Complementary Food for Infant and Child Nutrition Avocado
Complementary Food for Infant and Child Nutrition Avocado
2022-05-20 13:04:33/ Kategori : Child Health
Eating an avocado a day as part of a cardiac and cholesterol-lowering moderate-fat diet helps improve bad cholesterol levels in overweight and obese individuals, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. So how much is the benefit of avocado? No! Although it is not the ‘main food’ source neither in the USA nor in Turkey, we can predict that its production will increase further and its use will become widespread.
Can avocado, which is widely used in heart protection diets, weight loss diets, and sports nutrition, be used as supplementary food for children? Let’s examine;
First of all, the sugar content of avocados is less than 1 gram per serving. It is the fruit with the lowest amount compared to other fresh fruits. 1 portion of avocado with 30g; It contains more folate, vitamin E and lutein than other fruits. Plus, the fatty acids found in avocados allow for greater absorption of fat-soluble nutrients compared to low-fat (or no-fat) fruits and vegetables!
Avocado is defined as a unique and ideal food for babies and children, as it is rich in nutrients, naturally soft textured, colorful and has a low glycemic index. Meets almost all expert recommendations.
Linoleic acid makes up roughly 10-15% of the fatty acid content in 1 serving of avocado (0.5g). There is evidence to suggest that linoleic acid is associated with optimal growth and development for infants and toddlers.
Aside from its healthy fatty acids content, avocados help absorb fat-soluble nutrients-vitamins, provide a source of antioxidants and thus potentially contribute to health.
It can also contribute to the fiber requirement of babies, as there is about 2g of fiber in one serving of avocado. While 30-40% of the total fiber in avocados is soluble, 60-70% is insoluble pulp. When comparing the fiber content of more than 30 fruits and vegetables, avocados stand out for their higher fiber content than other fruits in terms of both soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. In addition, avocados; Cereal fibers contain lower levels of phytate and oxalate compared to most popular fiber sources such as vegetables and legumes, thus minimizing calcium loss and loss of other essential minerals due to the binding of such substances.
Avocado plays an important role in preventing micronutrient deficiencies during complementary and temporary feeding periods. Contains folate, vit C, riboflavin and vit B6, which are essential for various aspects of red blood cell formation and/or hemoglobin function. Increases iron absorption, functions in the synthesis of red blood cells. Avocado does not contain sodium, it contains potassium.
lutein,
It makes up the majority of infant brain carotenoids and represents about 60% of total carotenoids. Lutein is officially classified as an essential nutrient by the FDA for use in infant formulas. Adequate sources of lutein in complementary foods may be important for infant health as complementary foods begin to replace breast milk or formula in the diet. Avocados contain the highest levels of lutein and dietary fat of any fruit or vegetable, along with the benefit of the MUFA fat source in avocados to aid in the absorption of fat-soluble lutein.
Consumption of soft fruits and vegetables such as avocados, peaches, and bananas with high acceptability for early initiation of flavor and texture; Recommended by the Special Supplementary Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Soft, neutral flavored, and nutrient-dense avocados that don’t need to be cooked and are easily stored, seem to be one of the most ideal complementary and transitional foods available.
As a result;
– Contains potential health benefits that can minimize unwanted components such as sodium, empty calories and unhealthy fats.
– An ideal energy source (high in healthy unsaturated fats and low in sugar) to meet the increased energy and growth demands of infants and children who have given up milk.
Contains the highest levels of the antioxidants lutein, zeaxanthin and glutathione among complementary and transitional foods, by weight and serving size.
– It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which significantly increases the absorption of fat-soluble compounds.
– Contains more total fiber and soluble fiber per gram than almost any other complementary and transitional food, and also contains less mineral-binding phytate and oxalate than other popular high-fiber foods.
– It has a neutral flavor and smooth consistency, ideal for early baby food.
