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Review
. 2022 Jun;11(2):301-310.
doi: 10.1007/s13668-022-00399-z. Epub 2022 Feb 12.

Implementing a 'Vegetables First' Approach to Complementary Feeding

Chandani Nekitsing  1 , Marion M Hetherington  2
Affiliations
Review

Implementing a 'Vegetables First' Approach to Complementary Feeding

Chandani Nekitsing et al. Curr Nutr Rep. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To provide a rationale for promoting a vegetables first approach to complementary feeding (CF), building on prior exposure to vegetable flavours experienced in utero and via breastfeeding (chemosensory continuity).

Recent findings: Vegetables confer selective health benefits but population intakes are below recommendations globally; maternal intake of vegetables during both pregnancy and lactation promotes familiarity with some vegetable flavours. Building on this exposure, vegetables as a first food during CF further promote acceptance. However, experiments testing efficacy of a vegetables first approach to CF demonstrate increased liking and intake, some evidence of generalisability but little evidence of sustained effects beyond infancy. The aim to increase the quantity and variety of vegetables eaten by children is both desirable, to improve nutrient quality of the diet, and achievable. However, longer, larger, randomised control trials are needed to evidence any longer term, sustainable benefits to liking and intake of vegetables.

Keywords: Child eating; Complementary feeding; Early exposure; Eating behaviour; First foods; Food preference; Healthy eating; Infant feeding; Vegetables; Weaning.

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Conflict of interest statement

Chandani Nekitsing and Marion M Hetherington declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Illustration of chemosensory exposure from conception to the family diet, with the ideal number of exposures represented in green ink and the less optimal number of exposures in red ink. Clearly, some infants will have exposures which vary according to maternal behaviours in early life (pregnancy, lactation, CF) and later exposures from the family diet/external environment
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Graphical summary of the National Health Service (NHS) UK guidance on introducing first foods to babies [14]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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