Wondering what the best foods for babies are? Well, we’ve got a handy list for you. Of course, you must already know that fruits and vegetables are the best for babies but are there certain foods that are considered to be especially good for babies? Let’s find out.
Before we dive right in, remember that you need to be careful about any possible food allergies. Also, remember that babies don’t need any food apart from breastmilk/formula for the first six months of their life. Additionally, prepare the foods in such a way that your baby can eat them.
Sliced and pureed options are considered to be the best for babies. In fact, it’s best to give babies raw fruits and vegetables only after they cross the age of nine months. It’s also good to keep an eye on them as they eat.
Now, here are five of the best foods for babies.
1. Avocados
Avocados are an excellent source of healthy fats for babies. They also contain vitamins A, C, and E, as well as potassium and fiber. Avocados can be mashed and used in place of butter or oil in recipes. They can also be cut into small pieces for the baby to eat as finger foods. Since they are soft and buttery, babies are bound to enjoy them.
So, if you were thinking “What’s the best baby food to start with?” avocados are a good answer!
2. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins A and C, fiber, and potassium. They’re also low in fat and calories and high in water content. Sweet potatoes can be roasted, baked, or steamed. They can also be pureed or mashed and added to other recipes and are easy for a baby to chew on, swallow, and digest.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt is a good source of calcium, protein, and vitamins D and B12. It also contains live cultures (probiotics or “good bacteria”), which help with digestion and maintain gut health.
Look for yogurts that are labelled “plain” or “nonfat.” Avoid those with added sugar or artificial fruit flavouring. Yogurt can be fed to the baby as is, or mixed into other foods like cereal or pureed fruits.
On a hot summer’s day, cool yogurt is a much better treat for your baby than ice cream!
4. Blueberries
Blueberries are a good source of fiber, antioxidants, natural sugars, vitamin C, and manganese. They help with healthy metabolism and digestion and are good for the skin.
Blueberries can be given to babies whole (if they can chew them) or pureed and mixed into other foods (such as oatmeal or homemade muffins). However, if your baby is too young, don’t give them blueberries whole as they can choke on them!
5. Eggs
Eggs are a good source of protein, fat, vitamins, choline, and minerals. They’re also one of the few foods that contain vitamin D (to be precise, egg yolks are a rich source of vitamin D). Eggs can be scrambled, hard-boiled, or poached. They can also be pureed or mashed and added to other recipes.
However, if your baby has eczema, speak to a doctor before deciding to give your baby eggs. Additionally, since the egg is one of the most common food allergens, keep an eye out for any allergic reactions!
Don’t Forget Breastmilk or Formula!
Even though the above-mentioned foods are some of the best for babies, don’t forget that breastmilk or formula is still the most important food for your baby. It should be the only and main source of nutrition for the first 6 months! That’s right, for the first 6 months, your baby needs nothing but breastmilk or formula for nutrition and hydration.
After your baby has crossed the age of 6 months, you can start to slowly introduce solid foods while continuing to breastfeed or give formula. You can eventually start to use the solid food to wean your baby!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this article on the best foods for babies. What other foods do you think should be on this list? Let us know in the comments below.