If you're a first-time mom or dad of a baby under two years old, you've probably already wondered what your little one should and shouldn't eat when they start eating solids. solid food feedingFeeding young children is a very delicate matter because from the time the baby is born until the second year of life, Their digestive, immune, and nervous systems are in full developmentTherefore, some foods are still not safe.
During this time, The baby will not be ready to eat certain foods, and the menu they eat can greatly influence their development., in their defenses, in their relationship with food and in the prevention of short and long-term diseases.
A healthy diet in childhood reflects the health and quality of life the child will have in adulthood, and this is largely due to the eating habits established at homeChildren learn by imitation: if fresh and minimally processed foods are consumed at home, they will see them as normal; if the base consists of sweets, soft drinks and ultra-processed foods, they will also integrate that as their standard.
It is in the first years of life that the taste receptors are stimulated. And their preference for sweet, salty, or bitter flavors is defined, which is why it's so important to establish good eating habits from the start. It's important that when children begin eating solid foods, they are introduced to a variety of foods. fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, meat, fish appropriate for their age, and breast milk or formulaHowever, there are other products that should be left out of your diet during this time.
To ensure your child eats healthily, there are some foods that shouldn't be included in their diet during the first two years of life. For example, products with many additives, preservatives, unhealthy fats and added sugars They can cause allergies, digestive problems, choking, or overload of your organs.
In addition to these general products, there are very specific food groups that experts advise against due to the risk of choking, toxicity, excess salt or sugar, the presence of heavy metals, or the risk of infections such as botulism. Below you will find, in an organized and very detailed manner, which foods are not recommended for children under two years old, why and how to replace them.
Sugar and sweets
Sweets and sugary foods They should be avoided in the diet of children under two years old, especially because of what they can cause in the future and because of the digestive and metabolic problems they can generate.
Added sugar is a a completely unnecessary food in childhoodIt provides no quality vitamins or minerals, displaces other more nutritious foods, and alters the baby's natural preference for mild flavors. If the child does not consume sugar during this period, will not develop an excessive taste for sugar and it will be easier for him to accept vegetables, natural fruits and less sweet foods.
Reducing your consumption as much as possible helps prevent diseases such as Childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, sleep disorders, hyperactivity, and concentration problemsIt is also linked to migraines, skin problems, and digestive disorders such as diarrhea or gas.
It is advisable to avoid:
- Industrial bakery (muffins, croissants, donuts…)
- Commercial cookieseven the "special baby" ones if they contain sugar or honey
- Packaged juices and nectars
- Sweetened dairy desserts (flans, custards, flavored yogurts, petit fours…)
- Sweets and candies
- Instant cocoa for milk, chocolate creams and similar
To sweeten, the ideal thing is to take advantage of the natural fruit sugar (ripe banana, baked apple, pear, crushed date in older children as recommended by a professional) and accustom the baby from the beginning to less sweet flavors.
Soft drinks, processed juices and sugary beverages
The only thing that quenches thirst is water, and that's true for children too. Soft drinks, even when offered "just a sip," They are not suitable for children under two years oldThey contain a combination of free sugars or sweeteners, gas, caffeine in some cases and additives that contribute nothing to its development.
The consumption of soft drinks and sugary beverages is associated with obesity, diabetes, cavities, and a decreased appetite for healthy foodsIn addition, gas can cause intestinal discomfort and abdominal bloating.
Juice cartons and those that come in plastic bottles or tetra packs, although they may seem very nutritious and healthy for children, are not a good option either. Even if the manufacturer promises a healthy product, Commercially produced juices often contain too much sugar, additives, and preservatives.Even when they are “100% fruit”, they concentrate the sugar from several pieces and lose the fiber that helps regulate absorption.
It is better to choose whole fruit or, very occasionally in slightly older children, freshly squeezed natural juices offered in small quantities, always knowing that They are not a substitute for fruit And that for children under two years old, the ideal is to prioritize whole fruit, pureed or in safe pieces.
Salt and very salty foods
Refined salt causes food to lose minerals such as calcium and magnesium during processing, and furthermore, The baby's kidneys are not yet ready to handle high amounts of sodiumIn the early years, it is recommended to cook without salt or with minimal amounts.
Salt is very present in everyday life, but The less you consume, the better for the whole familyIn fact, if you cook for everyone without salt and add just a few pinches to the adults' plates, you'll be improving everyone's health.
In addition to added salt, it is important to limit or avoid:
- Canned food (sardines, canned tuna with salt, salted canned vegetables)
- Concentrated broths and bouillon cubes
- Cold cuts and sausages
- Commercial sauces (soy sauce, ketchup, industrial mayonnaise…)
- Salty snacks like potato chips or crunchy snacks
Children don't need us to add salt to find food tasty, because for them the flavor of a piece of potato, carrot or meat It's completely new now. If you avoid salt from the start, They won't miss her and they will adapt very well to natural flavors.
Sausages, processed meats and junk food
Sausages, cooked ham (cold cuts), mortadella, salami, and others Sausages are foods that They should not be part of the regular diet of children under two years old. They are rich in preservatives (such as nitrates and nitrites), sodium, saturated fats and often sugarsand provide very little nutritional value compared to fresh meat.
This group also includes many superfluous foods which should be delayed as long as possible:
- Potato chips and other crunchy bagged snacks
- Industrial pastries and commercial biscuits
- Jams and sweetened spreads
- Sugary dairy desserts and industrial ice creams
- Sweetened cocoa and chocolates
These products usually contain trans fats or hydrogenated fatsTrans fats They increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and promote weight gainTherefore, they are not recommended even for adults, much less for small children.
Whenever possible, it's best to offer lean fresh meat (chicken, turkey, rabbit, beef), fish suitable for their age, vegetables y well-cooked eggs as a source of protein, and leave the sausages for very specific occasions when the child is older.
Popcorn, whole nuts, and foods that pose a choking hazard
Foods like popcorn and nuts, besides not providing anything essential to the baby, are dangerous because can cause choking and suffocationespecially in children under two years old, but also in slightly older children.
Pediatric specialists recommend avoiding offering it to young children. pieces of food larger than one centimeter and be especially careful with hard, round, or slippery foods. Foods with a higher risk of choking include:
- Whole grapes
- Olives with pits
- Raisins
- Popcorn
- Chewing gum and gummy bears
- hard candies
- Very hard raw vegetables (such as raw carrots or chopped apples)
- Sausages cut into thick slices
- Whole nuts (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts…)
In the case of nuts, besides being one of the main causes of childhood chokingThese are potentially foods allergensTherefore, it is considered that the Whole nuts are not suitable for young children during the first years of life.
However, nuts are very healthy for adults, and their benefits can be incorporated into children's diets. when they are presented safelyFrom six months onwards, following the pediatrician's instructions, it is possible to offer them very finely ground or in the form of smooth creams without piecesmixed with fruit, natural yogurt or baby food, provided there are no allergies and the texture is suitable.
Honey and other dangerous sweeteners
Although honey is a natural product and seems to be a health ally, in young babies not safeHoney may contain a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum that causes intestinal botulism, a rare but serious disease that affects the baby's nervous system.
For this reason, any food (or cereals) containing honey should be avoided during the first years of life. Not only should raw honey be avoided, but also... processed products that include it in their list of ingredientssince the cooking process does not always guarantee the elimination of its spores.
In addition, honey has a high sugar content And it's highly cariogenic, meaning it promotes tooth decay. The wisest course of action is to delay its introduction and, when the child is older, use it in small amounts as part of a balanced diet.
Eggs and the risk of allergies
The egg is a healthy and complete food, with high-quality protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. However, it is also one of the most frequently They can cause food intolerances and allergies..
For this reason, it is necessary to take into account possible allergic reactions and Do not offer eggs to children who have a history of egg allergy or symptoms after consuming them.. The introduction of the egg It should be done following the pediatrician's recommendations, and always with the egg. well cooked.
Currently, many professionals recommend that eggs can be introduced from six months of age, provided they are thoroughly cooked and introduced gradually. A common guideline is:
- Begin with small amounts of well-cooked egg yolkmixed with other foods.
- Observe for any reaction (rash, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing) in the hours or days that follow.
- If there is no reaction, gradually increase the amount and then add the well-cooked egg white.
What should never be offered to young children are raw or undercooked eggs (homemade sauces with raw egg, mayonnaise, undercooked desserts, very juicy tortillas…), as they increase the risk of infections such as salmonella.
Coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages
Very high levels of caffeine can cause restlessness, nervousness, headache, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and increased heart rate and blood pressure in adults. In young children, the effects of caffeine are much more intense and, in addition, it can interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and calcium.
Therefore, Coffee, tea, and cola drinks are not recommended for young children.These drinks, in addition to caffeine, often contain sugars or sweeteners, which makes them even less suitable.
The World Health Organization also warns that tea and coffee interfere with iron absorption, a key nutrient during childhood for brain development and anemia prevention.
Although it's not common to offer coffee directly to a child, it's important to remember that If you are breastfeeding, it is advisable to greatly moderate your own caffeine intake.Caffeine passes into breast milk and can cause irritability, sleep problems, and nervousness in the baby.
Fish: bones, allergies and mercury
Fish is a very interesting food from a nutritional point of view because it provides quality proteins, iodine and omega 3 fatty acidsThese are important for brain and vision development. However, there are several aspects to consider in children under two years old.
On the one hand, it is a food that must be handled with great care during preparation: you have to make sure that have no thorns and that it is thoroughly cooked to reduce the risk of infection. If there are cases of fish allergies in the familyIt is advisable to speak with the pediatrician before introducing it.
On the other hand, some large oily fish accumulate higher amounts of mercurya heavy metal that can affect a baby's neurological development. Food safety recommendations indicate that fish such as the following should be avoided during the first few years:
- swordfish or emperor
- Shark (including the dogfish)
- Bluefin tuna
- Lucio
Instead, it is preferable to offer small or medium-sized fishsuch as hake, cod, sole or well-cooked salmon, in quantities adapted to the child's age.
Gluten and cereals
For a long time, it was recommended to completely avoid gluten in children's diets until after the age of two, but over time, scientific evidence has changed. It is now known that Introduce small amounts of gluten into the baby's diet during the first few months of complementary feeding.Following the pediatrician's instructions, it can help reduce the risk of celiac disease in some cases.
The key is not so much to drastically delay gluten, but Offer it in small amounts and as part of a varied diet.observing for possible reactions. In cases of a family history of celiac disease or other autoimmune diseases, it is especially important to consult with a specialist for individualized guidance.
Cow's milk, unsuitable dairy products, and skimmed products
During the first year of life, the baby's main food should be breast milk or adapted formulaWhole cow's milk as the main beverage is not recommended in the first few months because:
- Contains a excess protein and minerals which can overload their maturing kidneys.
- Can hinder iron absorption and promote the development of anemia.
- It does not provide the same proportions of nutrients that a small baby needs.
However, in certain stages of complementary feeding, and always following pediatric guidelines, they can be introduced small amounts of plain, unsweetened yogurt or low-salt cottage cheeseappropriate for their age.
They should also be avoided before the first few years: skimmed or semi-skimmed milkChildren in their growth spurt need healthy fats for brain and nervous system development, and these products have a very low calorie density. To meet their energy needs, they would have to consume large quantities, which could lead to a excess of proteins and solutes at the renal level.
Leafy green vegetables, seaweed, and rice drinks
Some leafy green vegetables such as spinach, chard, borage, or beets contain high levels of nitrates which, in large quantities and in small babies, can cause a problem called methemoglobinemia, known as "blue baby syndrome." As a precaution, it is recommended Do not offer these vegetables before the first year. and subsequently give them in moderate amounts.
On the other hand, certain products such as seaweed They have very high levels of iodine that can alter the baby's thyroid functionTherefore, they are not considered suitable for early infant feeding.
The rice plant-based drinks They are also not recommended for young children, as they may contain appreciable amounts of inorganic arsenic, and furthermore They do not nutritionally replace breast milk or formula.No plant-based drink should be used as the main milk for children under two years of age unless specifically indicated by a doctor.
Game meat and raw or undercooked animal products
Game meat from animals hunted with lead ammunition is not considered suitable for young children, as It may be contaminated with this heavy metal.Lead affects neurological development and the central nervous system, so its consumption in childhood should be avoided.
Furthermore, no meat, fish, or eggs should be offered. raw or undercookedIt is important that these foods reach a temperature sufficient to destroy pathogenic microorganisms such as salmonella, listeria, Escherichia coli or Campylobacter. Young children are especially vulnerable to food poisoning, so it is advisable to take extra precautions.
If you have questions about cooking times, safe textures, or food quantities, it's best to write down your questions and Consult your pediatrician or a registered dietitian specializing in childhood nutrition..
Remembering this entire list may seem overwhelming, but little by little you'll see that the basics are simple: Offer real, fresh, minimally processed, well-cooked foods adapted to the child's chewing ability.Postponing anything that poses a clear risk or isn't truly necessary at this stage. This way, you'll be helping your child grow up healthy, develop good eating habits, and enjoy food safely.
