What You need to Know when Weaning

Kid's health and nutrition is of utmost importance to parents. Awareness has also been raised in recent year through various nation-led campaigns.

In May 2017, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) launched a $1 million 5-year campaign to educate parents on the nutritional needs of children. Also, Nurture Kids Program, Singapore's national movement for sport and physical activity, was launched in mid-August 2017. Eight Preschools participated in the test run of the Program developed by ActiveSG. Toddlers between four and six years old got to work out and learn about the food they should be eating through a new physical exercise and nutrition programme. The program aims to inculcate good habits from young to stay healthy and active.

(Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hpb-to-launch-campaign-on-kids-nutritional-needs & https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/workouts-and-nutrition-lessons-for-pre-schoolers)

The common concerns are obesity and nutritional deficiencies (especially iron and Vitamin D). The latter significantly affects the child's overall health as growth and development can be seriously impacted by lack of essential vitamins and nutrients. 

Parents try to ensure balanced and nutritious diet for their children, especially after weaning babies off breast/formula milk.

Image Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hpb-to-launch-campaign-on-kids-nutritional-needs

However, these days the Gen Z are spoilt for choice as they have variety of food to choose from. Some children prefer fast food to healthier homecooked food. Others are fussy eaters who refuse to eat vegetables. Parents usually have a hard time trying to decide what to cook and coming up with varying menus for a change. The trick is to get inspiration from recipe ideas that are easy to try out and able to get that nod of "approval" from the junior food connoisseurs.