We all want to do the absolute best for our children. We all want to make sure we’re giving them the best in nutrition. But how many of us look at the nutrition information when choosing foods for our toddlers, and more specifically, toddler formula.
Baby formula isn’t simply cows milk in another form, here’s a list of what’s in formula -
“Enzymatically hydrolyzed reduced minerals, whey protein concentrate, palm olein, soy, coconut, high-oleic safflower oils, lactose, maltodextrin, patoassium citrate, calcium phosphate, calcium chloride, salt, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, potassium iodide, soy lecithin, mono and diglycerides, inositol, choline bitartrate
sodium ascorbate, alpha tocophyeryl acetate, naicinamide, calcum pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, phylloquinone, biotin, vitamin D3, vitamin B12, taurine,
L-carnitine”
Whey, one of the main ingredients in almost all formulas, is a waste by-product of producing certain dairy products, particularly cheeses. Aren’t you glad that the manufacturers now have a profitable way to dispose of their former waste products?
Palm, coconut and safflower oils are some of the least expensive oils, and so are used in many snack foods, and such things as movie theatre popcorn.
One of my biggest concerns, is the sugar. Take a look at this stick pack of S26 toddler formula a friend of mine was handed in a Coles Mother and Baby bag.
CHECK OUT THE SUGAR CONTENT!
This muesli bar has less then half the sugar.
A serve of Cadbury’s mousse chocolate has LESS sugar then the toddler formula.
The toddler formula has as much sugar as 3 Tim Tams, and as much sugar as a strawberries and cream glazed donut from Crispy Cream…
The question is, would you give your toddler this much sugar on a spoon? Remembering in formula it is refined sugar, not natural sugars. It could be corn syrup, fructose, sucrose…
The next thing to remember is that many parents give toddlers bottles in bed, meaning this sugar will then sit on their teeth, possibly all night. Can you say cavities?
By the time your toddler is 12 months old, if they’re not breastfeeding then a balanced diet and some dairy is sufficient. Remember green leafy vegetables contain calcium. There are many types of milk other then cow’s, including goat, nut, rice, coconut.
Here is a healthy food pyramid and guide to healthy eating for toddlers.
Keep in mind that toddler milk is nothing more than a way for formula companies to get around advertising laws, if your child is still on formula at 6 months or 1 year there is no reason why you can’t continue on the 1st step formula. Better yet, breastfeeding is recommended for the first 2 years.
Comments on: "Toddlers, sugar and toddler formula" (7)
would the same apply with lactose free formula? my little girl is on s26 lactose free formula however there is no sugar amounts actually stated on the nutrition table but many other ingrediants listed above are in the ingredients list.
I’m not sure, you would have to look into it. Does lactose free come in a toddler variety?
its from newborn.
I agree that Toddler formulas have way too much sugar for their little bodies, I haven’t looked enough at baby formulas but can imagine it’d be pretty similar. Unfortunately I can’t breastfeed due to medications I’m on (I’ll be off of them when pregnant too), however there’s no donor milk bank in SA that I’m aware of, so formula it will have to be!
If you’re going to compare sugar content between various foods/forumlas though, it needs to be by the 100g/100mL panel rather than serving size. Just thought you might like to know
Have you looked into sourcing your own donor milk from human milk 4 human babies? http://www.hm4hb.org
Had never heard of it! I’ll certainly look into it when the time comes, thanks!
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