Abstract
Complementary food blends based on some cereals and legumes that are sold in
Plateau State, Nigeria were formulated for baby weaning foods and were analyzed.
The cereals used included Zea mays (white corn), Pennisetum typhoides (millet) and
Digitaria exilis (acha). The legumes included Voandzeia subterranean (Bambara
nuts), Arachis hypogaea (groundnuts) and Glycine max (soyabeans). The different
blends were analyzed for their proximate nutrients and then the amounts of nutrients
available in a meal (50g) of each of the blends. Results obtained showed that the
different blends contained higher protein (18-20.4g) and energy (525-540kcal) than
the control (16g, 400kcal) respectively. The different blends per meal (50g) did not
meet the Recommended daily allowance (RDA), however, administering it three
times per day will help meet the RDA’s. All the amino acids that were found in the
control were also detected in the different blends. The complementary blends
compared well with the standard formula and can be suggested for use as home
made, less expensive infant foods during the complementary feeding period as breast
feeding continues.