Dietary advice for 12- 24 months old- African kids

Optimal nutrition during infancy and early childhood is critical for child growth and development, and early feeding practices influence health later in life. From 12 to 24 months, infants gradually move from primarily breastfeeding (or milk feeds) to semisolid early infant foods and finally to various family foods. The dietary patterns established during this critical period often continue into mid-childhood, setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.

Dietary advice for African children aged 12-24 months should prioritize nutrient-dense complementary foods to meet their high nutritional requirements. The key to achieving this is dietary diversity, which is directly linked to increased nutrient density. A diverse diet provides essential proteins and micronutrients such as calcium, iron, and zinc. Therefore, it is crucial to empower mothers with targeted strategies to offer their children a varied and nutrient-rich diet.

The Importance of Dietary Diversity

Dietary diversity refers to including a wide variety of foods across and within food groups in a child’s diet. This diversity is crucial for providing a broad spectrum of nutrients necessary for a child’s development. Achieving dietary diversity is not as complex as it may seem, and with some guidance, it can be easily incorporated into your child’s meals.

Benefits of Higher Dietary Diversity:

• Improved Nutrient Intake: A varied diet ensures that children receive adequate proteins and critical micronutrients like calcium, iron, and zinc.
• Enhanced Growth and Development: Nutrients from diverse foods support physical growth, cognitive development, and immune function.
• Prevention of Malnutrition: A diverse diet helps prevent nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition, common concerns in many African regions.

This article provides comprehensive dietary advice, focusing on the necessary macronutrients and micronutrients and best practices to promote healthy growth and development.

Macronutrients: The Building Blocks of Growth

Macronutrients—carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—are essential for energy, growth, and development. Each macronutrient plays a unique role in a child’s diet.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for young children. They should make up about 50-60% of daily caloric intake.

• Sources: Whole grains (millet, sorghum, maize), starchy vegetables (sweet potatoes, yams), and fruits (bananas, mangoes).
• Benefits: Provide sustained energy, aid in digestion due to fibre content, and support brain development.

Proteins

Proteins are vital for growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. They should comprise about 10-15% of daily caloric intake.

• Sources: Animal sources ( chicken, fish, eggs, dairy), legumes (beans, lentils, peas), and nuts (peanuts, almonds).
• Benefits: Essential for muscle development, immune function, and overall growth.

Fats

Fats are necessary for brain development, hormone production, and energy storage. They should make up about 30-35% of daily caloric intake.

• Sources: Healthy oils (palm oil, coconut oil), avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish.
• Benefits: Support brain development, provide essential fatty acids, and assist in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins.

Micronutrients: Essential Vitamins and Minerals

Though needed in smaller amounts, micronutrients are crucial for the proper functioning of the body and preventing deficiencies.

Iron

Iron is essential for cognitive development and preventing anaemia.

• Sources: Poultry, fish, beans, dark leafy greens, and fortified cereals.
• Benefits: Supports the production of haemoglobin and oxygen transport in the blood.

Calcium

Calcium is necessary for the development of strong bones and teeth.

• Sources: Dairy products (milk, yoghurt, cheese), green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale), and fortified plant-based milk.
• Benefits: Essential for bone growth, nerve function, and muscle contractions.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is vital for vision, immune function, and skin health.

• Sources: Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, mangoes, and liver.
• Benefits: Supports eye health, immune response, and cell growth.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps in calcium absorption and bone development.

• Sources: Sunlight exposure, fatty fish (salmon, sardines), egg yolks, and fortified foods.
• Benefits: Crucial for bone health and immune function.

Zinc

Zinc is vital for growth, immune function, and wound healing.

• Sources: legumes, seeds, nuts, and dairy products.
• Benefits: Supports cell growth, immune response, and DNA synthesis.

Iodine

Iodine is necessary for thyroid function and brain development.

• Sources: Iodized salt
• Benefits: Essential for the production of thyroid hormones and cognitive function.

Dos and Don’ts for Ensuring Proper Growth and Development

Dos

1. Provide a Balanced Diet: Ensure that meals contain a variety of foods to cover all macronutrient and micronutrient needs. Include appropriate proportions of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and fats.
2. Encourage Frequent Meals: Young children have small stomachs but high energy needs. To ensure they receive adequate nutrition, offer three main meals and two to three healthy snacks daily.
3. Include Fortified Foods: Use fortified cereals and flours to help meet the micronutrient needs, particularly iron, zinc, and vitamin A.
4. Maintain Hygiene: To prevent infections, practice good hygiene during food preparation and feeding. Wash hands, clean utensils, and ensure food is stored safely.
5. Promote Breastfeeding: Continue breastfeeding alongside complementary foods until at least 24 months, as it provides essential nutrients and antibodies.
6. Monitor Growth: Regularly check the child’s growth using growth charts to ensure they meet developmental milestones.
7. Hydrate Adequately: Provide clean, safe drinking water to keep the child well-hydrated.

Don’ts

1. Avoid Junk Food: Limit foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, such as sugary drinks, candies, chips, and fast food, as they can lead to malnutrition and health issues.
2. Prevent Choking Hazards: Avoid foods that pose choking risks, such as whole nuts, hard candies, and large chunks of raw vegetables. Ensure foods are cut into small, manageable pieces.
3. Limit Processed Foods: Processed foods often contain additives and preservatives unsuitable for young children. Opt for fresh, whole foods instead.
4. Do Not Force Feed: Encourage healthy eating habits without pressuring the child to eat. Respect their appetite and let them develop a natural relationship with food.
5. Avoid Allergenic Foods Initially: Carefully introduce potential allergens like peanuts, shellfish, and eggs and monitor for adverse reactions.

Conclusion

Higher dietary diversity is fundamental for ensuring that African children aged 12-24 months receive the nutrient-dense diet they need for optimal growth and development.