Protein-rich complementary food helps prevent stunting, here’s a selection of recipes for moms

Complementary foods play an important role in optimizing children’s growth and development in the first 1000 days of life (HPK), one of which is to prevent stunting. Therefore, parents must strive to provide quality complementary food, by ensuring animal protein in complementary food is fulfilled.

What are the various animal protein options that can be included in a quality complementary food menu? Keep reading this article until the end, Parents!

READ ALSO: All things complementary food: Right Timing and Intake Options

Animal Protein to Optimize Child Growth and Development

Director of Nutrition and Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health (MOH) RI, Lovely Daisy said that animal food sources contain complete essential amino acids, which are very supportive of child growth and development, including preventing stunting.

Fostering understanding and awareness of this, in commemorating the 64th National Nutrition Day every January 25 this year, the government carries the theme “MP-ASI Rich in Animal Protein Prevents Stunting”. Stunting is still a frightening specter.

Based on data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health in 2018, 1 in 3 toddlers (27.5 percent) in Indonesia is stunted. According to WHO standards, the prevalence of stunting above 20 percent is a chronic problem.

Lovely explained that the age of infants 6-11 months and 12-23 months is an important phase to make efforts to prevent stunting in children in the future. “In this phase, there is a 1.6-fold increase in stunting, namely 13.7 percent when children are 6-11 months old and 22.4 percent when children are 12-23 months old,” she said.

When a baby turns six months old, this is the age at which the baby is ready to get complementary foods (MPASI). This complementary feeding is the most important intervention to support children’s growth, including preventing stunting.

Low consumption of animal protein contributes to high stunting rate

Research by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Cornell University, USA, analyzed data on 130,432 children aged 6-23 months from 49 middle- and low-income countries. Researchers found evidence of a link between stunting and the level of consumption of animal protein foods.

The results showed that the Latin American and Caribbean region, which has a higher level of consumption of animal food sources or 82.9 percent, has the lowest prevalence of stunting at 22.35 percent. Conversely, the East and South Africa region, which has the lowest proportion of animal protein consumption at 49.3 percent, has the highest prevalence of stunting at 37.4 percent.

The study, which was published in PubMed Central in July 2018, also found that the level of animal food consumption by children is very low in the sub-Saharan African region and most countries in Asia.

Meanwhile, research in the country, namely in Central Jakarta, DKI Jakarta, on the diet of children aged 25-30 months both with stunting and normal status found that children who consume low energy and protein foods have a higher risk of stunting.

Choice of Animal Protein Sources in complementary food

Animal protein provides all essential amino acids compared to plant-based protein. Foods containing animal protein tend to be more nutrient-dense than plant-based protein sources.

Animal protein in complementary feeding (MPASI) can come from several types of food:

1. Chicken Breast

A skinless chicken breast contains 53 grams of protein and 284 calories, or 22.5 grams per 100 grams of skinless chicken breast.
Chicken is also a source of vitamin B, vitamin D, calcium, iron, zinc, and high amounts of vitamin A and vitamin C.

2. Beef

Beef is high in protein. An 85-gram serving of beef contains 21.3 grams of protein. In addition to its high protein content, lean beef is also rich in iron, vitamin B12, and many other essential nutrients.

3. Shrimp

One ounce (28 grams) of raw shrimp contains 24 grams of protein and 99 calories. Shrimp is also a source of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

4. Eggs

Eggs are an excellent animal protein source for MPASI.
One large egg contains 77 calories, 6.3 grams of protein, and 5 grams of healthy fat.
Eggs also contain vitamins D, E, K, and B6, as well as calcium and zinc in adequate amounts.

5. Fish

Fish contains higher protein levels than other animal products. In Indonesia, fish contributes 57.1% of total animal protein consumption.
Fish protein is easily digested and absorbed by the body.

According to various sources, some fish types with high protein content per 100 grams include:

• Tuna: 29 g
• Anchovies: 28 g
• Tilapia: 26 g
• Snapper: 26 g
• Canned sardines: 24 g
• Eel: 18 g
• Pomfret: 18 g
• Catfish: 17 g
• Carp: 17 g
• Dory fish: 16 g

Meanwhile, 178 grams of salmon contains 39.3 grams of protein.

6. Chicken Liver

Chicken liver is also great for complementary feeding (MPASI).
An 85-gram portion contains 20.8 grams of protein, while 100 grams of chicken liver has 24.5 grams of protein.
Other nutrients include 167 kcal, 0.9 grams of carbohydrates, 4.8 grams of fat, and 749 milligrams of omega-6 fatty acids.

7. Pork

For families who consume pork, this meat is also a high-protein source.
Every 100 grams of lean pork contains approximately 25.7 grams of protein.
Additionally, pork is rich in vitamin B1 (thiamine), iron, and zinc, which play an important role in children’s growth and development.m daging babi seberat 113 gram, kandungan proteinnya sekitar 19,1 gram.

Recipe for Animal Protein in Complementary Food

Citing the “Local Food Recipe Book” issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Health in 2023, here are some MPASI recipes that Moms can try, featuring animal protein.

1. Beef and Red Bean Soup Porridge

This recipe makes three servings. Each serving contains 98 kcal of energy, 4.5 g of protein, and 3.6 g of fat.

Ingredients:

• 50 g (6 tbsp) cooked rice
• 30 g (3 tbsp) minced chicken
• 25 g (1/2) chicken egg
• 10 g (1 tbsp) green beans
• 10 g (1 tbsp) carrots
• 10 g (1 tbsp) red beans
• 10 g (1 stalk) green onions
• 1 stalk of celery
• 300 ml chicken broth
• 2.5 g (1/2 tsp) oil for sautéing

Fruit Side Dish:

• 100 g (2 oranges), juiced

Instructions:

1. Boil the chicken broth, add red beans, and cook until soft.
2. Sauté the blended spices until fragrant, then add minced chicken and cook until it changes color.
3. Add the sautéed chicken to the broth and cook until tender.
4. Add cooked rice, green beans, and carrots.
5. Pour in the beaten egg, stir well, and cook until fully done.
6. Blend the porridge to the desired texture, then serve.

2. Cassava Porridge with Fish and Chicken, Served with Orange Sauce

This recipe makes three servings. Each serving contains 91 kcal of energy, 3.1 g of protein, and 3.5 g of fat.

Ingredients:

• 75 g white cassava, boiled and mashed
• 15 g (2 tbsp) minced mackerel
• 15 g minced boiled chicken
• 250 ml chicken broth
• 5 g (1 tsp) coconut oil
• 20 g (2 tbsp) fresh spinach, finely chopped

Seasonings:

• 1 bay leaf
• 1 stalk lemongrass

Blended Spices:

• 1 shallot
• 1 garlic clove

Fruit Side Dish:

• 100 g (3 small oranges), juiced

Instructions:

1. Sauté the blended spices, then add bay leaf and lemongrass.
2. Add chicken broth, cassava, minced fish, and minced boiled chicken. Stir until half-cooked.
3. Add spinach and cook until fully done. If the consistency is too thick, add some boiled water.
4. Blend or strain the mixture until smooth. Before serving, add the orange sauce.

3. Potato Pudding with Chicken and Egg

This recipe makes three servings. Each serving contains 95 kcal of energy, 4.0 g of protein, and 3.6 g of fat.

Ingredients:

• 100 g potato, steamed and mashed
• 30 g (3 tbsp) minced chicken
• 10 g (1 quail egg)
• 15 g (1 small cube) tofu, diced
• 15 g (1.5 tbsp) grated carrot
• 10 g (1 tbsp) pumpkin
• 15 ml coconut milk
• 1 stalk lemongrass
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp oil
• 50 ml chicken broth

Blended Spices:

• 2 shallots
• 2 garlic cloves

Fruit Side Dish:

• 100 g (2 oranges), juiced

Instructions:

1. Sauté the blended spices until fragrant, then add bay leaf and lemongrass.
2. Add minced chicken and cook until it changes color, then add mashed potatoes, pumpkin, tofu, and carrots. Stir well.
3. Pour in the coconut milk and chicken broth, mix well, then remove from heat.
4. Beat the egg, mix it with the cooked ingredients.
5. Grease a heatproof mold with oil, pour in the mixture, and steam for about 20 minutes. Serve while warm.

Moms, No Need to Worry! Here’s Some MPASI Inspiration for Your 6-Month-Old Baby

Now, Moms don’t have to worry about preparing nutritious MPASI menus for their little ones to support optimal growth and development.
If you have questions regarding the right animal protein for your child or need to prevent allergy risks, consult a doctor.

Make sure to check your family’s health regularly through Good Doctor’s 24/7 service. Stay healthy with routine consultations for you and your loved ones!