Do you know that babies don't have to eat rice cereal as a first food?
The first taste of solid food a baby should have is a single ingredient, a food that is appropriate for their age. According to pediatricians, there are extremely good choices for first foods for babies such as the tasty and creamy avocados, sweet potatoes, and bananas. These nutritious foods are really great first foods for babies. These foods are easy to digest, full of vitamins, minerals, fats, and other nutrients that a baby needs.
Is your baby ready for solid foods?
Babies have small tummies, and because of that, they don't eat much. It is very important to make sure that the foods they take in are nutritious. There are many baby-friendly foods in the market, but some stand out in the pack. These culinary superheroes are filled with necessary nutrients, affordable cost, effortless to prepare, and appetizing. Here are the top 5 healthy and delicious foods for babies from 4 to 8 months old:
- Avocados - sometimes, avocados are thought of as a vegetable, but they are actually a fruit. Avocados contain everything a person needs to survive. Avocados are a rich source of monounsaturated fat, a good type of fat that helps in preventing heart disease and babies need it for the development of the brain. The fat composition of avocados is somewhat similar to breast milk. Avocado may be offered to babies as early as 4 - 6 months old. It is a wonderful first food for babies. Serve fresh, mashed avocados as baby's first food instead of refined cereals.
- Sweet potatoes - sweet potatoes are said to be a great source of potassium, fibre, vitamin C, and of beta-carotene, antioxidants that prevent cancer and free radicals. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A, calcium, folate, and vitamin E too. Babies prefer to eat sweet potatoes compared to vegetables because of its naturally sweet taste. Potatoes are easy to eat even for babies who are just starting the transition to solid foods.
- Bananas - bananas are full of potassium that contributes to healthy blood pressure and healthy heart functions, and also fibre that supports a healthy digestive tract. Bananas are also high in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin B2. Bananas are perfectly portable and are easy to peel. They can be introduced to your baby as early as 4 months old. When serving bananas to a young baby, see to it that it is ripe and thoroughly mashed. Older babies can eat chopped bananas as finger foods, but they should also be ripe.
- Apples - apples contains the two types of fibre: the insoluble fiber and the soluble fiber. Both fibers contain pectin that helps in maintaining regular bowel. Apple promotes cardiovascular health, lung health, prostate, liver, and colon health, as well as bone health. Apples are easy to prepare, easy to digest, and very nutritious. Apples should be peeled for babies under 8 months of age.
- Squash - squash is rich in vitamin A and C. It is naturally sweet and has a creamy texture. It is a wonderful first food for the baby and is also rich in calcium. Squash may be offered for babies from 4 to 6 months old. The best way to cook squash for baby is to bake or to roast it.
Introducing solid foods to your baby is a huge milestone that will serve as the foundation for healthy eating habits. They will probably eat 1/2 of a tablespoon portion of food the first time you introduce solid food. Always remember that breast milk/infant formula are providing for the total nutrition of your baby at this early stage.
