The introduction of a "solid" breakfast, usually at the time of food diversification, is an important step in the life of children, and their parents! When should it be introduced and what does it consist of? Are there any recommended quantities or proportions to be respected? I am often asked these questions during consultations, which is why we have decided to talk to you about them, while giving you ideas for balanced meals adapted to baby to avoid the eternal question: "what can we make to eat?
Le déjeuner est souvent le premier repas introduit au démarrage de la diversification alimentaire, soit entre 4 et 6 mois, selon les dernières recommandations en vigueur*. La mise en place de ce repas permet l’introduction de nombreux allergènes plus précocement qu’auparavant, limitant ainsi la potentielle survenue d’allergie(s) alimentaire(s).
Composition of the lunch
Contrary to what is sometimes said, it is better to talk about proportions rather than quantities to give baby! Let your child decide on the "how much", you are already managing the "what", "when", "how", etc. Trust him on the quantities spontaneously consumed. Indeed, he has a marvellous capacity forself-regulation, and will know how to tell you to stop when he is no longer hungry: toddlers do not have a sweet tooth. Moreover, we cannot talk about obesity in babies, even if they are chubby, as long as they eat healthy foods!
To help you and give you a concrete indication despite what I have just said, lunch should consist of 2/3 vegetables (carrots, green beans, squash, broccoli, aubergine, cauliflower, celery, spinach, etc.) and 1/3 starchy foods (potatoes, rice, pasta, semolina, quinoa, bulgur, corn, etc.). To these foods should be added a portion of meat, fish oregg, at a rate of 10 g up to 1 year, 20 g up to 2 years, 30 g up to 3 years... The quantity of protein should be respected in order to protect baby's still immature kidneys.
Another essential element for breakfast: fat! It is essential to add a teaspoon and then a tablespoon ofoil (varying the sources: olive, rapeseed, sunflower, flax, etc.), fresh cream with 30% fat content or a hazelnut and then a knob of butter . The fat should preferably be added raw or melted after cooking and just before serving the dish. For information: a baby aged 6 to 12 months needs 45 to 50% of lipids per day compared with 35 to 40% for an adult! To meet these colossal lipid requirements, it is interesting to regularly introduce oily fish and oleaginous fruits (in powder or puréed form, because of the risk of choking), which are rich in unsaturated fatty acids: the famous omega-3s!
To obtain a complete breakfast, the dish is accompanied by a fruit for dessert, in the form of fruit compote with no added sugar, cooked or even raw to preserve a maximum of vitamins. Breast or infant milk should be gradually reduced as the quantity of the meal consumed by the baby increases.
Practical aspects of setting up the lunch
As far as texture is concerned, foods should have a smooth, fluid, blended consistency in the first few weeks of diversification. Then, it is advisable togradually increase the gradient of texture in classic diversification: from smooth blended, to ground, then lumpy or crushed with a fork to tend towards small melting pieces... Theintroduction of pieces is done at around 8/9 months in classic diversification and beyond 6 months in DME (diversification led by the child) in compliance with safety rules (good installation, sitting with a minimum of support...). Indeed, it is essential tointroduce chunks before the age of 1 year in order to develop the oral sphere with chewing and the food panel or repertoire with these new textures.
Steam cooking, in a pressure cooker or in a foil packet, is to be favoured to maintain a maximum of vitamins and minerals. It is quite possible to cook food in water or in a non-stick pan, but it is advisable toavoid frying (because of the denaturation of oil at high temperatures). Finally, seasonal or even organically grown products are to be preferred for their vitamin and mineral content and their absence of pesticides.
Water, the only essential drink, can of course complete this meal. It can also be offered outside of mealtimes and especially if the amount of milk, breast or infant, is gradually reduced. Encourage baby to drink water regularly throughout the day.
Original recipe ideas for this autumn!
- For the 4-6 months olds: Mushroom soup with béchamel sauce and mixed hard-boiled egg, pumpkin/chestnut purée with turkey, cauliflower/potato purée with ham au gratin, carrot soup with spelt and cod, pear compote with verbena or apple compote with 4-spice mix...
- For 6-12 months: Broccoli/potato crumble and hake fillet with lemon, pasta/spinach and salmon gratin, stew with old-fashioned vegetables, mushroom or butternut squash risotto, veal blanquette with baby vegetables and rice, duck parmentier with sweet potato and carrots, oven-roasted autumn fruit (apple, pear, quince, grapes, etc.), semolina with orange blossom milk, etc.
- For children in DME and 12 months and up: Spaghetti squash and chicken muffin, leek/goat pie, roasted carrots with sardines and polenta chips, banana/kiwi crumble, banana/mango smoothie, apple/banana/blackcurrant liqueur, oven-roasted figs, pineapple carpaccio...
A little advice to finish this article: take the time to eat as a family as often as possible, starting at the weekend, if this is not possible during the week... Baby imitates a lot and for this it is important to set a good example. Take the time to eat and limit entertainment (screens, agitation and other distractors...) in order to integrate this meal as easily as possible. Give him a spoon to eat on his own, so that he can be more independent! And above all, have fun, lunch is a moment of pure pleasure!
Dietician - Nutritionist specialising in paediatrics
Sources
- * "Step by step, your child eats like a grown-up, The little guide to food diversification", Manger Bouger, Santé Publique France, September 2021
- This little guide is based on the scientific opinions of the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (Anses) and the High Council for Public Health (HCSP) on the revision of dietary reference points for children from birth to 36 months (June 2019 and June 2020)