Introduce Variety of Baby Foods
Although, fresh fruits and vegetables may be cooked, pureed, and frozen for prolonged use, parents should remember that freshly-made baby food always excites the baby’s taste buds. One must pay attention to the baby’s eating habits and remember that the ultimate key to a balanced diet is variety. The diet should include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, meat, fish, and dairy products. Introducing colorful vegetables and fruits at an early age helps infants grow into non-fussy children who are not averse to eating.
- In the West, infants are usually introduced to bland cereals and then gradually fed mashed fruits and vegetables.
- In the East, home-made baby food is commonly used. Infants are started on rice porridge and are then given mashed fruits, soft vegetables, tofu, and fish. These foods are always semi-solid, porridge-type preparations.
- In some Nordic countries, it is common to start with a mashed fruit, such as bananas and potatoes. Some parents prefer to pre-chew the food in order to aid the digestion process.
- Maize porridge, infant cereal (muesli, corn flakes, rice puff, etc.), and mashed meat are also good alternatives for complimentary baby food. Well-cooked fish, poultry, egg yolks and other alternatives such as legumes and bean curd, which are mashed after being well cooked, are a high source of iron and protein for the infant. It is a well-established fact that iron from meat sources is better absorbed than iron from non-meat sources.
- Coconut milk is rich in lauric acid, which is found only in breast milk. Lauric acid is very good for the baby’s bones. It is rich in soluble fat. Parents can consult a pediatrician before feeding their baby with coconut milk.
- It is best to avoid adding table sugar while feeding your baby the foods mentioned above, as they are already loaded with natural sugars and saturated fats.
- When buying packaged baby food, parents should read instructions regarding the recommended size of the serving, sugar, sodium, and fat content. One must also carefully read the list of ingredients given.
Conclusion:
Parents are the happiest when they see their children grow happy and healthy. Taking care of nutrition during infancy goes a long way in transforming a toddler into an active and healthy child. In doing so, parents also put their babies on the road to good health by cultivating healthy eating habits and offering them balanced nutrition.
