At the start of the new year, many people make resolutions to implement and keep for a year. For babies too, it's possible to make a few small changes during this new year to provide them with a diet suited to their needs!
Preparing delicious homemade meals
Everyone agrees that bought baby food is convenient when time is short in the kitchen . However, these well-known jars aren't always as good as they seem. Have you ever tasted them yourself? To introduce your little one to all the delicious flavors of home cooking , there's nothing better than preparing tasty homemade meals ! You can adapt the recipe as your child grows and introduce them to different textures with just one ingredient! There are countless recipes perfect for a delicious meal every day ! Furthermore, by offering your little one rich and varied meals, they can develop good eating habits that will last a very long time!
Preparing homemade meals is much better than buying ready-made meals from the store!
Set aside the added salt and sugar
Hearing about baby-led weaning, some parents might think that babies eat exactly the same meals and snacks as adults. But that's not quite the case! For your healthy development , it's strongly advised against adding salt to their meals and offering recipes high in added sugars . In fact, a baby's kidneys are still too immature to properly digest salt. Added sugars increase the risk of high blood pressure, liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. Let's protect our baby's health by removing salt and added sugars from their diet until they are three years old!
To add a little flavor to baby's meals , nothing beats aromatic herbs and spices ! And for snacks, fruit will provide that touch of natural sweetness !
Introduce seasonal fruits and vegetables
For all fruits and vegetables, there is a season during which it is best to eat them. Indeed, seasonal fruits and vegetables provide the body with many nutrients when it needs them most . In winter, fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins C and D, perfect for boosting the immunity of the whole family. While in summer, fruits and vegetables are full of water to hydrate the body while you eat!
The flavor of seasonal fruits and vegetables is much more pronounced when their natural season is respected. A strawberry will taste much better in summer than in autumn. Food will be picked at its peak ripeness, giving it a more intense flavor! It would be a shame to introduce a baby to fruits and vegetables with a rather bland taste.
Vary your baby's diet as much as possible
With the introduction of solid foods, your little one's taste buds will be delighted at every meal. However, to ensure your baby receives a rich diet, the secret is to offer as much variety as possible. Whether it's the foods , the textures , the types of recipes , the shapes , or even the colors , variety is key ! The same food can be offered to your baby in many different forms, so take advantage of it! For example, carrots can be steamed into sticks, pancakes, cakes, purées, soups, balls, and more.
Creating a weekly menu for your baby can help you organize their meals and maximize the variety of foods on their plate !
These four good resolutions are already a big step towards providing your little one with a healthy and varied diet , but above all one adapted to their needs ! With a little organization, you'll be able to implement these small resolutions throughout the year!
Photo: © Lune et l'autre
