In Peques and Más we bring an interview with Nadia Solana, graduated in Human and Dietary Nutrition and graduated in Food Technology. Nadia works in Nestle in the area of Nutrition, Health and Wellness advising the Marketing department on nutritional messages, labeling and content related to the analysis of the nutritional profile of Nestlé products. In addition Nadia is responsible for conducting courses nutrition training and physical activity programs for workers the company. In the interview we will be able to know more about what happens with nutrition in children, how we can get a healthy and balanced diet in their diets and know many tips and recommendations based on Nadia's experience in a large food company like Nestlé. What is a balanced breakfast and why is it necessary to have one in the morning?
After the fast of the night energy is needed to face the day. An ideal breakfast is one that provides enough calories to arrive with strength at lunchtime, without feeling down or tired in the middle of the morning. A healthy breakfast would be one that contains cereals, which are the basis of the balanced diet, in addition to a piece of fruit and a dairy.
What nutritional characteristics do these foods have?
The cereal provides carbohydrates which is the best and preferred source of energy that the body needs to function. The dairy provides calcium and other minerals for the creation and maintenance of bones and teeth. It also contains vitamin D which increases calcium absorption. The fruit contributes fiber and vitamins so that the whole organism works correctly.
A healthy breakfast would be one that contains cereals in addition to a piece of fruit and a dairy
What can cause a diet with excess fat, refined flours and lots of sugars and additives in the feeding of the little ones?
Fats are the nutrient with more kcal / gram than is available. It exactly contains 9kcal / grams compared to the 4kcal / gram of carbohydrates or protein. A diet with excess fat is usually linked to excess calories and this leads to weight gain, overweight or even obesity. Physical activity helps counteract the "kcal" of more than we consume. The choice of unrefined complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice or whole grains, provides fiber and other elements that contribute to satiety and promote a lower caloric intake.
What is the percentage of energy consumption of the day provided by breakfast?
The percentage of daily energy consumption that breakfast should provide (including breakfast and mid-morning) is 20-25%.
How much energy does a child consume according to age and for normal physical activity?
For children between 4 and 8 years, the optimum is a consumption of about 1,700 kcal. For children between 9 and 12 years old, the average energy is between 1,800 Kcal and 2,000 kcal.
How can we complement breakfast with healthy eating the rest of the day?
A healthy and balanced diet should include water consumption, with 4-8 daily rations, bread, cereals, whole grains, rice, pasta or potatoes, with 4 or 6 daily rations, vegetables and fruits + Fruits to complete the 5 daily rations (can be combined). Also milk, yogurt or cheese with 2 to 4 servings per day. Also olive oil with 3 to 6 servings daily.
An excess fat diet is usually linked to excess calories and this leads to weight gain
For weeks, fish or seafood should be obtained between 3 and 4 servings per week. Lean meats between 3 and 4 servings per week. Eggs between 3 and 4 servings per week. For legumes it is recommended between 2 and 4 servings per week. And nuts between 3 and 7 servings per week.
What is the recommended amount of sugar at the end of the day?
There is no recommendation for daily sugar since this depends on many factors among which are: age, sex, lifestyle and the degree of physical activity performed.
However, Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food information provided to the consumer sets the reference intakes of adults at 90 grams / day of sugars.
What do parents have to do to encourage kids to eat healthy?
Being your reference from an early age is the key. Eating habits are acquired in childhood and, therefore, it is essential that parents practice by example: they should sit together at the table with their children and enjoy eating as a family to develop good habits.
Parents have to be a reference in the feeding of children since childhood
In addition, it can be even fun and motivating for children to prepare meals together, inventing new recipes, decorating dishes with shapes and colors that attract their attention, pleasantly explaining the benefits of eating balancedly ...
How can schools contribute to promoting healthy eating among students?
Providing the monthly menu to parents and even providing proposals for nutritionally balanced dinners to complement these meals. And, of course, educating students in basic nutrition and motivating them to follow healthy lifestyles by incorporating physical activity into daily routines.
What activities does Nestlé do to spread healthy habits in schools?
Nestlé develops specific activities in schools, specifically the "Learn to Eat Well" Program Learning to Eat Well is aimed at elementary school students and taught by their own teachers. It is an experience of high pedagogical value to learn to adopt healthy lifestyles in relation to food and physical exercise.
Nestlé develops activities in schools with the Basic Nutrition Education Program
The Program is an initiative that has the collaboration of the Spanish Nutrition Foundation and the Ferrán Adrià Chair of Gastronomic Culture and Food Sciences of the Camilo José Cela University.
This activity is part of Nestlé's willingness to undertake actions aimed at informing, educating and guiding children and young people so that they are able to correctly select food, and ensure a prudent and balanced diet, which, together with physical exercise, It amounts to a healthy lifestyle.
Does Nestlé have a specific line of allergy products? What is the way to contact the company to request information?
Nestlé does not have a specific line for people with allergies. However, all Nestlé labels include the ingredient list with statements of allergens if they are contained. These statements are made following the list of ingredients.
In relation to the second question, and in the case of gluten-free products, Nestlé has a website that includes the list of products suitable for a gluten-free diet. To access this list, you can access through the link.
In addition to answering any questions, you can contact the Nestlé Consumer Information Service at 902 112 113, on the Internet and by regular mail in the PO Box 1404 - 08080 Barcelona.
And so far the interview with Nadia Solana. We give you the thanks to Nadia for his collaboration with Peques and Más explaining and offering nutritional recommendations for children and the generation of good eating habits.
