Baby food: the nutritional needs of babies

Many times we think that babies' nutritional needs are the same as ours, just in smaller amounts. Wrong. Babies have very different needs from ours. Even healthy babies are vulnerable if given the wrong diet. That is why maintaining a healthy, balanced, and organic infant diet is essential for the proper development of our children, as outlined by the AEP (Spanish Association of Pediatrics). Throughout this blog post, we will discuss the key points to pay close attention to in infant nutrition.

Nutritional Needs

Each person's needs are different, and even more so for babies! These vary depending on age, size, and daily activity… Our bodies naturally have very different needs depending on the stage of life and growth we are in. That is why it is necessary to maintain healthy control over the diet of the little ones. Protein intake at weaning age should represent 10-12% of total calories consumed. The contribution of lipids, which is 50% of total calories in the first 6 months of life, gradually decreases to 30% by the end of the second year. Carbohydrate intake goes from representing 40% of the total in the first 6 months of life to 50% in the second year and is expected to reach 55-60% in the third year. The same applies to vitamins, minerals, and all the nutrients a baby needs in specific amounts to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. At Smileat, we offer products suitable for the baby's age and nutritional needs. As different foods are introduced, our jars cover the basic nutrient requirements.

Digestive Abilities

The gastrointestinal system of babies, like many parts of their body, is born barely developed. That is why it is important to provide them with a diet that supports their development and proper formation. Fat absorption, as well as that of other nutrients, varies with age. Therefore, the recommended amount of each food changes as the baby grows. Another factor to consider is the intestinal flora, which develops and grows alongside the baby. This is one of the most important reasons to be careful with their diet.

Salt and Sugar, Your Little Ones’ Enemies

Both products are not recommended to be introduced into our children’s diet before 12 months. This is because their kidneys, still developing, are not prepared for a large intake of salt or sugar beyond what is naturally present in foods (for example, breast milk or, when they start with jars, meat, fish, and vegetables). Regarding sugar, it is a nutritionally negative carbohydrate because it causes a glycemic spike and triggers metabolic reactions that can lead to fat accumulation, which the baby risks carrying throughout life. That is why prepared foods designed for adults, such as soups, mashed potatoes, meatballs, and many other products, are not suitable for children: they contain salt, preservatives, additives, and uncontrolled, unbalanced ingredients. At Smileat, we take a "no additives" philosophy very seriously. Foods already contain the necessary amounts of sugar and salt, so there is no need to add more. Our jars, both savory and sweet, and our snacks, contain only the natural amounts of salt and sugar.

The Quality of Food

After weaning, babies have a “clean” system, meaning that thanks to breast milk, their bodies have not yet been directly exposed to food contaminants. Due to their limited development at weaning, it is necessary to try to prolong this lack of exposure to contaminants as much as possible. We can achieve this by selecting raw materials that are not only organic but also ecological. Products with the European organic certification undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure they do not contain contaminants, pesticides, or chemicals. This way, they are as natural as possible. We believe that choosing seasonal fruits and vegetables is essential to select the best organic foods for our little ones and thus provide the best possible infant nutrition. This allows us to offer homemade products that can be included in a healthy organic infant diet.

Providing your little one with a healthy and organic infant diet is good for their growth and future.