The New Year is the perfect time to embrace fresh habits and make healthier choices for yourself and your loved ones. At Moppet Foods, we believe that good nutrition is the foundation for a happy, thriving family. Whether you are a new parent or looking to improve your family’s eating habits, our simple, practical tips will help you kick off the year on a healthy note. Let’s make 2025 a year of nourishment, growth and wellness together!
Consult with a registered dietitian for personalized guidance for your specific needs and goals. They can provide expert advice and support to help you make sustainable dietary changes for long-term success, especially when it comes to weight loss and improving heart health.
Spend some time planning and prepping your meals to make healthy eating more convenient. Plan a weekly grocery list and prepare meals in advance to save time and avoid eating out. It is good to prepare the child’s complementary foods from each of the following groups:
1. Carbohydrate sources; rice, corn, millet and other grains
2. Fats and Oil; palm oil and fortified vegetable oils
3. Protein sources; fish, meat, milk, egg, crayfish, groundnut, soyabean, beans
4. Vegetables; carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, onions
5. Fruits; oranges, bananas, mangoes, pineapple, melon.
IS YOUR CHILD REFUSING TO EAT ? Feeding the child from his own plate helps one to be sure that the child is getting enough. If meals are served in a common dish, younger children may not get enough food. Young children may need encouragement to eat and may need help in handling food or utensils.
IS THE CHILD BEING GIVEN ANY FLUID OR DRINKS BY BOTTLE ? Any form of milk drinks or food should be fed from a clean, open cup, rather than from a bottle, so as to be sure it is free from impurities.
IS THE FOOD KEPT CLEAN ? Raw food should be washed or cooked with clean water from a safe source. Cooked food should be eaten without delay. Leftovers should be carefully stored and thoroughly reheated.
IS THE WATER KEPT CLEAN ? Clean water is vital for a child’s health. Water should come from a safe source and should be kept clean by storing it in covered containers that are clean on the inside and outside. Use home water treatments like boiling, filtering, adding chlorine Etc
At 6 months, a child needs other foods in addition to breast milk. These provide energy, protein, vitamins and other nutrients needed to support healthy growth. If soft, semi solid or solid foods are introduced too late, the child may not be getting the necessary nutrients. When introducing solid foods, it is more important to start with soft, mushy foods and move gradually to more solid foods. At 6-9 months, children should be breastfed frequently and receive complementary foods at least five times daily. Start with 2-3 spoonfuls per feeding, increasing gradually as the child gets older. At 9-12 months, children should receive other foods, up to 5 times a day, in addition to breast milk. Gradually increase the quantity of foods as the child gets older. At 12- 24 months, give family foods five or more times a day in addition to breast milk.It is important to keep offering foods the child likes, a little at a time and as often as possible.