DOST-FNRI launches 2021 Menu Guide Calendar for complementary feeding, nutritious family meals

The Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) has launched its 2021 Menu Guide Calendar, which focuses on recipes for complementary feeding of infants and young children after results of the 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) showed that majority of Filipino infants and children do not receive appropriate and timely complementary feeding.

The DOST-FNRI said the menu guide calendar features 12 nutritious recipes developed for the whole family, indicating the suitable serving size for young children aged 12 to 23 months.

“This is to promote healthy diet and consumption behavior anchored on the child’s developmental milestones,” it said in a statement.

The Institute said the developed meal provides at least 250 kilocalories (kcal) with five to 12 grams (g) of protein using affordable and locally-available ingredients.

“Each meal meets part of the vitamin A, iron and other nutrient requirements of infants and is further enhanced by adding DOST-FNRI-developed Multi-nutrient Growth Mix (MGM) powder,” it said.

The calendar also highlights the transition recipes for 6 to 8 months and 9 to 11-month-old babies.

“Transition recipes are developed by modifying the number of ingredients, texture and suggested serving size,” the DOST-FNRI said.

“Featured recipes in the calendar are intended for home-feeding of infants and young children. These can be also used for supplementary feeding by following proper quantification.”