
Making more at one go saves time. More ingredients allow better blending too, so you might need to store some extras.
7. Drinking Mug
Make a habit to give your child a drink of water after or before each meal. Start with basic bottle nipples, then sippy cup top, then straw.
8. Bowl for prepared puree/ steamed ingredients
You'll need to steam your vegetables in some container, use this =)
1. Soft-tip weaning spoon
Babies love exploring new things with their mouths (and gums), so go for a soft tip spoon, so our babies' gums won't hurt when they try their first bites.
2. Bowl for Savoury Puree
Separate sweet puree and savouries. Savouries make babies excrete more saliva, while sweet purees don't.
3. Bowl for Sweet Puree
You may like to give a savoury meal first then offer the sweet one as dessert. Steam acidic fruits to make them less acidic.
4. Blender
You'll need this if you want to make creamy as heaven puree.
5. Container for blending
Please don't blend using a ceramic or glass bowl!
6. Baby Cubes
Making more at one go saves time. More ingredients allow better blending too, so you might need to store some extras.
7. Drinking Mug
Make a habit to give your child a drink of water after or before each meal. Start with basic bottle nipples, then sippy cup top, then straw.
8. Bowl for prepared puree/ steamed ingredients
You'll need to steam your vegetables in some container, use this =)
02 February, 2009
List of foods to refrain from, from 5- 12 months
Foods that are 'No-No' at 5- early 6 months:
- Gluten (such as wheat cereal, wheat flour, bread, breakfast cereals, rye, barley, oats)
- Eggs
- Citrus Fruits (oranges, grapes, lemon, lime)
- Cauliflower and broccoli
- Meat and poultry
- Mango
- Durian
- Celery
- Tofu (contains soy)
- Nuts and peanut butter
- Honey
- Salt
- Sugars
- Processed dairy products (cheese, fresh milk)
- Fish, Shellfish
- Hot or spicy foods
- Tea and Coffee
Foods that are 'No-No' at 7-12 months
- Cow's milk
- Unpasterised cheese
- Soft-boiled eggs
- Salt
- Refined sugar
- Honey
- Shellfish (crab, crayfish, oysters)
- Tea and Coffee
- Hot or spicy foods
- Artificial sweeteners
- Gluten (such as wheat cereal, wheat flour, bread, breakfast cereals, rye, barley, oats)
- Eggs
- Citrus Fruits (oranges, grapes, lemon, lime)
- Cauliflower and broccoli
- Meat and poultry
- Mango
- Durian
- Celery
- Tofu (contains soy)
- Nuts and peanut butter
- Honey
- Salt
- Sugars
- Processed dairy products (cheese, fresh milk)
- Fish, Shellfish
- Hot or spicy foods
- Tea and Coffee
Foods that are 'No-No' at 7-12 months
- Cow's milk
- Unpasterised cheese
- Soft-boiled eggs
- Salt
- Refined sugar
- Honey
- Shellfish (crab, crayfish, oysters)
- Tea and Coffee
- Hot or spicy foods
- Artificial sweeteners
Baby food ingredients to add at later 6 months - 7months
After 3rd week into 6 months- 7months, try adding the below into your infant's diet
- Whole well cooked eggs (Protein)
- Chicken (Protein)
- Lean red meat (Protein)
- Wide range of fish (Protein)
- Mango (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Cucumber
- Broccoli and cauliflower (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Yogurt (Calcium, Digestive bacteria)
- Mushrooms (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Tuna (Protein, Fatty Acids)
- Onions
- Kiwi (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Fortified Soft bread (Carbo)
- Pasta (Carbo)
- Rice(Carbo)
- Whole well cooked eggs (Protein)
- Chicken (Protein)
- Lean red meat (Protein)
- Wide range of fish (Protein)
- Mango (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Cucumber
- Broccoli and cauliflower (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Yogurt (Calcium, Digestive bacteria)
- Mushrooms (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Tuna (Protein, Fatty Acids)
- Onions
- Kiwi (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Fortified Soft bread (Carbo)
- Pasta (Carbo)
- Rice(Carbo)
Baby food ingredients suitable for 5 month old infants
The below is a list of ingredients suitable for your infant at 5 months:
- Apples (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Pears (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Peas (Vit B)
- Papaya (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Banana (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Pumpkin (Vit A, Antioxident: Vit C)
- Apricot (Antioxident: Vit C, Vit A, Zinc, Fibre)
- Prunes (Antioxident: Vit C, Vit A, Zinc, Fibre)
- Baby rice (Zinc)
- Carrots (Vit C, Beta Carotene: Vit A)
- Potato (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Parsnip
- Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries (Antioxident: Vit C, Vit A, Zinc, Fibre)
- Peach (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Cantaloupe Melon (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Avocado (Antioxident: Vit C, Vit A, Zinc, Fibre, Fatty Acids)
- Sweet Corn
- Apples (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Pears (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Peas (Vit B)
- Papaya (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Banana (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Pumpkin (Vit A, Antioxident: Vit C)
- Apricot (Antioxident: Vit C, Vit A, Zinc, Fibre)
- Prunes (Antioxident: Vit C, Vit A, Zinc, Fibre)
- Baby rice (Zinc)
- Carrots (Vit C, Beta Carotene: Vit A)
- Potato (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Parsnip
- Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries (Antioxident: Vit C, Vit A, Zinc, Fibre)
- Peach (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Cantaloupe Melon (Antioxident: Vit C)
- Avocado (Antioxident: Vit C, Vit A, Zinc, Fibre, Fatty Acids)
- Sweet Corn
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