Healthy Foods for Your Toddler
Has your baby started eating solid foods? Are you wondering what kinds of foods you can start off with? The traditional way is to stick to baby food, and perhaps add ragi or pulped fruit or vegetables. But there are a lot of other options when it comes to solid food for your growing toddler. Here are five healthy foods that are great for your baby –
Eggs-
Eggs are great as a first food. They are a complete source of nutrition and easily digestible. Eggs are brimming with protein, and vitamins and they are so easy to prepare too. Hard boil the egg, mash the yolk and mix it with milk (breast milk or formula) or even water and feed it to the child. If the child has teeth and can chew the white, you can give it as a finger food. Avoid if you think the child may swallow and choke on it. You can also make scrambled eggs or omelets for older toddlers.
Beans and lentils-
Beans and lentils are a high source of protein and vitamins too. They add texture to the food. Just soak the lentils overnight and cook until soft. Puree it taking care not to reduce it to pulp. You may add a sprinkle of salt and pepper to it.
Wheat bread and crackers-
If your baby can handle finger foods, you can offer him a whole wheat cracker or whole wheat toast. The fiber in whole wheat is good for the baby.
Yogurt-
Yogurt contains the gut friendly probiotics and is great for the tummy. Take care not to give the child store bought flavoured yogurt since it has heaps of added sugar. Plain yogurt will be good enough. It is okay to give the child full fat yogurt because young children need more than half of the calories they consume from fat.
Fish-
Yes, cold water fishes like salmon, tuna, sardines, and herring are great healthy foods for your baby. These fishes are super rich in DHA and Omega 3 fatty acids which are so important for brain and retinal development. Bake or steam a boneless fillet and then puree it. Thin it with breastmilk or formula milk or water and it is ready to be served.
Do you think these foods can be tried as an introduction to solid food for your toddler? What other foods have you tried for your growing baby?
My name is Shubhangi Srikanth and I write under the pen name Titli. I started my blog “The Little Princess” and it helped me channel my thoughts in the proper direction. After having worked for more than 12 years in the Pharmaceutical and Banking sector, I now freelance as a content writer for medical and health websites. I have two adorable boys, who have taught me more about life than I could teach them. Being a mother is one of the most fulfilling roles of my life, one that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world!
