When? At 6monthsAt this age the infant:Is ready and mature with the functions to take most of the food consumed by adultsHe needs a variety of food ensuring adequate intake of iron, trace elements and vitaminsHas to learn to chew: from liquid to semi-solid food and then to small pieces of solid food, to educate and favor swallow and then chewing Develops the Salty and Umami tasteGets acquainted to the adult’s table, making a crucial step in the path towards his/her autonomy

Salty or Sweet?

SALT: Essential !The infants, need salt, but milk and other foods may contain salt in sufficient quantity, therefore there is little need to add salt to baby food (100-200mg/day)

SUGAR: Fuel for the Brain !Too sweet : no other tastes ! Restricted diet and risk of imprinting a choice with negative effects on health (Caries, Obesity etc). Never use sweet to give other foods.

HOW TO WEAN?

Food consistency.From semisolid to small pieces of solid food in order to educate and favor swallowing and chewing.Cereals: rice, semolina, maize flour, small size pastaSecond course: meat and fish may be cooked and smashed to be added to the cereals. Later on, fish has to be cut in small pieces with a fork and meat minced.Vegetables : gradually, legumes and all othersFat: olive oil is the best : use a full size soup spoon.Fruit: season-fresh, mixed, smashed, grated . Introduce gradually all types of fruit, with a delayed in time consumption of apricots, cherries and strawberries. No added sugar.

Fruit juice? Not too much, thanks!

They contain many caloriesThey do not have fiber, which are important for the sense of satiety and the right functioning of the intestineThey lack vitamins, which are lost with the conservationIndustrial juices contain preservatives*Squashed oranges are better than juice, whole oranges are better than squashed

At 6 months at the family table!

Food is not only nourishment, but also socialization. It is useful to let the infant acquainted with the table with family as soon as he is able to stay seated. We should remember that all that is good for us is good for him and the other way round. Therefore, do adopt a healthy life style for the whole family.

Did you know that…

•When an infant does not like a certain type of food, 9 daily attempts are needed to win neophobia. Therefore do not get discouraged! Go on to propose the rejected food to the infant, possibly together with something that he/she really likes.•A healthy weaning requires the respect for the infant and the confidence in his ability to self-regulate. Do not worry if he does not eat all the food: 2-3 spoons may be sufficient to make the infant satiatedThe infant is able to self-regulate

Fear?...What for?

Do not be afraid of allergyIf we introduce a teaspoon in the mouth of a 4-6 month infant, the tongue lowers and what is deposed on the teaspoon is swallowed. At 6 months, even without teeth, infants are able to smash and crumble small pieces of food. It is important to educate chewing, so please do not provide liquid food but small-crumbled food.

Do not be afraid of glutenAny delay in introduction of gluten does not prevent CD.

Do not be afraid of chokingInfants are more efficient than adults in spitting out any undesired particle !

Something NOT to do

Do not wean too early and under pressureDo not force the infant to end the proposed foodDo not eat, nor let the infant eating in front of a TV setDo not add sugar to milk or fruit (in general to all type of foods)

Wean this way!

To start:Substitute a breast-feeding with a full meal.30 grams (about 2 spoonful) of rice cream or small size pasta, or semolina both in vegetable broth or in water. 1 spoon of olive oil30 grams of meat (chicken, rabbit, veal) or fish, adequately crumbled, or grated cheese1 serving of season fresh fruit, smashed or shacked

After some weeks:A vegetable soup (1 potato, 1 tomato, 1 carrot, etc) + 30 grams of meat or fish + 1 spoon of olive oil, followed by fruitOr alternativelyA legume soup, that is beans, chick peas, peas, lentils (+ 1 potato) + 1 spoon of olive oil + 1 teaspoon of grated cheese, followed by fruitMilk is still important!The other 2 or 3 feeds are mother or bottle milk (200-250 ml, according to the total number of feeds)

It is important to have good dietary habitsAlso after the first year of life

After weaning, we need to keep giving much attention to child nutrition because:

WE ARE WHAT WE EATFood given to child builds his health. A healthy eating protects from future severe diseases; obesity, diabetes, hypertension, myocardial infarction, cancer.

ADULTS AND CHILDREN SHOULD EAT WELLChildren learn looking at their parents. It is important that the whole family have correct dietary habits

TASTE IS EDUCATED SINCE THE FIRST YEARS OF LIFEAround 18 months of age many children reject new food. Do not be discouraged: sometimes 15 attempts (in different days) are needed to overcome the first rejection; therefore keep going to propose the rejected food together with something already liked.

Breakfast: charge for the day!

Those who have a satisfactory breakfast eat less during the day, eat healthier and are protected from obesity.An optimal breakfast has to provide 20% of the daily calories, which is the energy sufficient for the morning hours.Let’s prepare the table, so that the child learns that breakfast is as important as lunch or dinner.

What a nice lunch!

Take care of both quantity and quality. A child is able to self-regulate: in most cases 2-3 spoons are enough to satisfy his hunger. Therefore do not force him/her. If the child is a “good eater” remember that he needs less quantities than an adult.

A good quality lunch:First course: 40-50 grams of cereals (pasta, rice, polenta, etc.) with tomato or vegetable sauce.Second course: 50-60 grams of fish or 40 grams of meat or 1 egg or 20 grams of cheese or 30 grams of dairy products, (alternatively 25 grams of legumes).Side course: 50-100 grams of vegetables (even more if the child likes it).

Single complete course(if we want to unify first and second course):

Pasta or rice (but also spelt, pearl barley, etc) with legumes (at least twice a week).Pasta or rice with fish (squid, octopus, sea fruit, etc.).Pasta with tomato sauce and 20 grams of grated parmesan cheese.Rice salad with tuna and vegetables.Pasta with 1 egg.Pasta with meat sauce.Polenta and cheese.

After this feed remember that vegetables and some fruit should be eaten.

An optimal snack!

a snack in the morning or in in the afternoon:

1 piece of fruit; or 1 portion of yogurt, or 30 grams of bread with 1 teaspoon of marmalade, o with some small tomatoes.

NO JUNK FOOD!Chips, industrial snacks and sweets are often rich of unhealthy fat or additives. Go with home-made snacks!|FRUIT JUICE: NO THANKS!They contain little fruit, no fiber and vitamins, a lot of sugar and never satiate. Prefer season fresh fruit!

All together for dinner!Prepare always a nice table for the dinner and eat all together, switching TV off.

A good dinner:1 dish with legumes, vegetables and a slice of bread (30-50 grams), or30-40 grams of meat or fish, with vegetables and 1 slice of bread (30-50 grams), or15-20 grams of cheese with vegetables and 1 slice of bread (30-50 grams).

ADD1 spoon of olive oil for each meal is advised; olive oil is better. It is rich of monounsaturated fat, which fights “bad cholesterol” and prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Do you know that….

Fish is important!It provide best proteins, poli- and mono-unsaturated fats, calcium, vitamin D and several complex elements able to stimulate the psycho-motor development.

Tomato is good for health!It contains lycopene, anti-oxidant which protects from aging.

Use basil, oregano,sage, parsley and mint!They contain antibiotics and antioxidants. They are quite protective to maintain young the cells. They also are an important experience of taste! They are really healthy drugs!

The seven golden rules:

The child at the table with adultsTV off during mealsFood common for everybody – common mealDo not force the child to assume all that is proposedVary as much as possible the types of foodRegular times for mealsEverybody has to take care of the table and the diet