Fat is an essential nutrient for the growth of infants, crucial for body development and brain function. From birth, infants consume fat through breast milk, which typically contains 3% to 5% fat, with a variety of types that are crucial for infants. It is not only a significant source of energy for babies, accounting for about 50% of their daily energy needs in breastfed infants, but also rich in DHA, EPA, and other unsaturated fatty acids, promoting healthy brain and nervous system development. Therefore, when babies start introducing solid foods at around 6 months, as breast milk alone may not meet their fat requirements, it is advisable to gradually introduce dietary oils.
Regarding the recommended amount of oil intake, the “Chinese Nutrition Society Women’s Branch” Infant Feeding Guidelines provide clear recommendations: infants aged 6 to 12 months should consume 5 to 10 grams of oil daily, while toddlers aged 1 to 3 years should consume 20 to 25 grams. In practice, when babies are between 6 months and 1 year old and are trying solid foods, a small amount of oil can be added to porridge, pureed foods, or noodles, approximately 5 to 10 grams per day. As children grow from 1 to 3 years old and their diet expands, oil intake can be increased through cooking, with a total recommended intake of 20 to 25 grams per day. By the ages of 3 to 6, children’s diets approach that of adults, and they should maintain healthy eating habits, with recommended oil intake of 25 to 30 grams per day, while also focusing on cultivating good food habits.
