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 National Pork Board.

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 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 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

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

Encouraging excellent eating early

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

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.

NPB's investment in human nutrition research

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 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.

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:

¹Your Baby’s First 1,000 Days: AAP Policy Explained. American Academy of Pediatrics website. Accessed Aug. 13, 2024.

²Schwarzenberg 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.

³USDA Nutrient Data Set for Fresh Pork. USDA website. Accessed Aug. 13, 2024.

⁴USDA, FoodData Central, 2019, pork, fresh, composite of trimmed retail cuts NDB 10093. USDA website. Accessed Aug. 13, 2024.  

⁵Evidence-based Facts. Food Marketing Institute website. Accessed Aug. 15, 2024.

⁶Nutrition for Your Baby’s First Bite. National Pork Board website. Accessed Aug. 13, 2024.

⁷Encouraging Excellent Eating Early. USDA website. Accessed Aug. 13, 2024.  

⁸Foster et al. Animal source foods and infant dietary quality. American Society for Nutrition website. Accessed Aug. 13, 2024.

⁹Tang 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. Accessed Aug. 13, 2024.