Deficiencies of dietary fat during infancy may affect the development of the central nervous system, including visual development and intelligence

This post includes a synopsis of a paper published in The Journal of Pediatrics Volume 125, Issue 5, Part 2 , Pages S69-S77, November 1994 and a recipe for Huevos Rancheros.

Study title and authors:
Fat and cholesterol in the diet of infants and young children: Implications for growth, development, and long-term health

MD Stephen C. Hardy, MD Ronald E. Kleinman

Books:

Combined Program in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Massachusetts, USAGeneral Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USAReprint requests: Stephen C. Hardy, MD. Combined Program in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 4th Floor, Bartlett Ext., Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02113.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(06)80739-0/abstract

In a review of the literature Hardy found that:
(a) Fat is necessary in the diets of infants and young children because of their extraordinary energy needs.
(b) Deficiencies of dietary fat during infancy may affect the development of the central nervous system, including visual development and intelligence.
(c) Young children who receive fat-restricted diets are more likely not to consume the recommended dietary allowances of many nutrients.

Hardy concludes that fat should not be restricted in the diets of infants and young children.

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Websites : Videos : Food Mall

Recipe of the day

Huevos Rancheros

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Link Sausage

◦1 lb. link sausage

◦6 eggs

◦1 green onion, chopped

◦1 avocado, chopped

◦Salsa

Method:

For the sausage, use a knife to split the link 3/4 of the way through and use your fingers to split it flat. Cook the sausages in a saute pan, that’s on medium high heat, with the casing side down. Why? Because the casing needs to render out otherwise the sausage will curl up, won’t crisp up and will taste oddly chewy.

While the sausage is browning, whisk together the eggs with a bit of salt. Remember, the salt helps keep the eggs tender. After the sausage is done, scramble the eggs in the sausage renderings, however you like–runny, slightly runny, hard and rubbery.

To serve, lay a few sausage links down on your plate, top with eggs, spoon with salsa and then sprinkle the green onions and avocado on top.

Huevos Rancheros