Abstract
The use of ginger modified starch and soybean flour blends in the formulation of low-cost, nutritive complementary food gruels were studied. The complementary food samples were analyzed for their nutritional, functional, anti-nutritional and sensory properties. The nutritional composition of the samples showed that the protein content increased with increased supplementation with the soybean flour from 2.68% in sample A (10:90) to 3.97% in sample D (40:60). The functional properties of the samples showed an increase in the swelling index and water absorption capacities from samples A to sample D while the bulk densities were relatively constant. The complementary food samples also showed low levels of oxalate and phytate in the range of 0.03 to 0.06% for oxalate and 0.04 to 0.07% for phytate. The sensory evaluation carried out on the complementary food samples after reconstituting into gruel with warm water, milk and sugar showed that all the samples were well accepted by the judges.
Highlights
Complementary foods are generally introduced between the ages of six months to three years old as breastfeeding is discontinued
The low protein content of the complementary food samples may be due to the high ginger modified cocoyam starch contents of the samples
The result indicates that the protein content increased with increased quantities of the soybean flour addition
Summary
Complementary foods are generally introduced between the ages of six months to three years old as breastfeeding is discontinued. While breastfed infants are often able to maintain adequate growth through their sixth month, additional nutrients are required to complement or, in some cases, replace breastfeeding completely. Adoption of recommended breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and access to the appropriate quality and quantity of foods are essential components of optimal nutrition for infants and young children (Lutter and Rivera, 2003). Complementary feeding period is the time when malnutrition starts in many infants contributing significantly to the high prevalence of malnutrition in children under 5 years of age worldwide (Daelmans and Saadeh, 2003). Nutritional status in children is most vulnerable during the complementary stages when both macro and micronutrients may be insufficient to maintain growth and development. When given too early or too frequently, they displace breast milk (Villapando, 2000; WHO, 2002)
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