Fiber, unlike protein, keeps the fat away as you grow

(matin)

Eating a protein-rich diet at a young age promotes bingeing, obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to a Canadian animal model study.

The researchers published their findings September 29 in the open access journal Nutrition and Metabolism.

Raylene Reimer, PhD, RD, associate professor in the department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Calgary and colleagues concluded "a long-term diet high in protein predisposes to an obese phenotype when rats are given a high energy diet in adulthood" whereas "consumption of a high fiber diet during growth may provide some protection."

More research is needed to determine if humans will experience the same reaction.

Should you choose to start your baby off with a high-fiber diet, health blogs and sites such as Livestrong, DrGreene.com, and eHow recommend transitioning to solid foods with fruits (apricots, prunes, peaches, plums, pears), vegetables (peas, spinach, sweet potatoes), grains (oatmeal, barley) and fibrous fruit juices (plum, prune, pear juice).

Full study, "Consumption of diets high in prebiotic fiber or protein during growth influences the response to a high fat and sucrose diet in adulthood in rats": http://www.nutritionandmetabolism.com/content/7/1/77