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Breast milk provides the best source of nourishment for the early months of life. Mothers are encouraged and supported in breast-
Children have high energy needs for growth and development. It is important that children are given energy rich foods that are nutritious such as cereals, breads, dairy foods, and meats, chicken and eggs. Foods from the first four shelves of the food pyramid should be used to replace foods from the very top shelf that are high in added sugars/fats such as chocolate, cakes and sweets.
Practical tips:
Foods
Do not add sugar to home prepared weaning foods
Limit baby foods sweetened with added sugars
Drinks
Suitable fluids include water (boiled and cooled for infants under 1 year). Natural mineral waters are not suitable for infants.
Fruit juices should be unsweetened, well diluted (1 measure to 4 or 5 measures of water) and given at mealtimes from a cup. Baby juices and herbal drinks are not needed, but if given should be used sparingly, and only at mealtimes from a feeding cup.
Colas, squashes, fizzy drinks and diet drinks are unsuitable for infants.
Foods should never be added to the baby bottle.
Baby Bottle/Nursing Decay
Parents/carers of infants should be warned particularly about the dangers of putting fruit juices or sugar-
"Children should be fed and put to bed -
Do make sure that your child does not sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth
Do avoid all sugar-
Do encourage drinking from a cup
Do discontinue bottle feeding by your child's first birthday
Do avoid dipping a soother in sugar, honey or anything sweet before giving to your child.
School children/adolescents
Changes in eating habits due to relative independence from family influences and the influence of peers can result in changes in health behaviours and diet, specifically in relation to sugar.
Overall, there has been a slight improvement in the dietary habits of school-
The slight improvements in children's dietary habits are likely linked to similar changes in adult dietary habits revealed by the 2007 SLÁN. It can be conjectured that these slight changes in dietary habits stem from a greater population awareness of the health impacts of lifestyle behaviour, in light of the concern for rising obesity in Ireland. However, eating habits, specifically in relation to sugar, can be changed by peer influence as children gain relative independence from family influences. Overall, 39% of the children surveyed in the 2006 HBSC survey reported eating sweets and 26% drinking soft drinks daily or more frequently, with higher rates in the older age groups. The graphs below show the breakdown of daily sweets and soft drinks consumption by age group, gender and social class.
Practical tips:
Foods
Suggestions for between meal snacks are fruit, crisp raw vegetables, sandwiches, variety of breads, yoghurts, low fat cheese, plain popcorn and scones
Cereals are excellent energy providers, but avoid the sugar-
Drinks
Milk, water, and sugar free squashes are suitable
Diet drinks in moderation can be an alternative
Health implications of soft drinks
Rising consumption of soft drinks is causing concern according to recent research in the United States. Particular concern is highlighted about the long term effects of soft drinks displacing milk in the diet of teenage girls. If teenagers do not get enough dietary calcium in these vulnerable years they increase their risk of developing osteoporosis in later life.
Dental Health Implications
The frequent consumption of sugar containing fizzy drinks not only put teeth at risk to decay but can also cause erosion of the enamel. This is due to their acidic content (see Tooth Wear for more details).
Fruit juices are an important source of vitamins in the diet. However, they should be taken with meals for two reasons. The frequent consumption of these can lead to enamel erosion and although pure juices may not contain sucrose they are rich in fructose and can also be cariogenic.
Adults and Older people
Loss of natural teeth is associated with poor nutritional status in the elderly. Consumption of sugars seems to be higher in older adults than in younger adults.
A tendency towards reduced salivary flow together with a higher sugar intake and increased gum recession, places the older person with natural teeth at greater risk of dental caries (root caries) than younger adults.
This population group tend to be frequent users of over the counter medicines, e.g. cough drops, laxatives, antacids and various tonics, which are generally high in sugar. The most important cause of dental erosion in adults is regurgitation and acidic drinks. Dietary advice for dental health for adults with natural teeth should be consistent with general health dietary guidelines.
Practical tips:
Foods
Elderly people should be encouraged to eat a variety of healthy foods as snacks from the food pyramid.
Drinks
The consumption of 8-
Dental Health Foundation Ireland
