The National Food Days that took place from March 6 to 8 in Tarragona dedicated a space to infant feeding, specifically the first meal of the day.
And some of what we have talked about in Babies is confirmed again and more on several occasions: importance of breakfast for children.
And, if for anyone breakfast becomes the most important meal of the day, even more for the little ones, who need an extra energy contribution during their growth, physical and intellectual. And it is that in childhood breakfast should provide between 20 and 25 percent of daily calories.
According to the experts gathered at the Conference, the intellectual capacity of children who do not eat breakfast is not as efficient to solve problems like those of those who do eat breakfast. To this we must add, as recalled by the Research Professor at the Higher Center for Scientific Research (CSIC), Ascensión Marcos, the difficulty in reaching the recommended daily intakes of energy and nutrients.
The reason is that breakfast, especially if it is rich in carbohydrates, provides glucose, "which is the best fuel for the brain." No breakfast occurs a nutritional imbalance, since the body is deprived of the basic nutrients that milk, fruit and cereals provide.
In addition, if this suppression of breakfast is supplemented by the intake of other products throughout the morning such as industrial pastries, what they will contribute to the body will be saturated fats, sugars and even salt.
The Conference also talked about obesity, pointing out that adequate intellectual and emotional development is a protective factor against this disease.
In short, the speakers stressed the importance of the role of parents at these points, which are after all those who make the purchase and prepare "menus" for their children, at home and at school lunches.
So, starting from very small, encourage a proper breakfast It will only affect the good of the children, and will make breakfast a healthy pleasure. It should also be seen as a delicious time to share with family, without hurry and enjoying those first hours of the day.
