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. 2020 May 20;19:47. doi: 10.1186/s12937-020-00566-4

Table 3.

Foods cited by at least 10% of mothers and caregivers that they perceived should be given to children for growth and development

Food Food group for dietary diversity Percentage of women (N = 84)
Mealie meal porridge Grains, roots and tubersa 56
Fresh milk and nespray powdered milk Dairy 39
Vegetables (cabbage, spinach, mixed vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower) All vegetables and fruits groupb 35
Fruits (banana, apple, peaches) All vegetables and fruits groups 32
Burned flour porridge Grains, roots and tubers 23
Mashed potatoes with margarine Grains, roots and tubers 23
Bottled milk (nan, infacare, nan pelargon) Dairy products 19
Nestum and cerelac Grains, roots and tubers 19
Breast milk All nutrients, both macro- and micronutrients 18
Butternut and pumpkin Vit A rich fruits and vegetables 18
Instant porridge Grains, roots and tubers 17
Carrots Vit A rich fruits and vegetables 17
Bread with sour milk Grains, roots and tubers + Dairy products 12
Meat (chicken livers, lamb) Flesh foods and organ meat 12
Oats Grains, roots and tubers 10
Umphokoqo (Xhosa traditional dish)c Grains, roots and tubers + Dairy products 10
Yoghurt Dairy products 10
Niknaksd Grains, roots and tubers 1

aIncludes infant cereals

bFalls in both Vit A rich fruits and vegetables, and Other fruits and vegetables groups

cDish made from mealie meal and water and served with sour milk known locally as amasi

dSouth African snack, originally cheese puffs which is primarily made from maize