Now parents might hesitate giving candies, cakes, and ice creams to their young kids. The US government has released its dietary guidelines for infants and toddlers. As per the guidelines, infants should be given only mothers’ milk for the initial 6 months and there should not be any added sugar in the diet of children under the age of 2 years. Nutritionist Barbara Schneeman has said that it matters what you feed your children in those early years of life. She has said that it is never too late to start a healthy habit. As per the experts from the federal government, added sugar should be limited to less than 10 percent of calories per day for children who are above 2 years. The dietary guidelines have made suggestions for alcohol intake among adults as well. It has been said that men should not take more than two drinks per day and women should stick to only one drink per day. Scientists have suggested that added sugar intake among children above the age of 2 years should be less than 6 percent of calories and men should stick to one drink per day. However, the government has gone ahead with previous advice only. The dietary guidelines are issued by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Agriculture Department.
Experts have said that if breast milk is not available for toddlers, then they should go ahead with iron-fortified infant formula for the first year. Dietary specialists have said that infants should be given supplemental vitamin D soon after birth. They have said that babies can be given other foods at around 6 months. They should be introduced to allergic foods along with other foods as well. The dietary guidelines say that babies should be given foods, which have peanuts in the first year itself, it will reduce the risk of the child developing a food allergy to peanuts. As per the guidelines, pregnant women should take 8 to 12 ounces of seafood per week to promote healthy brain growth in their babies. They should eat fish such as cod, salmon, sardines, and tilapia with lower levels of mercury. Mercury can damage children’s nervous systems. Experts have said that pregnant women should not consume alcohol. Modest amounts of caffeine might be fine, but they should discuss it with their healthcare providers.
Experts have said that sugar-sweetened beverages, desserts, snacks, candy, sweetened coffee, and tea are the biggest sources of added sugar in the standard US diet. These foods do not have significant nutritional value. This is the reason the government has asked people to limit the intake of such foods in their daily diet plan and children’s diet. Most Americans are not able to follow the recommendation made by the government, which leads to obesity, heart issues, and diabetes.
