Study on home‐prepared weaning foods for consumption in Bangladesh, with special reference to protein quality

Each mix met approximately 1/3 of the energy requirement of a one‐year‐child, which measure was used as a norm. A daily feeding plan comprising 200 ml breast milk and three servings of the weaning mixes during the day supplied the FAO/WHO recommended intakes for energy, protein and six other nutrients—except calcium where almost 85 percent of the requirement was met. The mixes based on rice and pulses had a protein energy percentage content of 10–12 percent, and a calculated net protein utilization value of 66–75 percent. The corresponding values with wheat‐pulse mixes were 12–14 percent and 56–62 percent respectively. Ten weaning mixes were formulated on the basis of commonly used and locally available foods of vegetable origin for consumption in Bangladesh. Rice and wheat were the staples used; and bengalgram, blackgram, lentil, mungbean and khesari (Lathyrus sativus) were chosen as other ingredients.