Target Food Items

What is stunting?

Stunting is the impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation. Children are defined as stunted if their height-for-age is more than two standard deviations below the WHO Child Growth Standards median.

Target Food Items for Healthy Infant Development

Spinach

Spinach contains antioxidants that help rectify the damage caused by free-radicals that damage brain cells and lead to mental decline. Spinach also contains folate that helps in all-round brain development.

Cabbage

Cabbage is brain food. Vitamin K and anthocyanins in cabbage promote mental function and focus. Vitamin K is also important to protect the nerve cells from damage and prevent degenerative diseases. Cabbage is also a rich source of iodine which is an essential nutrient for the brain.

Beans

Beans are rich in protein and have important minerals that together aid brain development. Beans and lentils also provide a good amount of iron, which is also essential for the development of the human brain.

Eggs

Eggs are a fundamental first food for babies because they are one of the most concentrated sources of choline, a nutrient that is crucial for brain health and development.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a particularly good source of two all-star antioxidants: lycopene and beta-carotene. These are essential to protect brain cells and prevent damage. Tomatoes prove to be one of the most economical ways to increase your brainpower.

Seasonal Variation of Food Items

The times of the year when the harvest or the flavor of a given type of food is at its peak. This is usually the time when the item is harvested.

Spinach

Spinach is grown throughout the year. The best times for sowing are proven to be between mid-May and July (for winter season) and between January and March (for warm season).

Cabbage

Production takes place throughout the year with a peak period from July till February. Farmers can cultivate 2 to 4 crops per season.

Beans

The beans are always planted in late (May) so that they can take advantage of summer sun when it is completely dry (August) for harvest. This is usually 55-60 days after the plantation.

Eggs

Available throughout the year.

Tomatoes

In northern regions of Tanzania such as Arusha, tomatoes are harvested from July to September.

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