Enhance MPASI Nutrition with Pure Dairy Fats: Anchor Presents Inspiring Recipes for Older Infants and Young Children in Collaboration with Children Health Educators
Fonterra believes that breast milk is the best nutrition for infants and supports the World Health Organisation recommendation for six months exclusive breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding, with suitable nutritious complementary feeding, up to two years of age and beyond.
Parents typically begin introducing complementary foods (MPASI) when their infant reaches six months of age — a stage when nutritional needs increase significantly. One key element in MPASI that is often overlooked is the intake of fats. These fats are not only a vital energy source, but also play a critical role in tissue development, brain and nervous system growth, and the infant’s long-term health[1]. Beyond that, it also offers additional benefits for infants, including:
1. Source of Energy: Fats provide twice as much energy as carbohydrates and protein, making them a key way to fuel and support infants as they grow and become more active.
2. Supports Brain and Nervous System Development: About 60% of the brain is made up of fat, which makes fat intake especially important during the MPASI stage. Nutrients such as Arachidonic Acid (AA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) found in fats play a major role in supporting brain growth, vision, and nervous system development.
3. Helps with Vitamin Absorption: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, meaning the body needs fat in the diet to absorb and use these essential nutrients effectively.
4. Makes MPASI More Appetizing: The presence of fat in ingredients like butter adds a savory flavor and creamy texture to food, which may help stimulate an older infant’s appetite and make mealtime more enjoyable.
As one of the key elements for healthy growth and development of older infants and young children, it’s important for parents to choose the right natural sources of fat. These fats can be found in high-quality butter, such as Anchor Butter by Anchor Dairy, the number one dairy brand from New Zealand. As a versatile ingredient that fits a wide range of recipes, Anchor Butter can be used in various MPASI creations — from porridge, stir-fried dishes, and purees to healthy snacks like mini pancakes or steamed vegetables. These menus that contain Anchor Butter not only provide a good source of fats but also contain other nutrients that support a child’s nutritional intake, such as vitamins A and E.
dr. Aisya Fikritama, Sp.A, a child health educator, explained, “Most parents tend to focus only on protein or carbohydrates when preparing MPASI, when in fact fat also plays a crucial role in supporting a child’s development. Butter, which is a flexible ingredient and contains fats that help meet a child’s nutritional needs, is a practical and suitable choice. It can be easily combined with various recipes that can be tailored to suit a child’s taste, making it easier to ensure consistent MPASI intake.” This is also supported by a fellow child health observer, dr. Shane Tuty Cornish, CBS, IBCLC.
Made from high-quality fresh cream sourced from grass-fed cows in New Zealand, Anchor Butter is processed according to international standards without the use of preservatives, artificial colouring, or other chemical additives. Its naturally rich aroma and smooth texture make Anchor Butter an ideal ingredient to enhance flavour, while also serving as a nourishing solution to help fulfil the fat needs in your child’s MPASI.
To support parents in providing nutritious, safe, and versatile ingredients for MPASI, Anchor Indonesia presents a nutritious recipe e-book specially designed to meet the nutritional needs of older infants and young children aged 6 to 24 months. These inspiring recipes were developed in collaboration with two child health educators, dr. Aisya and dr. Shane. Through this collection, Anchor aims to ensure that parents no longer feel overwhelmed when planning daily meals — offering recipes that are easy to make, rich in flavour, and tailored to suit the nutritional needs of children at different developmental stages.
From steamed tuna and shrimp risotto to Japanese-style omurice and creamy dory fish soup, each recipe in the collection uses Anchor Butter as a source of pure dairy fat that enhances flavor while supporting vitamin absorption and brain development. One of the highlight recipes are omurice and mushroom cream, designed to provide a well-balanced combination of nutrients for your little one.
Anchor's Omurice and Mushroom Cream
INGREDIENTS
Rice
· 5 tbsp cooked rice
Fluffy Omelette
· 1 egg · 1/2 tbsp milk · 2 x 7g Anchor Unsalted Butter · 1/2 tbsp sesame oil · A pinch of salt
Mushroom and Beef Cream
· 20g beef slices · 10g mushrooms · 1/2 tbsp milk · 4 tbsp coconut milk · 1/4 tsp powdered broth · 1 tsp tapioca flour · 1/2 tbsp garlic powder · 1/2 tsp sesame oil · A pinch of salt · A pinch of pepper |
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
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Anchor believes that the foundation of a child's nutrition starts at home and is achieved through meals lovingly prepared by parents. This collaborative initiative is Anchor's way of supporting parents in understanding the importance of fats for their little ones, which can be obtained through recipes using Anchor Butter.
This MPASI recipe e-book is available for free access and download through the following link: https://bit.ly/AnchorMPASIBook. With this initiative, Anchor Indonesia invites parents to become more aware of the vital role fats play in MPASI. Combined with high-quality ingredients like Anchor Butter and expert guidance from child health professionals, preparing nutritious and delicious meals for your little one is now easier and more enjoyable than ever. Let’s support your child’s nutritional intake starting today. Happy cooking!
Referensi:
[1] Ricardo Uauy and Cecilia Castillo, "Lipid Requirements of Infants: Implications for Nutrient Composition of Fortified Complementary Foods," The Journal of Nutrition 133, no. 9 (2003): 2962S–2972S, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/133.9.2962S.