7/31/2019 How to Make Every Bite Count
2/9
Make every bite count withnutrient-rich foodsYour choice of
foods and how you feed your baby and toddler havean important
influence on their eating habits throughout life.
Family meals made from fresh, nutrient-rich foods make it easy
tomeet everyones needs from one meal that all will enjoy.
Which nutrients are important forgrowth and development?The
first two years of a babys life is a time of rapid growth and
development.
Providing nutrient-rich foods will help meet requirements of
essential nutrientsat this important time.
Iron and zincIron and zinc are vital for healthy growth and
brain development.
From around six months of age, your babys iron and zinc stores
can becomedepleted. At this stage, it is important to start
introducing good sources ofthese nutrients such as iron-fortified
rice cereal and red meat.
Omega-3To support your babys brain and visual development, a
regular intake ofomega-3 fatty acids are required. Fish is the best
source of omega-3, with redmeat making the second largest
contribution to intake in the Australian diet.
CalciumCalcium is important for strong bones and good teeth.
Breast milk shouldbe the main source of calcium in your babys diet
until at least one year of
age. Commercial infant formula is a satisfactory substitute for
infants whoare not breastfed. Whole-milk products such as yoghurt
and cheese can beintroduced from six months of age. Full-cream cows
milk can be offered as adrink from 12 months of age.
ProteinProtein is required for growth and development and your
baby requires morebecause they are growing so rapidly. Amino acids
are the building blocks ofprotein. Some foods such as red meat
contain all the amino acids which areessential for a healthy
body.
3.5
Iron In Food
Iron(mg)
Beef,50g
Cooked
Lam
b,50g
Cooked
Pork
,50g
Cooked
Cow
smilk,
100m
l
Chic
ken,50g
Cooked
Fish,50g
Cooked
Egg
(1),50g
Cooked
Legu
mes,1/3
cup
(50g),
Cooked
Spin
ach,1/4
cup
(50g)
Ironfortifiedrice
cereal15gdry
cerealwith
125m
lwater
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Iron AbsorbedTotal Iron
Good sources of Iron Red meat is high in iron and zinc which is
well absorbed by the body.
Haem iron (found only in meat, fish and poultry) is absorbed
four times betterthan non-haem iron. This means more iron is
absorbed from meat,fish or poultry than from plant foods (see
graph).
Red meat consumed three to four times per week makes it easier
to meetdietary requirements.
Meat-free diets Carefully choose suitable food alternatives that
are high in iron and zinc.
Combining plant food sources of iron with foods high in vitamin
C helps toincrease iron absorption.
3
7/31/2019 How to Make Every Bite Count
9/9
Health authorities recommend you eat at least 2 serves of
fruitand 5 serves of vegetables every day. Recommendationsfor
children will vary depending on age, appetite andphysical activity
level. Go for 2&5 is supported by industry
and other organisations with an interest in promoting
goodhealth. For more information, visit www.gofor2and5.com.au.
State of Western Australia (2010) reproduced with permission.
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) represents the beef,
sheepmeat and goat meat producers of Australia. MLA has acommitment
to providing health professionals and allAustralians with accurate
nutrition information about the roleof red meat as part of a
healthy balanced diet. Locked Bag 991North Sydney NSW 2059.
www.themainmeal.com.au.
MLA is a DAA corporate partner. For expert nutrition anddietary
advice contact an Accredited Practising Dietitian(APD) in your
local area by visiting Find an APDat www.daa.asn.au or call 1800
812 942.
These are guidelines only and are not intended as medical or
nutritional advice. If you havespecific health or dietary concerns,
discuss them with your doctor or Accredited Practising
Dietitian.
This information has been independently reviewed by the
Dietitians Association of Australia.Background information is
available at www.themainmeal.com.au
1st Edition, October 2010.
Red meat trimmed of visible fat has less than 4% saturatedfat
and earns the Heart Foundation Tick of Approval. For
moreinformation on the Tick program, visit
www.heartfoundation.org.au/tick. CERT TM used under licence.
For additional copies of this brochure please call 1800 550 018
or visit www themainmeal com au
