During the first year of your baby’s life, the best source of nutrition comes from breastfeeding. That said, once your baby is ready to move to solids it’s important to offer foods that provide the most nutrition and biggest benefits to your baby’s growing body. You can make your baby’s plate colorful, fun and healthy with the addition of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Read below to learn about the top superfoods for babies.
1. Blueberries
Offering finger foods to your baby gives them plenty of time to practice their fine motor skills. Blueberries are the perfect size for tiny fingers to pick up and practice self-feeding. They’re also one of the top superfoods with plenty of benefits to your baby’s health. They have vitamin C and potassium, making them a great choice for snacking or breakfast. Blueberries are also one of the best sources of antioxidants, which could potentially lower the risk of cancer or other health problems.
2. Yogurt
Next, offer your baby a serving of yogurt each day to get even more superfood benefits. Yogurt is a great source of vitamin D, protein and fat. Give your baby a spoon so she can practice feeding herself with a utensil. Avoid yogurt products that are packaged specifically for kids. Some of these products are packed with sugar and offer little to no nutritional value. Instead, opt for full-fat Greek yogurt.
3. Carrots
Another food to try is carrots. If your baby isn’t ready to chew, you can make your own carrot puree and mix it with rice cereal or breastmilk. Once your baby gets used to the texture, try preparing steamed carrots and cutting them into cubes so your baby can feed herself. Carrots are an excellent source of beta carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E.
4. Red Meat
During the first year of your baby’s life, it’s important to
5. Avocados
Avocados are also a great first option for any baby starting to eat table foods. Some parents choose avocado as the first food to experiment with when their baby starts showing interest in table foods. It can be quickly mashed into a puree or chopped up into small bite-sized pieces for older babies. This fruit is a great source of vitamin C and healthy fats.
6. Eggs
If you want to give your baby another protein option beyond breastmilk, consider adding eggs to the menu. Eggs can be prepared in a variety of fun and interesting ways for your baby. These include scrambled, hard-boiled or fried. They are also a good source of zinc, fat and iron.
7. Spinach
It’s vital to offer a variety of vegetables at the table for your baby, especially options with different textures, such as spinach. Babies love picking up the spinach leaves and experimenting with the taste. Leafy green spinach can be served
8. Salmon
Your baby’s rapid brain development can be supported by preparing foods like salmon. Salmon is packed with beneficial fish oil, such as DHA and EPA and offers brain-friendly fats and proteins. It’s tough to find any other food that has these essential fats in them. You can broil, poach or bake salmon to make a tasty dinner dish. The soft, flaky texture of the fish also makes it a perfect first food for a toddler learning how to pick up and chew solids.
Parents must lead the way when picking foods for their baby’s first few years of life. It’s important to choose the best possible items that provide the most nutritional value to help your baby’s brain and body development. With these superfoods on the menu, you’ll be sure to give your baby the best possible start in life.