There are many healthy, baby-friendly foods out there, but these 10 recommended by doctors and nutritionists alike stand out from the pack. From vitamin-rich fruits and veggies to meats and beans loaded with protein, these superfoods are crammed with essential nutrients, affordable , easy to arrange , and delicious.
Many also are favorite first foods. Before introducing solids, ask the pediatrician about your baby's readiness for solids, and which foods to introduce and when. Then introduce foods one at a time, waiting a minimum of three days after each new food to observe for any allergy .
Avocados
BabyCenter moms are all about avocado as a primary food. This buttery fruit-vegetable is rich in healthy unsaturated fats that help boost brain development. In fact, the fat composition of avocados is somewhat almost like that of breast milk.
Serving ideas: Mash avocado with a fork, or make baby guacamole.
Bananas
Known as an honest source of potassium, this grab-and-go fruit also contains vitamins B6 and C, calcium, and iron.
Serving ideas: Make banana and mango puree. Or, for your little one's first smoothie, puree banana and peach chunks with whole-milk yogurt.
Blueberries
Blueberries are bursting with antioxidants. The deep, brilliant blue of these berries comes from flavonoids that benefit your baby's eyes, brain, and even tract .
Serving ideas: Blend or mash blueberries well and swirl a spoonful of the juicy purple puree into yogurt, or top silky coconut milk rice pudding with blueberry compote.
Broccoli
This vegetable contains fiber, folate, and calcium, and will even help bar cancer. Introduce your baby to broccoli's bold flavor early, and you'll be expanding his tastes and galvanizing a lifelong love of green vegetables.
Serving idea: Steam until soft, dig pieces sufficiently small for your child to eat safely, then chill. Steaming takes the utter of broccoli, and a couple of babies prefer the texture and taste when it's cold.
Lentils
Beans and other legumes pack many lean protein and fiber. But unlike larger beans, little lentils simmer into a satisfying mush good for baby bites. They're also one of the foremost cost effective healthy foods you'll buy.
Serving ideas: Cook finely diced carrots in conjunction with the lentils. As your baby gets older, double au courant nutrient-rich foods by making lentil and spinach stew.
Meat
Lack of iron can cause anemia. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends meat as a primary food because it's such a superb source of protein, zinc, and iron, especially meat and dark poultry meat. Plus babies absorb iron more easily from meat than from iron-fortified cereals, another common first food.
Serving ideas: If your baby is new solids, try our easy turkey or chicken puree recipe. As she gets older, introduce new flavors with chicken curry with green beans and zucchini or pie .
Prunes
Whether you call them "prunes" or "dried plums," these humble fruits don’t sound glamorous – but they're soft, sweet, and crammed with fiber. Your baby may suffer from constipation when switching to solids, because it may be a big change for her system. Add pureed prunes to her diet to help digestion and keep things moving.
Serving ideas: Serve pureed prunes alone or mixed with other foods, like oatmeal, cereal, or applesauce, for a naturally sweet treat.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are one of the more popular first foods for babies, who tend to like both their sweetness and texture. These colorful root vegetables are filled with beta-carotene, vitamin C, and minerals, including iron and copper.
Serving ideas: Serve sweet potato puree alone or swirled into pureed chicken or turkey.
Winter squash
Orange- or yellow-fleshed hard winter squashes like butternut, acorn, and pumpkin boast many benefits, one among which is they're exceptionally rich in beta-carotene, recognized for being great for eyes. Squash is additionally a superb source of vitamin C . Natural sweetness and a creamy texture increase the appeal of winter varieties.
Serving ideas: Roast a winter squash like butternut, scoop out the flesh, and puree it for an easy first food. As your baby gets older, introduce new flavors and textures with dishes like smashed chickpea and butternut chili.
Yogurt
Creamy yogurt is rich in calcium and vitamin D , necessary for healthy bones and teeth. Your baby can have it at 4 to six months, long before he'll be ready for cow's milk.
Opt for plain yogurt with no added sugar. Also search for a brand with the foremost live cultures, which help regulate the great bacteria in your baby's alimentary canal . confirm you select up whole-milk yogurt – babies need the calories from fat.
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