Análise comparativa de papinhas de bebês industrializadas

Abstract

Food plays a fundamental role in all life cycles. The first years are decisive for growth and development, in addition to playing an essential role in the formation of habits and maintenance of health. The objective of the research was to carry out a nutritional analysis of industrialized baby food based on the recommendations contained in the Food Guide for children up to 2 years of age from the Ministry of Health. To carry out the research four companies were selected totaling about 18 different baby food products, being either sweet or savoury and of different age groups: from 6 to 8 months, from 8 to 12 months and over 12 months. Most of the analyzed baby foods were below the recommendation in terms of nutrition. In most of them the amount of iron was lower than the WHO recommendation and the amount of protein was mostly high. The energy values of the analyzed baby food were below the recommendation and it can be concluded that although tthe best selling brands of industrialized baby food do not have additives in their composition, they have a nutritional value well below that recommended by the WHO. In other words, they do not offer the energy that complementary food should provide. In addition, the vitamins and minerals found in fresh foods are better used by the body than the vitamins and minerals added in industrialized baby foods, making it clear that a diet with fresh foods is more appropriate and healthy for better growth and development of infants.