Dietary diversity from 6 to 23 months: what WHO means by a diverse complementary diet

What does dietary diversity mean in complementary feeding?

WHO’s 2023 guideline says infants and young children aged 6–23 months should consume a diverse diet. The guideline explains that a variety of foods helps meet nutritional needs and exposes young children to different tastes and textures.

Which food groups does WHO highlight?

WHO’s dietary-diversity recommendation specifically highlights animal-source foods such as meat, fish or eggs, fruits and vegetables, and pulses, nuts and seeds. The guideline also discusses grains, roots, tubers and dairy within the wider set of food groups used to describe dietary diversity.

Why can one staple food group be insufficient?

WHO explains that diets dominated by starchy staples may not provide the same range or quality of nutrients as a more diverse diet. The guideline notes that different food groups contribute different nutrients and that dietary diversity helps reduce the risk of nutrient deficiencies.

What does WHO say about fruits and vegetables?

WHO’s guideline recommends daily consumption of fruits and vegetables for children aged 6–23 months as part of dietary diversity. This is a global population-level recommendation, not a judgment about the intake of an individual child.

How does dietary diversity relate to complementary feeding overall?

Complementary feeding is the period when foods are provided in addition to milk because milk alone is no longer adequate to meet all nutritional requirements. WHO describes 6–23 months as a period in which children learn to accept healthy foods and beverages while growth and nutrient needs are substantial.

Related ChildSpecialist.in information

For the broader framework, see feeding in the first two years. For a separate aspect of complementary feeding, see responsive feeding from 6 to 23 months.