As parents, we strive to provide the best for our children, especially when it comes to their nutrition. However, a recent study has revealed alarming concerns about the baby food market in the U.S, (of which Canada's is very similar). According to the study, 60% of foods marketed for infants and toddlers fail to meet the World Health Organization's nutritional guidelines. Even more concerning, half of the sugar consumed from these foods comes from pouches, which have seen a 900% increase in sales over the past 13 years.
Dr. Mark Corkins, a pediatric nutrition expert, highlights a critical issue: "Children have to learn to chew, so they should be eating regular fruits, not pureed, sweetened things in a pouch. Often, these blends are not natural and much sweeter than real fruit, so the child is being taught to only like supersweet things."
Elizabeth Dunford, a study author and research fellow at the George Institute, further explains, "Early childhood is a crucial period of rapid growth and when taste preferences and dietary habits form, potentially paving the way for the development of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and some cancers later in life. Time-poor parents are increasingly choosing convenience foods, unaware that many of these products lack key nutrients needed for their child’s development and tricked into believing they are healthier than they really are."
Beyond sweetness, texture plays a crucial role in a child's development. Corkins emphasizes the importance of gradually increasing the texture of foods during the introduction to solids between 6 months and a year. Failure to expose children to a variety of textures can lead to texture aversion, where a child may refuse anything but smooth, pureed foods. Please check out the full CNN article here.
At Riley’s Kitchen, we understand these challenges and are committed to offering wholesome, nutritious options that support your child’s development. Our products are made with natural, simple ingredients, free from any sugars, and promote healthy chewing and texture exploration. They are REAL food, and helping parents make real food for their families is our commitment.
The Riley's Kitchen Promise:
- Natural Ingredients: We prioritize simple, quality whole-food ingredients, helping to ensure that your child develops a taste for natural flavours, not overly sweetened ones.
- Texture Variety: Our products encourage healthy chewing by offering a range of textures that are appropriate for your child’s developmental stage.
- Transparency and Trust: You can rely on Riley’s Kitchen for products that align with the best nutritional guidelines, without any misleading claims.
In a market filled with unhealthy options, Riley’s Kitchen is dedicated to helping you make the best choices for your little one’s health and well-being. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our Yuka app scores, where our products score between 90-100%, a testament to our dedication to transparency and providing the best for your family. Choose Riley’s Kitchen for nutrition you can trust, from infancy through to adulthood.