At around six months of age, an infant’s energy and nutrient needs begin to exceed those that can be met solely through breastfeeding alone. A diet supplement provides additional foods and beverages alongside breast milk in order to meet this demand; when implemented appropriately it promotes optimal growth while decreasing risks of overweight and obesity.
Adequate
At approximately six months old, babies’ nutritional needs begin to surpass those met by breast milk alone and should be introduced when developmentally ready. Complementary foods should contain more kilocalories than breast milk while being rich in nutrients – almost acting like complete proteins! Plus being safe to eat.
Safe
At around 6 months, an infant’s energy and nutritional needs begin to exceed what breast milk alone can meet. When introduced correctly, complementary foods can provide essential nutrition.
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Vitamin K2 can be difficult to access for plant-based eaters. Natto, a fermented soy product, and tempeh are good sources, while most Western food doesn’t offer enough. Our plant-based nutrient solution, Complement Essential, delivers optimal levels of menaquinone-7 Vitamin K2.
Responsive
Timing the introduction of complementary foods is important. Infants typically become ready for solid foods around 6 months, although premature introduction could expose children to potential microbial contamination and cause diarrhoea. Furthermore, timing may also depend on its energy-denseness; foods which are thicker or solid are typically more energy dense than liquid ones.
Unfortified homemade complementary foods based on starchy roots and tubers, cereal mixtures, and rice that are commonly available in low-income countries often do not meet daily iron, zinc, and calcium requirements due to phytate-laden plant food sources which reduce bioavailability unless supplemented with animal sources – increasing costs significantly and becoming unpractical in poor populations. Instead, fortifying with fat should meet both energy and micronutrient needs of young children more effectively.