Best Practices for Healthy Eating Guide - Nemours

Infants:
Meats & Meat Alternates
Age Recommended Not Recommended
Birth through 3 months n Breast milk (preferred)
n Other foods at this age
n Iron-fortified infant formula
4 through 7 months n Pureed meats or beans with no added sugar,
fat or salt (not reimbursable by CACFP until 8
months of age)
8 through 11 months n Lean meats (beef, veal, and/or pork)
n Skinless poultry (chicken, turkey)
n Fish
n Cooked beans and peas (legumes)
n Egg yolk
n Meats and meat alternates should be soft,
pureed, ground, mashed or finely chopped to
prevent choking
n Foods should have zero grams of trans fat
n Fried foods
n Pre-fried baked foods such as chicken nuggets
and fish sticks
n Processed meats, such as hot dogs, bologna,
bacon and sausage
n Nuts and seeds (choking hazard for children this
age)*
n Pre-mixed, commercially-prepared meals
n Added fat, honey, sugar or salt
*If using nuts and seeds, serve them ground or finely chopped in a prepared food.
Rationale
Why are meats and meat alternates important
n Meats, beans, and eggs offer protein and other
nutrients such as zinc, iron, and B vitamins.
n Protein supplies amino acids that build, repair and
maintain body tissues.
n Nuts, nut butters and seeds are good sources of
unsaturated fat, which promotes cardiovascular
health.
n Minimizing trans fat consumption reduces the risk of
cardiovascular disease.
Portion Size
Age Item Meals
Birth through 3 months n Meats & meat alternates None
4 through 7 months n Chicken, meat, egg, cooked beans or peas* 1–4 Tbsp*
8 through 11 months n Chicken, meat, egg, cooked beans or peas 1–4 Tbsp
n Cottage cheese
1–4 oz.
n Cheese
½ oz. – 2 oz.
* Not reimbursable by CACFP until 8 months of age
Best Practices for Healthy Eating 13