Implementing a 'Vegetables First' Approach to Complementary Feeding.

Area of Science:

• Nutrition science
• Pediatric health
• Dietary behavior research

Background:

• Global vegetable intake remains below recommended levels, despite their significant health benefits.
• Maternal consumption of vegetables during pregnancy and lactation familiarizes infants with these flavors, establishing chemosensory continuity.
• Early exposure to vegetable flavors in utero and through breast milk can influence later acceptance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the rationale for a 'vegetables first' approach in complementary feeding (CF).
• To leverage chemosensory continuity from prenatal and breastfeeding exposure to enhance vegetable acceptance.
• To explore strategies for increasing the quantity and variety of vegetable intake in children.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing research on early dietary exposure and complementary feeding practices.
• Analysis of studies evaluating the efficacy of a 'vegetables first' approach to CF.
• Examination of evidence for short-term and potential long-term effects on vegetable liking and intake.

Main Results:

• Studies show that a 'vegetables first' approach can increase liking and intake of vegetables in infants.
• Some evidence suggests generalizability of these effects, but sustained benefits beyond infancy are not well-documented.
• Increased quantity and variety of vegetable consumption are achievable goals for improving children's diets.

Conclusions:

• A 'vegetables first' strategy is a promising approach to improve children's vegetable consumption.
• Further robust, long-term randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm sustained benefits.
• Enhancing children's diets with more vegetables is crucial for their overall nutritional status.