Providing children with balanced nutrition during their first 2,000 days, from pregnancy through early childhood, can help lay the foundation for better health and development, according to Nestlé Philippines.
The first 1,000 days, covering pregnancy through a child’s second birthday, has long been recognized as a critical period for establishing lifelong health. But Nestlé Philippines is also looking at the succeeding years, arguing that opportunities to improve children’s nutritional status extend beyond age two.
‘The first 1,000 days is indeed very important,’ said Edelweiss Sicat, nutrition advocacy lead of Nestlé Philippines, during a recent media roundtable in Makati City. She noted, however, that appropriate nutrition, fortification and healthier food choices can continue to support children’s development in the years that follow.
Jose Uy III, senior vice president and head of corporate affairs at Nestlé Philippines, emphasized that the broader focus does not diminish the importance of the first 1,000 days.
Cha Sy, corporate nutritionist at Nestlé Wellness Campus and project lead, said efforts could include food fortification and expanding access to products that contribute to children’s nutritional needs.
The company also reiterated that breastfeeding remains the best option for infants. Uy said breast-milk substitutes are intended for situations in which mothers are medically unable to provide sufficient breast milk.
Beyond nutrition
The discussion also highlighted the role of added sugar and overall lifestyle in children’s health.
Sy stressed the importance of limiting added sugars as part of a healthier diet. For a 2,000-calorie daily diet, Sicat said the commonly cited limit for added sugars is about 50 grams, or roughly 10 teaspoons. This refers to sugars added to foods, such as table sugar and honey, rather than naturally occurring sugars in whole foods.
Naturally occurring lactose in milk and sugars found in whole fruits are treated differently from added sugars in dietary guidance, Sy explained.
But she said the broader issue goes beyond sugar intake, with nutrition advocates and policymakers increasingly considering children’s overall diet, physical activity and lifestyle.
‘The broader issue, however, goes beyond sugar intake,’ Sy said, noting that digitalization is changing how children spend their time.
Uy likewise pointed to the growing use of digital devices and sedentary activities, saying nutrition policies should be complemented by efforts to encourage children to remain physically active.
The company also called for major food and nutrition policies to be grounded in scientific evidence and developed through consultation with stakeholders.
‘Any major policy that is being created by legislators or the government has to undergo scientific or evidence-based assessment,’ Uy said, adding that consultation with affected sectors and regulatory impact assessments are also important.
He also urged policymakers to consider whether food and nutrition interventions remain accessible and affordable to Filipino families.
This is particularly relevant as the government continues to address the country’s ‘triple burden of malnutrition’-undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight and obesity.
Sicat said a proposed Philippine nutrition profiling model is also being evaluated as a possible tool for providing clearer guidance on the nutritional characteristics of food products.
Uy said Nestlé Philippines and other industry organizations have participated in discussions on nutrition-related policies, while emphasizing that decisions on proposed measures ultimately rest with the appropriate government agencies.
Building healthier generations
Nestlé Philippines said its focus on the first 2,000 days is consistent with its broader goal of helping improve the quality of life of Filipino families.
‘The focus on the first 2,000 days therefore represents a broader view of childhood nutrition: ensuring that children receive appropriate nourishment during pregnancy and early childhood while creating healthier habits that can continue into later years,’ Uy said.
For policymakers, he said the challenge is to ensure that nutrition interventions are supported by credible scientific evidence, meaningful consultation, and policies that Filipino families can realistically afford and access.
‘The ultimate objective is not simply to address nutritional deficiencies today, but to help build healthier generations of Filipinos in the years ahead,’ Uy said.