Raising a child requires meticulous attention and awareness of parents. And nutrition becomes the most delicate aspect, since the food the baby takes directly affects one’s growth, development, well-being and even mood. If you are wondering which food will benefit your baby or toddler, you’ve come across the right article. So, let’s discuss what superfoods you need to incorporate into your child’s diet to make him or her thrive.
General recommendations
- Give foods with plenty of nutrients
Even though babies and toddlers don’t eat much, you need to enrich their diet with different nutrients like vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and others. They are incredibly important during the first years of life because all the body systems are forming at that moment.
- Natural baby food should be a priority
Since this little baby is still completely vulnerable to negative influences at first, you should try to avoid any chemicals like antibiotics, preservatives, pesticides, GMOs and others. So, choose the best organic and natural baby food for your little child to make sure it won’t harm one.
- Serve the food appropriately
You need to pay special attention to the shape and temperature of food that you serve. The food should be soft and easily chewed as well as not too hot or cold.
- Keep a diary of what your baby consumes
While trying new foods, your baby may get different reactions. So keeping a diet would be a great way to track them.
Let’s get to the superfoods that are extremely beneficial for babies and toddlers:
1. AVOCADOS
They are so popular for a reason and it’s their nutrient richness. Avocados are a great source of vitamins K, B6, C, folate and fiber, potassium and, moreover, they are super delicious. That has a positive effect on the heart, immune system, eyesight, skin health and digestive system. In addition, it doesn’t require a lot of preparation as they are simply peeled, mashed and served. You just need to check if it’s ripe enough.
2. SWEET POTATOES
They make a perfect source of nutrients for babies and toddlers. They contain elements which affect the eyes growth and gut health. Sweet potatoes are also antioxidant-rich and provide vitamins A, C, B6 , fiber, potassium and iron. Moreover, it tastes great for babies as it’s soft enough it has a favorite sweet flavor.
3. HEALTHIEST BABY CEREAL
One of the most common first foods while introducing solids is iron-fortified baby cereal. And iron itself is so important for little ones as they start to run out of it at around 5 to 6 months. Experts recommend giving the healthiest baby cereal as it’s crucial for one’s growth and development.
4. CARROTS
This vegetable is widely known for its benefit for vision development. They are naturally sweet, so kids enjoy eating them. Moreover, they are rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene. In addition to their benefits for the eyes, they also support heart, lung and kidney function.
5. EGGS
Parents are usually scared of serving eggs for their little ones as it is a popular allergen. So it’s better to consult your health provider on this topic before choosing it. But still eggs make a source of protein, while yolks contain zinc and vitamins A, D, E and B12. In addition, eggs have choline which is quite beneficial for brain development.
6. BROCCOLI
You’ve definitely heard about the benefits of green vegetables. So, broccoli has its strong place in babies’ diets. It is packed with vitamin C, folic acid, fiber, iron, potassium and other nutrients. Broccoli helps babies to grow their bones and teeth. You can serve it with different veggies such as avocado, pumpkin, carrots and others and make it taste great in different ways.
The foods above can make your child healthy and thriving, so try to include them as much as possible in your little one’s diet.
