Nutritional evaluation of some complementary food mixtures for weaning stage

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Special Food and Nutrition, Food Technology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Weaning is a crucial period in an infant's life. Most babies, after 6 months of age, begin to eat semi-solid complementary foods. At this stage, homogenized baby food plays a major role in their nutrition. In developing countries, hidden hunger is one of the major problems due to the lack of micronutrients such as vitamins, especially vitamin A, and minerals such as zinc and iron. Cereal porridge is a common complementary food in developing countries and is usually low in energy and protein, thus increasing protein-energy malnutrition among deprived babies of weaning age. In this context, the current experiment was conducted to form a weaning food (12 mixtures) for babies from six to twenty-four months of age that includes fruits, vegetables, and grains consisting of       bananas, kiwi, and pumpkin mixed with beans, rice, date powder, and dried milk. The sensory properties of 12 mixtures were evaluated, and then the four best mixtures were selected. The chemical composition and mineral content were estimated in the four selected formulas in comparison with Cerelac (a commercial sample) as a reference sample. In addition, vitamins, antioxidants, and microbial activity were evaluated. Sensory and chemical analysis showed that weaning food (mixture M4) was the best mixture in terms of sensory properties and chemical composition compared to cerelac.
 

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