A nurse is reviewing the dietary intake of an infant who is receiving complementary foods and drinks along with breast milk.

Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct the mother to limit or avoid to prevent dental caries?

Iron is essential for brain development.Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen through the body and supports a child’s ability to learn.Iron deficiency can cause anemia, which is when there are not enough red blood cells in the body or the child’s ability to carry oxygen throughout the body is lowered.

Choice B is wrong because iron does not prevent constipation in infants.In fact, iron-fortified formula may cause constipation in some infants.

Choice C is wrong because iron does not enhance immune system function.Iron is important for hemoglobin production, but it does not directly affect the immune system.

Choice D is wrong because iron does not improve skin color and tone.Iron deficiency can cause pale skin, but iron supplementation does not change the natural color or tone of the skin.

Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.This will help prevent dumping syndrome, which is a condition that occurs when food moves too fast from the stomach to the duodenum, causing symptoms such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, flushing, dizziness and rapid heart rate.Eating small, frequent meals will reduce the amount of food that enters the small intestine at once and slow down gastric emptying.

Choice B is wrong because drinking fluids with meals rather than between meals will increase the volume of food that enters the small intestine and worsen dumping syndrome symptoms.Fluids should be consumed at least 30 minutes after a meal.

Choice C is wrong because increasing intake of simple carbohydrates such as fruit juice will cause a rapid rise and fall of blood sugar levels, leading to late dumping syndrome symptoms such as sweating, hunger, low blood sugar, fatigue, dizziness and weakness.Simple carbohydrates should be avoided and replaced with complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Choice D is wrong because avoiding foods that are high in fat and protein will not help prevent dumping syndrome.In fact, fat and protein can slow down gastric emptying and stabilize blood sugar levels.A moderate amount of fat and protein should be included in each meal.However, too much fat at one time can have the opposite effect and trigger dumping syndrome symptoms.