Baby Health | Baby Foods Guide | Baby Foods Cooking and Recipes

Fats and Oils for Baby Foods

At least 50% of the calories for infants should come from saturated fats. The DHA is needed for continued Brain and vision development

Good Fats

The breast milk provides 55%of the calories from fats, primarily saturated fats. Saturated fats and Cholesterol are essential for the growth of children (Muscle and Bones).

Saturated fats and Cholesterol are needed to maintain healthy tissues and membranes. Saturated fats are necessary for using Calcium for bones. Breast milk contains two of the saturated fats (Lauric acid and Caproic acid) that are specially useful in fighting certain diseases. Lauric acid and Caproic acid are found in coconut or coconut oil, palm kernel oil.

Cholesterol is a precursor of Vitamin D that also helps with bone development. Cholesterol is also good for development of brain and nervous system. For children half of the fat should be saturated fat.

Dairy products are a good source of saturated fats and Cholesterol. In addition, they contain vitamins A and D necessary for protein and mineral assimilation.

Good Fats: Saturated Fats Cholesterol

At least 50% of the calories for infants should come from saturated fats.

Eggs
Butter

Cream
Whole dairy products: Yogurt, Paneer
Cooking oils: Ghee, Virgin coconut oil

Curry Thickeners: Coconut milk, Butter. We will delay using ground nuts (Cashews, Peanuts, Almond, Pistachio) till the infant is 3 years old.

The breast milk also contains Omega 3 fatty acids (DHA). The DHA is needed for continued Brain and vision development.

Good Fats: Omega 3

Fish, Fish oils

Walnuts, Pistachios, Flax seed.

Limited use Cooking Oils: Canola oil, Mustard seed oil

Bad Fats

Transfats damage cell membranes and must be avoided

Fried foods should be avoided because high temperature (above 360 ºF) actually damages the fats. In starchy carbohydrates (potatoes, wheat) deep frying can create carcinogens called acrylamides.

Bad Fats: Transfats

Partially hydrogenated oils (Vanaspati, Dalda, Margarine)

Fried foods

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