The word “essential” pertains to something of basic, utmost importance.  For us humans, we have essential needs that need to be met for survival. Some of the basic physiological needs that are vital for everyday life include food, water, air, shelter, and clothing.  If these needs aren’t met, the body can’t function optimally.

Food provides calories and nutrients including carbohydrates, fat, and protein for growth, function, and repair. Food for our bodies is like gasoline to a car – if we do not have enough fuel, the car will not be able to start. In the same way, if young children do not have enough good food, they will not have the energy to grow and be active.

Complementary feeding

In the first six months of life, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended. From 6-12 months, breastfeeding continues to provide half or more of the child’s nutritional needs, and from 12-24 months, at least one-third of their nutritional needs. As well as nutrition, breastfeeding continues to provide protection to the child against many illnesses and provides closeness and contact that helps psychological development. Complementary feeding is the act of giving other foods in addition to breast milk. It is needed to fill the energy gap between the baby’s total energy needs and the energy provided by breast milk. This gap increases as the child grows. Thus, for most babies, six months of age is a good time to start complementary foods. Do you know what food is recommended to be given to a child first? Well, it is thick porridge or lugaw.

WHY LUGAW?

In every community, there is at least one staple or main food. Typically, people eat large amounts of staples as these provide much of the energy the body needs. In the Philippines, rice is the food staple.  It does not only contain carbohydrates, but also have some protein and other nutrients. To provide the optimal amount of nutrition, these staples should be eaten with other foods as well.

At six months, babies need to learn to eat thick porridge or lugaw made from rice and pureed and mashed foods as these fill the energy gap more than liquids. At this stage, it is easier to feed thick lugaw and pureed and mashed foods because babies start to show interest in other people eating and reaching for food, like to put things in their mouth, control their tongue better to move food around their mouth, and start to make up and down “munching” movements with their jaws. Moreover, at this age, babies’ digestive systems are mature enough to begin to digest a range of foods.

A child’s stomach capacity is small. At eight months, it can hold about 200ml at one time. Thin or malabnaw foods and liquids fills this up quickly. It must be noted that the consistency or thickness of foods makes a big difference to how well the food meets the child’s energy needs . Foods of a thick or malapot consistency help to fill the energy gap.

So you see, lugaw is as important any other food. The next time someone asks, “Is lugaw essential?”, you know what to respond.

There are many ways to enrich lugaw, too. Watch out for the next article for recipes on how to make lugaw more nutritious using a variety of readily-accessible ingredients.

#LUGAWISESSENTIAL

(MCLCC, NKSL)

Reference:

WHO. Infant and Young Child Feeling Counselling: An Integrated Course.