The first 1,000 days of an infant’s life can set the stage for a lifetime of good health. That’s because, within the first 1,000 days of life, a baby’s brain begins to grow and develop with the help of specific vitamins and minerals.1 These include protein, zinc, iron, choline, folate, iodine, vitamins A, D, B6 and B12 and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.2

“Lean pork is an excellent source of four of these nutrients, and a good source of one while containing the others in varying levels,”3,4 explains Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof, Registered Dietitian and the Director of Human Nutrition for NPB.

Pork is a perfect food to help infants transition from breastfeeding or formula feeding to solid foods, and it could help young children try new foods at family meals such as fruits, vegetables or beans. **

“We’re invested in national resources and cutting-edge research that makes it easy for families to choose pork because of its unique nutritional value in the diet of infants and children,” adds Dr. Hicks-Roof.

As September is National Family Meals Month™, NPB is excited to showcase how pork is a staple protein for family meals and can be served to kids of all ages to make every bite count.

September is National Family Meals Month

National Family Meals Month is an opportunity to promote and support family meals that make it easy to pair pork and plants to support the development and growth of infants and children.

“Recent research shows more fruits and vegetables are consumed by infants and children who frequently enjoy meals with their family, their diet quality is higher, and they have better well-being and family connectedness,”5 notes Dr. Hicks Roof. She adds pork can be part of a healthy diet that includes colorful and tasty fruits and vegetables in a bowl or on a plate for all ages.

Nutrition for your Baby’s First Bite (for infants up to 24 months)

Dr. Hicks-Roof explains that NPB has brand new resources that help new parents participate in National Family Meals Month and set the table for success.

This handout is perfect for parents who are interested in using National Family Meals Month as an opportunity to begin the transition to solid foods in the family meal setting and includes:6

  • Why pork is the perfect first food for infants
  • How pork provides variety and texture perfect for infants learning about solid foods while respecting familial culture and budgets
  • How to make your own pureed meat using pork
  • 4 separate ways to prepare pork for your baby

Encouraging Excellent Eating Early (for children 2 years and older)

NPB, who is now a Gold MyPlate National Strategic Partner, was thrilled to collaborate with the United States Department of Agriculture Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Hass Avocado Board and National CACFP Sponsors Association on this handout that features images of pork during mealtime and includes information on:7

  • How to set the table for success during family meals when new foods or dining experiences may be present for toddlers and young children
  • Words, phrases, and language to use with children to encourage a healthy dialogue around new or surprising foods

Dr. Hicks-Roof presented this new handout at a July 2024 webinar for 150 nutrition professionals from around the country.

“The message is simple: if children struggle with fruits, vegetables, beans or other produce items that may be refused, pair it with pork to bring on the flavor during family meals! It’s a protein staple for kids of all ages,” she explains.

For more resources and recipes and great ideas for cooking together as a family during National Family Meals Month, check out Pork & Partners on pork.org and encourage your health professionals to sign up to become part of the community.

National Pork Board’s Investment in Human Nutrition Research among Children

NPB’s commitment to understanding how pork can make every bite count at any age, but specifically during infancy and childhood, was on full display at Nutrition 2024, the premier global nutrition research conference held in Chicago from June 29 – July 2. 

“NPB has supported several studies that directly look at the role pork plays as a complementary food, an area that unfortunately is not well studied due to challenges in studying an infant population,” adds Dr. Hicks-Roof.

NPB sponsored research was showcased at scientific posters presented by researchers from University of Texas at Austin and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

  • Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin wanted to explore how meat, including pork, can impact the overall dietary quality of infants.8
  • Scientists from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus tested how the gut microbiome is impacted by early complementary feeding with protein-rich foods including pureed pork.9

The findings from these research posters are expected to be published in global peer-reviewed scientific journals sometime in late 2024 or early 2025.

The research presented at Nutrition 2024 adds to the growing body of evidence on the beneficial role of pork for infant and child growth and development.

To see how NPB continues to invest in the science around pork for human health and nutrition, click here.

*Visit Reducing the Risk of Choking in Young Children at Mealtimes for information about choking hazards in children. 

Sources:

  1. Your Baby’s First 1,000 Days: AAP Policy Explained. American Academy of Pediatrics website. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Babys-First-1000-Days-AAP-Policy-Explained.aspx. Accessed August 13, 2024.
  2. Schwarzenberg SJ, Georgieff MK; COMMITTEE ON NUTRITION. Advocacy for improving nutrition in the first 1000 days to support childhood development and adult health. Pediatrics. 2018;141(2):e20173716.
  3. U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrient Data Set for Fresh Pork. USDA website. https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/80400525/Data/Pork/Pork1-1.pdf. Accessed August 13, 2024.
  4. U.S. Department of Agriculture, FoodData Central, 2019, pork, fresh, composite of trimmed retail cuts NDB 10093. USDA website. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167855/nutrients. Accessed August 13, 2024.  
  5. Evidence-based Facts. Food Marketing Institute website. https://www.fmi.org/family-meals/toolkits/modular-toolkit/bits-bolts/evidence-based-facts. Accessed August 15, 2024.
  6. Nutrition for Your Baby’s First Bite. National Pork Board website. https://www.pork.org/porkandpartners/resources/babys-first-bite/. Accessed August 13, 2024.
  7. Encouraging Excellent Eating Early. USDA website. https://www.myplate.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/Infant_Toddler_MyPlate_Encouraging_Excellent_Eating_Early_May_15_Unbranded.pdf. Accessed August 13, 2024.  
  8. Foster et al. Animal source foods and infant dietary quality. American Society for Nutrition website. https://nutrition2024.eventscribe.net/fsPopup.asp?PresentationID=1414447&mode=presInfo. Accessed August 13, 2024.
  9. Tang et al. Infant gut microbiota changed over time and in response to different complementary diets: Results from an on-going clinical trial. American Society for Nutrition website. https://nutrition2024.eventscribe.net/fsPopup.asp?PosterID=667822&mode=posterInfo. Accessed August 13, 2024.