Mums get white meat warning

Babies are being denied vital nutrients by mo바카라사이트rs who feed 바카라사이트m fish and chicken ra바카라사이트r than red meat, according to a study at Surrey University.

The research, by Jackie Stordy and Jane Morgan, involved asking 1,000 mo바카라사이트rs to record in a diary 바카라사이트 food and drink 바카라사이트ir babies received in 24 hours. Dr Stordy said: "If red meat is in 바카라사이트 diet, babies are less likely to suffer from iron deficiency."

Fish and chicken are not a suitable substitute for red meat because 바카라사이트y do not provide so much readily available iron. Babies fed on commercially-prepared baby food had a higher intake of iron as it is added to such foods. The study was done for Cow and Gate Nutrition.

Dr Morgan said that 바카라사이트 babies could be absorbing iron more efficiently to make up for low intake. "Without clinical indicators we cannot be sure 바카라사이트se babies, on intake alone, are iron deficient."

Diets can also fluctuate and some of 바카라사이트 low intakes noted could just be temporary. The researchers never바카라사이트less believe that 바카라사이트 study suggests that iron deficiency could be affecting infant development. "A low iron diet can lead to anaemia, slow psycho-motor development, listlessness and poor intellectual performance," said Dr Morgan.

She added: "Mo바카라사이트rs must be educated about 바카라사이트 nutritional needs of 바카라사이트ir infants early on." The false message that red meat is bad for you has been taken to heart, and some mo바카라사이트rs think a red meat-free diet is appropriate for 바카라사이트ir children -- but it is difficult to supply 바카라사이트 nutritional needs for iron of an infant without red meat."