Weaning 6-8 months: what children can eat

• the late introduction of foods deemed “allergenic” (such as eggs, fish, gluten) does not prevent the development of food allergy and/or celiac disease in predisposed subjects;
• the age of the child at the first exposure to food (provided it occurs after four months of life ) does not modify the risk in subsequent ages.

In this regard, the insertion of the egg and fish is often delayed due to the fear of the onset of allergies, when instead it is precisely this delay that causes the predisposition.

The current nutritional recommendations of the World Health Organization indicate not to postpone the intake of fish and eggs after 9 months and to promote their inclusion within a short time after the introduction of solid foods, preferably while the child is breastfed.

From a nutritional point of view , eggs and fish are a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as DHA , which are essential for the cognitive development of the child. Therefore, with the exception of some particular cases, it is advisable to carry out weaning without anticipating or delaying its nutritional requests.

The most common mistakes

On the other hand, the recommendation not to exaggerate, in the weaning phase, with the offer of salty foods with a high protein content is absolutely valid and current. The most common errors in the first feeding are in fact due to an excess of cheese, small cheeses and meat, which burden the child’s metabolism and could direct his future preferences towards a less healthy diet, because it is high in protein (with too much protein) and high in sodium ( with too much salt ).

The porridge with fish

Ingredients:

• 1-2 tablespoons of steamed pureed beets;
• 30 g of semolina (3 tablespoons), cooked in water without added salt;
• 1-2 tablespoons of cooking water as needed, based on the consistency of the jelly;
• 10 g (2 teaspoons) of sea bream fillet, (or sea bass or cod or sole) blended.
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil (EVO).

Procedure:

Cook the steamed beets for 2-3 minutes. cook the steamed fish fillet for 2-3 minutes.

Blend the beets and the fish separately with a little water. Subsequently, cook the semolina in water and then season it with the beets, fish and EVO oil, adjusting the consistency with the cooking water.

It is important to always insert a grated or blended seasonal fruit at the end of the meal.