Zinc: How to Get Enough Zinc with Baby-Led Weaning Foods
Aug 17, 2021
Zinc plays a vital role in infant growth and development, supporting over 300 enzymatic reactions. As babies transition to solids, their zinc needs increase, making it crucial to introduce zinc-rich foods. This podcast dives into the best sources of zinc, including animal foods, and offers practical tips for parents on integrating these foods during baby-led weaning. It also addresses the challenges of zinc absorption and highlights a modern breast pump designed for convenience, helping busy moms ensure their little ones get the nutrients they need.
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Zinc's Crucial Role in Development
Zinc is an essential mineral required for over 300 enzymatic reactions including immune function and growth.
It is present in every organ and tissue and crucial for taste, smell, cognitive development, and wound healing.
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Include Animal Foods Early
Include animal foods in your baby's diet early when starting solids since they provide the best absorbed zinc.
Aim to incorporate meats, poultry, and dairy regularly to meet zinc needs.
insights INSIGHT
Phytates Impact Zinc Absorption
Diets high in phytates from grains and beans can inhibit zinc absorption causing growth stunting.
Zinc deficiency is rare in developed countries but common in populations with low animal food intake.
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#153: Zinc is kind of like iron’s lesser known micronutrient sibling. It’s not as talked about, but it’s role in growth and development for babies is really important. And while breastmilk and/or formula will meet your baby’s zinc needs for the first 6 months or so of life...it is important to start including zinc containing foods when you start baby-led weaning.
In this episode we’re looking at zinc and what it does for babies’ growth and health...but also how you can offer foods that contain zinc to ensure your baby is getting enough zinc from foods.
Listen to this episode to learn:
WHAT zinc is and how having enough zinc ensures your baby’s body can perform more than 300 different enzymatic reactions related to things like immune function, taste and smell, growth and development and cognition.
WHEN baby’s zinc needs begin increasing and why it’s important to include zinc containing foods as part of the weaning diet
WHICH foods contain zinc and if your family eats animal foods, how you can work in a rotation of these foods to ensure your baby is getting adequate zinc from BLW foods
Not sure about which foods to offer your baby next? Get your copy of my original 100 FIRST FOODS list on my free online video workshop called BABY-LED WEANING FOR BEGINNERS.
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Want guided help on how to make all of the 100 FIRST FOODS™ safely for your baby? My program BABY-LED WEANING WITH KATIE FERRARO has a 100 FIRST FOODS daily meal plan and everything else you need to start solid foods safely with baby-led weaning. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.
If you learned something from this episode and like this podcast, your review means the WORLD to us and helps other parents find this important evidence-based infant feeding info. Click here to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate this show on Spotify podcasts and thanks for being a part of this amazing and supportive baby-led weaning community!
Baby-Led Weaning with Katie Ferraro