As per a few types of research, it has been suggested that it is better to wait for six months. At least before starting solid foods as there is minimal risk for your baby of asthma or allergies. Nowadays, many parents believe in starting solid food by four months as the baby develops fast. It is imperative to notice that when you start solid food. Your tiny human should be able to sit upright and hold it. Once you get a nod from your pediatric, you can let your child eat solid foods.
The main reason to provide proper nutrition, starting from a young age, is that a growing age your child needs more energy to move, play, and learn. Profoundly toddler years are loaded with discovery and exploring. So you can try and offer a variety of healthy foods to your little one that tastes different and provides nutrition at the same time.
Some of the best healthy foods you can try for your toddler:
For 4 to 6 months old
For 4 to 6 months old- At this age, you should try simple purees as it will help you identify a food allergy. After you are assured that these foods suit your child’s body, you can dry different fusions.
- Nutrient packed pea puree- Peas are loaded with vitamins including A and C, protein, iron, and calcium. To make it more appealing, you should ensure you strain the puree and feed it to your toddler.
- Nature’s own antacid Banana Puree- Bananas are often known as perfect food as they are rich in fiber and potassium. Ideally, Bananas is one of the first fruits you should introduce to your child as it is gentle on the stomach. Please don’t give it too often as it can lead to constipation.
- Easy to digest brown rice cereal. When it comes to digestion, rice cereal is easily digested and doesn’t cause any allergy commonly. You can make it to a thin texture so babies can eat it smoothly.
For 7 to 9 months old
For 7 to 9 months old- Once you introduce some solid food and get an idea about what suits your baby ‘s body, you can start preparing thick purees with several ingredients. Remember to present one part at a time and mix items that you are sure about that they aren’t allergic to. If your pediatrician gives the nod, you can add meat and other proteins also.
- Rich pumpkin thyme puree- One of the elegant and easy recipes is the seasonal pumpkin thyme puree full of potassium, iron, and beta carotene.
- Yum spinach and healthy white yams- There is no better way to introduce spinach to your child as this healthy fusion adds a dose Vitamin A, calcium, iron, and folate to your little one’s diet. The best part about adding yams is that they can add a little bit of sweetness that enhances the greens.
- Beautiful blueberry and beetroot mash- This mashup of blueberries and beetroots will surely make your child fall in love with magenta color. Additionally, to the beautiful color, the fusion is a fantastic combination of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. To make it a filling breakfast, you can add some cereals to this mashup.
- All about veggies- Stressed about making a healthy meal? You don’t need to stress at all as you can make a delicious veggie puree that too under 8 minutes. To make a mouth-watering vegetable puree, you need to add carrots, peas, potatoes, and fish. This is the best way to introduce fish in your baby’s diet.
For 9 to 12 months old- After introducing a lot of different varieties, your child can finally relish some chunkier mashes and purees. Apart from the crunchier purees, you can add yogurt, cheese, and other dairy-based products to your kid’s diet. Furthermore, at this stage, many toddlers can even try complex combinations, including adult foods that are both finely softened and diced.
- Healthy French ratatouille- Your baby can try the authentic French ratatouille with a twist as you can add the super grain known as Quinoa. The sturdy twist can make for a delicious gourmet puree.
- Yummy creamy chicken- Introduce exotic flavors without adding salt by blending mild species and Herbes De Provence. The delicious recipe will make your child a chicken fan.
- Lip-smacking protein pack banana mash- One of the most protein-packed grain is Quinoa. It is an excellent addition to your baby’s diet. Quinoa also adds a fantastic fine texture to the banana mash, as banana is one ingredient that is almost all kid’s favorite. If you want to skip the fruit part, you can also cook Quinoa by itself as the baked quinoa sticks to your baby’s tiny fingers it is an easy to eat food.
What should you avoid feeding your little one?
It is essential to avoid foods that might cause choking that includes greasy foods, including whole pieces of grapes, large meat pieces, hot dogs, cough drops, and candy. You should also avoid giving small hard foods, including seeds, nuts, chips, popcorn, raisins, raw carrots, and pretzels. Sticky foods, including marshmallows and butter, should be avoided.
It would be best if you cut foods into smaller pieces and watch how they eat it. If your baby has some allergy, avoid you should giving him or her some common allergy-causing foods, including peanuts, milk, eggs, wheat, fish, other nuts, and shellfish.
What should you do if your baby is a picky eater?
- If your child is a picky eater, it would be best to introduce one new food at a time as picky eaters take more time to accept a food item.
- Don’t fall for little cooking; instead, prepare one food that your child loves but pursue him or her to try the different foods.
- Some babies don’t like mixed foods, so ensure you cook recognizable and straightforward food.
- Please don’t force your child to eat what he or she doesn’t like to it.
Thus these food items are best for your little one as they are both tasty and nutritious.
Refernce: https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/homemade-baby-food-recipes.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/13400-feeding-your-toddler—ages-1-to-3-years
