Maslenitsa for children: an expert told how many pancakes children can eat

Olga Vladimirovna Tarasova, PhD, Associate Professor of the Department of Hospital Pediatrics No. 2 at Pirogov University, talks about how to properly treat children to pancakes on Maslenitsa.

How many pancakes are acceptable for children under 12 to avoid overeating and digestive problems?

Pancakes are a high-calorie product, so their inclusion in a child's menu requires a special approach. It is important to consider the recipe and cooking method. Pancakes should not replace a full meal, they should not be offered to a child as a snack or breakfast.

You can introduce pancakes into your child's diet from about 1.5-2 years. It is better to start with pancakes made from yeast-free dough, prepared from flour, salt, eggs and soda in water or diluted milk, without any additives. It is important that the pancakes are homemade and have a minimum fat content. It is recommended to give children small portions, starting with 1-2 spoons, gradually increasing the volume. For children under 3 years old, it is better to cook pancakes on kefir or yogurt. Preschoolers are not recommended to eat more than 3-5 pancakes at a time, and pancakes with filling - no more than 1-2 pieces.

What toppings and sauces are good for kids to get the nutrients they need?

It is not recommended to give children pancakes with pickles, a lot of spices and seasonings. Pancakes are quite fatty food, and their combination with other fatty products, such as mayonnaise, red fish or caviar, can be difficult for children's digestion. On Maslenitsa, you should not give your child more pancakes than usual.

Healthy fillings include boiled chicken or turkey fillet, apples, pears and other fruits, seasonal berries, and cottage cheese.

How to balance a child's diet for Maslenitsa, given the high carbohydrate content of pancakes, to avoid sharp spikes in blood sugar?

The most harmful fillings for pancakes are condensed milk, syrups, honey, jam and preserves. In addition to the excess sugar content, which is harmful to children, these products can provoke allergic reactions. They are especially dangerous for children with endocrine diseases, excess weight, diabetes or a predisposition to it. It is important to remember that the composition of pancakes can be dangerous for children prone to allergies, especially if there is a food allergy to milk, eggs and / or gluten. Therefore, pancakes with a sweet filling are a dessert that should be consumed in limited quantities and in the first half of the day. Despite the Maslenitsa week, it is important to observe moderation and eat this traditional Russian dish no more than 2 times a week.