Nutrition expert at the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Matilda Steiner-Asiedu has emphasized the importance of protein and iron-rich foods in preventing iron deficiency anaemia and supporting healthy child development.
According to Prof. Steiner-Asiedu, many Ghanaian children suffer from iron deficiency because they are not given balanced and nutrient-dense diets during the complementary feeding stage after six months of breastfeeding.
She explained that children need adequate iron, protein, vitamins, and other nutrients to support blood formation, growth, and overall development.
She encouraged parents to include iron-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, beans, fish, meat, eggs, anchovies, and legumes in children’s meals, while also providing vitamin C-rich fruits like oranges and mangoes to improve iron absorption.
Focusing on prevention, Prof. Steiner-Asiedu urged parents to move away from heavily processed and nutrient-poor meals and instead feed children balanced traditional foods rich in iron and protein.
According to her, meals such as rice and beans, kontomire stew, bean stew enriched with agushie, vegetables and grains are more beneficial for children’s growth and blood formation than oily rice dishes and poorly balanced fast foods.
The nutrition expert cautioned against feeding children nutritionally poor foods alone, noting that diets lacking protein and essential nutrients increase the risk of malnutrition and anaemia.
She also called for more research into preserving fruits and vegetables during harvest seasons so they remain affordable and available throughout the year, particularly during dry seasons when prices of leafy vegetables rise sharply.
The professor criticised food pricing practices in markets that make nutritious foods inaccessible to ordinary families, urging market leaders and traders to support national efforts toward achieving food security and reducing malnutrition.
She also highlighted the role of malaria, intestinal worms, and poor hygiene practices in worsening iron deficiency among children.
Prof. Steiner-Asiedu urged parents and caregivers to adopt proper feeding practices, maintain good sanitation, and seek regular health checkups to ensure healthy growth and development among children under five.
