The importance of meat in children's nutrition

Taisiya Lipina

Reading time: 9 minutes

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Some parents confidently state that their baby often gets sick when eating meat, and exclude meat products from the baby's diet. This point of view is not entirely correct. Meat consists of proteins and amino acids necessary for a growing child's body. This so-called construction material who helps the child fully grow and develop .

What kind of meat is preferable to give a child

Of course, not all meat is good for children.

We list the types of products of animal origin that can be safely given to a child:

• Rabbit meat is the healthiest meat for babies

It occupies a leading position, as it contains proteins and 19 amino acids which are indispensable. The uniqueness of meat in that even with heat treatment, they remain in the composition.

Also rabbit meat is rich vitamins (C, PP, B12, B6) and necessary for the body micro and macro elements . Rabbit meat is twice as rich in iron as pork meat. Phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, cobalt, copper, manganese, zinc, fluorine - all of them are present in it.

It is also useful, since there are few sodium salts in it. Nutritionists advise to consume such meat to people of all ages in order to replenish nutritional balance vitamins and substances in the body.

You can eat rabbit meat even for the smallest children, up to a year. It does not cause allergies normalizes the circulatory system , develops the gastrointestinal tract, contributes to the rapid recovery of metabolism and helps to gain strength to endure diseases.

• Chicken's meat

The unique protein of this meat easily digestible . He low-calorie and contains virtually no fat. There are also many useful substances in chicken meat: potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus . Your little one will definitely get enough of them.

Such dietary meat favorably affects the circulatory system, normalizes blood sugar and cholesterol levels . In addition, in babies improve lipid metabolism , and the kidneys will perform their functions perfectly.

But nutritionists say,

Of course, the choice is up to the parents. Perhaps you will find on the shelves of Russian stores still normal and suitable for baby food chicken meat.

The meat of a young cow or bull is also dietary and healthy like the rabbit. This product is recommended for use by children, as it is rich in vitamins of groups B, E, A, C and minerals: potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, sodium, cobalt .

• Beef

The benefit of meat from an adult bull or cow is that it contains essential and essential nutrients for the body ( iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium, sodium, cobalt, phosphorus), vitamins (A, B, C, PP, E), proteins and amino acids .

Beef increases hemoglobin , improves blood circulation , still fulfills building function of bone tissue growth , muscle elements.

And most importantly - it is easily digested, you can feed a child as early as 7-9 months.

• Turkey meat

In composition, it is similar to veal meat. The composition contains vitamins of groups B, E, A, K, micro and macro elements - calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus . Note that turkey contains twice as much sodium as veal or beef, chicken or pork. That is why turkey meat is cooked without salt. By content omega 3 fatty acids turkey can be compared to fish.

Turkey very helpful . She is restores bones and joints improves the functioning of the circulatory system and the heart, helps to cope with anemia, increases brain activity .

Meat products undesirable for children's nutrition

Despite the fact that the duck has in its composition vitamins of groups B, K, E, C, D and useful elements (iron, phosphorus, selenium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper, zinc) , it is advised to exclude from the diet.

The meat is quite fatty, and it is not suitable for feeding babies. The fats contained in duck are digested for a long time.

In addition, meat has a high concentration of cholesterol. Since children have a gastrointestinal tract system, the liver cannot yet absorb everything, especially in newborns, therefore, children up to 2-3 years old should be protected from such meat.

• Goose

The harm of goose meat in the same fat content, and Because of it, children under 3 years of age are not recommended to eat meat. Babies may develop problems with the gastrointestinal tract, liver and other organs.

By the way, goose meat loses its beneficial properties over time. The young goose is more tender in taste and contains many nutrients . Compare the pros and cons before feeding your baby goose.

• Pork

Someone will say that only fatty pork is harmful. No. Despite the fat content, pork is not so healthy. Of course, there are also a lot of necessary substances in meat and vitamins to be consumed by children

But still, doctors advise to exclude pork meat from the diet:

Such meat also adversely affects the children's body. It takes a long time to digest in the stomach. The liver, gallbladder, kidneys, thyroid gland suffer from lamb meat, and cardiovascular diseases occur. Note that there are not so many useful substances in lamb. It will not even help to make up for calcium deficiency.