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No Low-fat Diet for Baby
Fat Performs Essential Functions for Infants and Toddlers
By Sheila Seifert
"I think the biggest myth concerning a baby's or toddler's diet regarding fat is that [fat] should be restricted to avoid obesity. In many cases, when children's fat intake is restricted, they eat sugary foods to get the high energy they need," says Partners in Nutrition, LLC's registered dietician, Jackie Nielsen of Loveland, Colo. "The fat is more desirable though, because it is more likely to be combined with high-nutrient foods like main dishes and vegetables."
Fortunately, this Kansas City mother was told to put her children back on whole milk and high-energy foods by her pediatrician.
A highly publicized Finnish research project on heart disease has caused some parents to believe that a low-fat diet might be beneficial to their children. The study is centered on the cholesterol level of children. Unfortunately, the study won't have measurable results for another 50 years when these children reach the age of 55. Because of this and scientific evidence to the contrary, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association agree that infants and toddlers should not be put on any type of low-fat diet.
"Without adequate calories and nutrients, an infant or toddler will not grow and may develop a specific deficiency syndrome," Nielsen says.
How can a parent spot a deficiency syndrome? "If an infant begins to reduce his or her rate of weight or loses weight, the energy (calories) and nutrient intake should be monitored carefully," she says. "If the rate of growth i length is reduced or ceases, the probability of malnutrition or undetected disease or both should be investigated."
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