Now that you are done taking good care of your diet during pregnancy to keep your baby healthy and active in your womb, it is time to take care of your baby’s diet yet again. Always talk to your doctor before introducing solid food because babies grow at different rates. The first few years of your baby’s life are very important as it is during this phase that your baby builds up all the strength and develops.
Make sure you talk to your doctor when you plan on giving your baby yoghurt, citrus, fish and eggs before he turns one he might be allergic. You can gradually introduce foods like vegetable purees, fruit and meat earlier than 6 months but remember never give your baby solid food before he is 4 months.
Here are some of the most recommended foods for your baby:
- Avocados
Did you know avocado is actually a fruit but it is mostly believed to be a vegetable? No fruit contains as much protein as avocado does and they are also packed with monounsaturated fat. It is a natural source of unsaturated fat which has a fat composition just like breast milk. Your baby needs such fat composition for brain development.
However, remember to give them only ripe avocados. Wash it well, remove the peel and mash properly. The rich content of fat helps to quickly make your baby feel full.
- Bananas
Bananas are packed with carbohydrates providing sustained energy. It is also an excellent source of fiber that keeps your digestive tract healthy and maintains bowel movements. It is a perfect food for babies as it is soft and easy to chew.
Always give ripe and properly mashed bananas to your babies. Older babies can easily eat chopped bananas but make it a point to given them ripe ones.
- Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are brimming with fiber and potassium along with being an excellent sources of Vitamin C and A. it is a no-fuss food for your little angel as it has a natural creamy texture. Most of the babies love sweet potatoes and prefer to eat it compared to other vegetable because of their natural sweet taste.
All you have to do is boil it and mash it well. It can certainly be sweet transition to solid foods for your baby.
- Yoghurt
Yoghurt has no one reason to be extremely healthy for your baby. It is bursting with phosphorous, protein, vitamin D and calcium. All of them contribute to health and strong bones and teeth. It also contains probiotics which is actually a good kind of bacteria that helps to digest food and strengthen your immune system.
Babies usually love to gobble down plain yoghurt with a little sugar in it. However, don’t given them flavoured yoghurts available in the market as they contain excessive sugar. If you still want to give it some flavour, simply add a little fruit puree to it.
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes are super rich in lycopene which is a red pigment that acts as a powerful antioxidant playing its role in preventing heart diseases and cancer. When cooked with fat, tomatoes release lycopene making it easier for the body to absorb.
Simply cook tomatoes with a little olive oil in it. The puree should be smooth for babies who have just begun eating tomatoes. In case you don’t have fresh tomatoes, you can always use the canned tomatoes.
- Eggs
Without a shred of doubt, eggs are certainly a superfood for your little angel. The yolks contain zinc plus vitamin A, D, E and B12 while egg whites are basically protein. Yet another constituent of yolk is choline which facilitates health and development of brain. Eggs also contain lutein, folate, omega 3 fatty acids and many other oxidants. It doesn’t end here. They are also full of minerals like selenium, iron and zinc which gears up the immune system against various diseases.
Earlier, it was advised that you shouldn’t give your babies eggs before they turn one because of a potential allergic reaction. However, today it is believed that you should only delay giving eggs if there is a family history of such allergies.
- Red Meat
You can start introducing small amounts of meat in your baby’s diet as it offers your baby easily absorbed form of iron. Iron not only helps the red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body but also plays a vital role in brain development. Did you know iron deficiency is among the most common nutrient deficiencies among children?
Make sure the meat is cooked properly and begin serving meat in smaller quantities. Uncooked animal protein carries the risk of salmonella infection.
- Peas
Peas are fully loaded with vitamin K. it is a nutrient that works alongside calcium to promote healthy and strong bones. They are an excellent source of folic acids, fiber, B vitamins and antioxidants (vitamin A and C). They are extremely easy to add to foods because you can simply add them to anything you want.
- Cheese
Does looking at this one come as a shock? Well, cheese is a great source of protein needed for healthy growth and calcium required for strong teeth and bones. Cheese even contains healthy amount of riboflavin (vitamin B12) which aids in converting carbohydrates, fat and protein to energy.
Babies usually love eating Swiss cheese because it has a tinge of sweetness to it. Make sure you cut it into small pieces because your baby can choke on it. It is best to give it to older babies.
- Carrots
Carrot is well known for containing beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant that gives carrots the orange colour we all love. Beta carotene changes into vitamin A which promotes healthy vision and facilitates growth.
For younger babies, you can cook carrots that release its natural sweetness that babies like. For older babies, it is a great finger food. You can even dice well-cooked carrots.
