Tag: Weaning foods

According to the World Health Organization, an optimally breastfed infant receives all their energy and nutrient needs from breast milk for the first six months of life. This primary nutritional source, rich in the carbohydrate lactose, provides the essential fuel for rapid growth and brain development.

Pap, a staple food in many African diets, is often made from refined maize meal, which is surprisingly low in essential nutrients like fiber and protein. This nutritional deficiency is a key reason why is pap unhealthy in its basic form, despite its cultural significance.

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, fermented corn starch (used in traditional pap) offers beneficial probiotic properties, giving it a potential edge over some processed alternatives. But is custard better than pap, or does the traditional favorite still come out on top?