Fruits And Vegetables Cannot Be Dominant In MPASI, This Is What Doctors Say

JAKARTA - Fruits and vegetables are included in healthy food for the baby who is starting to enter the breast milk Companion Food (MPASI) phase. However, experts say that this portion of fruit and vegetables should not be dominant.

Dr. Meta Herdiana Hanindita, SpA(K), a pediatrician from RSUD dr. Soetomo Surabaya, explained the reason why fruits and vegetables should not be the main components in the MPASI.

This is due to the antinutrition content contained in some of these fiber foodstuffs.

Antinutrition is a compound in food that can inhibit the body from absorbing important nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. According to Dr. Meta, this compound is often found in plant-based foods, including plant-based fruits, vegetables, and plant-based protein.

"Antinutrition, such as fitic acid, tannin, oxalic acid, and goitrogen, can prevent the absorption of important nutrients such as iron and zinc. These compounds are mostly found in plant-based foodstuffs," he explained in a webinar held by the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) as quoted by ANTARA.

Some examples of foods containing antinutrition include spinach (containing oxalic acid that inhibits calcium absorption), tea (containing tannins that inhibit iron absorption), as well as cabbage and cabbage (containing goitrogen that interferes with iodine absorption).

In fact, nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, and iodine are very important to support child growth and development, especially in the first 1000 days of life (HPK). Therefore, Dr. Meta emphasizes the importance of limiting the role of fruits and vegetables in the MPASI. He suggested that these ingredients should only be used as an introduction to taste, not as the main food.

To ensure that MPASI can support the optimal growth of children, parents are advised to prioritize animal protein in the daily menu. According to Dr. Meta, animal protein is easier for the body to digest and provides important micronutrients such as iron and zinc in sufficient quantities.

Some examples of animal protein recommended are chicken liver, beef, shells, and fish. These ingredients are rich in essential micronutrient content to support child development.

"When giving MPASI, fruit and vegetables are used enough to introduce taste. The main priority is animal protein," said Dr. Meta.

With the provision of the right MPASI, which prioritizes macro and micro nutrients from animal protein sources, the risk of malnutrition in children can be minimized. A balanced nutrition in 1000 HPK will provide a solid basis for optimal child growth and development.