Cocoa is a drink with a unique taste and reminiscent of childhood. Its excellent aroma allows you to plunge into memories and feel the warm mom's hugs and smile. As you know, kids are not indifferent to chocolate drinks, but parents often think about how old children can get cocoa. After all, such drinks are recommended to be introduced into the diet with extreme caution, because if there are contraindications, the chocolate drink contributes to allergic reactions and disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. But compliance with the basic recommendations for drinking will help dispel all doubts.
Chocolate drink in baby's diet
According to experts, you should carefully consider the dosage of cocoa for children. From what age you can give it - a very individual question. For children who are not prone to allergic reactions, the drink is shown from two years old, but as a rare treat. And it is best to introduce a chocolate drink into the diet no earlier than three years of age.
It is worth thinking carefully about whether it is worth experimenting and offering the child a drink ahead of schedule. It is necessary to worry because of the presence in its composition of a huge amount of sugar and aromatic substances, which obviously will not benefit the children.
Parents should carefully consider the choice of product, on which the state of health of the baby will depend. After all, the solution to the problem associated with at what age can give a child cocoa, requires special care. The thing is that, as already mentioned, this product contributes to the occurrence of allergic reactions. Therefore, it is important to determine that the child’s body perceived it correctly.
It is advisable not to overdo it and give the baby no more than two cups of drink per week. It is recommended to increase the amount of consumed product only after 6 years. But you should not drink more than 2 small cups at a time. And after ten years of age, you can drink the drink daily. At the named age, the maximum amount of cocoa is calculated based on the proportion of 0.5 grams per day per kilogram of weight.
Try to give the baby a drink in the morning so that the invigorating effect from it does not prevent the baby from falling asleep at a quiet hour or in the evening.
Drink features
During the preparation of the diet, it is important to determine at what age a child can drink cocoa. This is an invigorating drink that works along with an antidepressant and helps fight against anemia due to the presence of iron, zinc and folic acid in the composition.
Despite the benefits, a chocolate drink has some disadvantages. As you know, the composition of cocoa beans contains a small amount of purine, which helps the body process proteins, and is also actively involved in the regulation of metabolic activity. But with an excess of this substance, uric acid accumulates, which can lead to the development of diseases of the urinary system.
Of course, it is possible, and necessary, to give cocoa to children, but at the same time it is necessary to be guided by common sense. Do not forget that the child's nutrition should be balanced.
Health Benefits
From what age can cocoa be for children is a rather urgent problem; solving it requires a special approach. The named drink in the diet is not more useful than fruit drinks, natural juices or compotes, due to the lack of useful vitamins and minerals necessary for the child's body. But it has undoubted advantages with strict adherence to dosage:
- If children do not want to eat in the morning, then a glass of drink will perfectly satisfy your hunger for a while.
- The presence of theobromine contributes to the suppression of the cough reflex. During the illness, the child can be given warm cocoa, which will calm a painful dry cough.
- Due to the tonic effect, the child’s body tolerates physical exertion, endurance increases.
- The unique aroma and quite pleasant taste contribute to improving the mood of the baby.
If no contraindications have been determined by the doctor, then the prescribed dose of cocoa per day will not be superfluous.
We observe safety measures.
We repeat that, despite the addiction of children to cocoa, you should be careful with this drink. The presence of caffeine in it often causes allergies in children. And this is the main drawback, because of which most parents think, with what age can cocoa be for children. Such a flavored drink is sometimes contraindicated even for children at school age. As doctors advise, you should refrain from preparing it in the following situations:
- with obesity;
- with impaired renal function.
This drink is contraindicated in hyperactive children.
If after eating cocoa a rash has formed on the child’s skin or itching has appeared, it is recommended to immediately consult a pediatrician who will tell you whether to use the treat in the future.
The constipation of a child associated with the inclusion of cocoa in the diet is not excluded, therefore, when introducing a new food product, it is advisable to monitor the baby's stool. Sometimes you may encounter headaches caused by drinking a chocolate drink.
If parents have certain doubts about the age at which cocoa can be for children, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Given the features of the development of the child, the specialist will give all the necessary recommendations.
Best time for Cocoa
According to experts, it is advisable to give cocoa to the child in the morning. As you know, such an aromatic drink contains a large percentage of caffeine, which gives a charge of vigor for the whole day. Therefore, in order not to disturb the child’s sleep, drinking cocoa before bedtime is highly not recommended.
Cocoa is a very high-calorie product, which is prepared in whole milk with the addition of sugar. So, its excessive use can lead to fullness. However, if the child is distinguished by activity, then the drink will clearly not harm him.
It should be noted that cocoa contains phenylephilamine, which contributes to the production of endorphin - the hormone of joy. As a result of this, one cup of a tasty and aromatic drink noticeably raises the mood.
The recipe for a tasty drink
To make cocoa for a child, you must use an exclusively natural product. Real cocoa powder should have no additives, have a rich brown tint and a light chocolate flavor. Be sure to pay attention to its fat content, which should not exceed 15%.
Do not think about the age at which you can give children cocoa with milk, as it is a valuable product enriched with vitamins and minerals. Although some children do not absorb lactose well, sometimes young mothers boil cocoa in the water.
The recipe for cocoa for children will not cause any special problems. You must use the following set of products per serving of chocolate treats:
- milk - 150 g;
- cocoa powder - 1 teaspoon;
- sugar is added to taste or not added at all.
It is advisable to pre-mix sugar with cocoa powder in order to avoid the formation of lumps. In a metal bucket, heat the milk and bring it to a boil. Then pour in a mixture of cocoa and sugar, mixing everything thoroughly. The drink should be boiled for 5 minutes, then be sure to let it brew for 10 minutes.
Classic recipe
Cocoa in the baby's diet is an excellent option to diversify the menu. Therefore, after finding out from what age children can use Nesquik cocoa or any other, and finding out the absence of contraindications to this, include it in the baby’s diet.
To prepare a classic drink, you must observe the proportions: 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder per 1 liter of water and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. In addition, the proportions can be changed depending on the individual preferences of the child.
Finally
According to Komarovsky, at what age children can get cocoa, it is definitely impossible to say. Of course, despite a number of contraindications, the drink is useful and in certain quantities will not harm the child. If you do not abuse it, then your baby will enjoy a fragrant and delicious treat without any health risks.