Recommended Foods for Your Baby

There are many types of foods that benefit your baby, but there is a list of those that provide many more benefits than others and are considered the most outstanding in their consumption. These foods have more important nutrients for your baby's growth, which is why, when your child is starting to eat solids, it will be good to offer them varied flavors and plenty of nutrients. That is why we tell you which foods will provide what your baby needs. It is important to remember that the food should have the appropriate texture according to your baby's age: well mashed or very fine puree for babies aged 6 to 8 months, and soft, small pieces for babies aged 8 to 10 months. Once your child turns one, they can eat almost the same textures as an adult, biting and chewing pieces of food sized appropriately to avoid choking. It is recommended to wait three days before offering a new food. This way, you can notice if they have an allergic reaction to any of them. Pumpkin There are many varieties of pumpkins, and all are rich in vitamins A and C. Pumpkin is also a naturally sweet vegetable with a pleasant texture for children, very creamy. Preparation idea: Bake or steam half a pumpkin and drizzle it with a little olive oil or grated Parmesan cheese. You can also serve the cooked pumpkin with a bit of fresh cilantro and ground cooked chickpeas, or add it to your baby's favorite meals. Recommended recipe: Click here for a delicious pumpkin puree recipe that your baby will love. Lentils These are rich in protein and fiber, making them very nutritious. They also contain a lot of iron—more than black beans—and are one of the healthiest and most economical foods you can buy. Preparation idea: Combine lentils with mixed vegetables, such as carrots and zucchini, and serve them with rice and your preferred seasoning. Try herbs like basil and oregano. Recommended recipe: Click here for a delicious lentil recipe. Dark green leafy vegetables Dark green leafy vegetables are high in iron and folate. While spinach may be the most popular in this group, there are many other varieties, including different types of cabbage and chard. Serving idea: Steam or sauté a handful of vegetables and mix in a little iron-fortified cereal to give your baby a double dose of this important mineral. Try different proportions to discover the mix that your baby enjoys the most. Recommended recipe: Delicious cauliflower puree recipe that your baby might love. Broccoli It contains folate, fiber, and calcium. This vegetable is also recognized for its anticancer properties. Additionally, the sulfur compounds it contains give it a unique flavor that helps your baby expand their palate. Serving idea: Steam broccoli pieces until tender and freeze them. Steaming takes away the strong flavor of broccoli, and frozen broccoli is often more appealing to babies. It can also soothe their gums during teething. Blueberries The deep blue color of these wild fruits comes from a type of flavonoids they contain, called anthocyanins, which are very good for the baby's eyes, brain, and even urinary tract. Preparation idea: Combine 1 cup of blueberries and a quarter cup of water in a bowl, microwave for one minute, and let cool. Serve the cooked blueberries with natural yogurt on top. Avocados Avocados are a good source of unsaturated fats. In fact, the composition of fat they contain is somewhat similar to that of breast milk. And if you are concerned about your baby eating too much fat, don't worry because unsaturated fat is a beneficial type of fat that babies need for brain development. Preparation idea: Combine mashed avocados with other ingredients, such as cream cheese, apples, or fish. And when you go out, leave the cookies at home and take avocado instead. You can carry an avocado in the baby's bag and serve it in thin slices on toast while enjoying a cup of coffee with your friends. Beef Some people do not think of beef as a food for babies, but meat is an excellent source of zinc and iron for babies over 7 months old. Preparation idea: Stews are one of the ideal meals for babies: they are easy to prepare, easy to chew, and can be made in a very varied way. You can prepare a meat stew for the whole family and make a nutritious and tasty puree for your baby. Prunes Dried plums or prunes are high in fiber and can help relieve constipation, which may affect your baby once you start introducing solid foods into their diet. Preparation idea: Soak the prunes, puree them, and serve them alone or mixed with other foods, such as cereal or apple puree, for a naturally sweet dessert. If your baby is very constipated, it is suggested to add a teaspoon or two of prune juice to their formula or breast milk bottle. Chickpeas Like lentils, beans, and other legumes, chickpeas are rich in proteins and fibers. And they are economical and versatile. Preparation idea: Try hummus, or chickpea puree. Buy it at the supermarket or make it yourself by pureeing cooked chickpeas with garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and tahini (sesame butter). Mandarins Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, mandarins are an excellent food that your baby can eat with their fingers. Babies love their taste. Preparation idea: Cut the segments into pieces that the baby can put in their mouth without the risk of choking, and you're done. You can buy fresh or canned mandarins, but if you buy canned ones, make sure they are submerged in water and not in syrup, as sugar is added to syrup.   To see more baby food recipes, click here.