Using a Vegetables-First Approach to Feeding Infants w/ Dr. Jeanette Rapson: July 27, 2022

New research shows providing vegetables as an infant’s first food is an effective strategy for improving intake and may help children to develop a preference for vegetables.

The study by Massey University Human Nutrition PhD student Dr Jeanette Rapson suggests providing vegetables as first foods increased a baby’s intake of vegetables at nine months of age.

The results of this trial suggest that the start of complementary feeding is an ideal time to introduce vegetables as a first food since infants are willing to try new foods, even those with more bitter tastes such as green vegetables.

Emilia Sullivan spoke to Dr Jeanette Rapson.