What is a Balanced Baby Diet?
Like adults, baby's need a balanced diet of solid foods and milk. However, their form of a balanced diet is different from that of an adult. Babies need a diet that is opposite of an adult's, one that is high in fat and low in fiber. Though fiber is good for the body, a baby's small stomach (it's ten times smaller than an adult's) can't take too much fiber because it will fill them too much, leaving no room for other energy filled and nutritious foods that they need.
Since your baby eats several times a day, partially due to their small stomachs, it will be easy for you to offer them a balanced diet throughout the day, as well as offer them a wide variety of foods. Babies need a variety of foods because different foods will provide different nutrients, which they need. Try to introduce your baby to different foods and flavors during the weaning process since this is the time their food preferences are being formed.
Different Foods and Their Benefits
Try to serve your baby a bit of each of the following foods everyday, making sure that you have variety within the different categories.
- Fruit and Vegetables: To give your baby variety when it comes to fruit and vegetables, serve them as many colors as you can. Differently colored fruit and vegetables provide different nutrients. Try to serve these at each meal and as snacks. If you are buying canned fruit or vegetables, make sure they are in juice or water, and not syrup or oil.
- Dairy: A large part of your baby's diet will still involve milk, like breast milk or formula milk. In fact, either of these two milks will take up half of your baby's diet for a while. Most babies don't give up drinking milk till they're well into toddlerhood. Despite this milk intake, you should also give your baby a good amount of dairy such as yogurt and cheese or a bit of cow's milk, if they aren't lactose intolerant.
- Starchy Food: Baby cereal, baby rice, potatoes, pasta, and bread are carbohydrates that your baby needs for energy. These will help your baby grow and develop, which is why they should eat a bit of it with each meal. Just make sure that they are having vegetables and calcium too.
- Meat and Fish: Your baby needs a good source of protein, and these are usually the best sources. Try not to give your baby fish, chicken, or eggs till they are older. Stick to meats and meat alternatives like tofu, lentils, kidney beans, and chickpeas. Protein can be eaten once or twice a day.
What Your Baby Can't Eat
As mentioned earlier, your baby has a different stomach from an adult. However, there are things you shouldn't feed your baby. The first of the things is salt. Too much salt is bad for your baby's developing kidneys. Make sure you check any ready to eat baby foods for their salt content. Also, don't add any salt to home cooked baby food.
Your baby also cannot eat foods that are high in fat and sugar such as food cooked in oil, food cooked with butter, cakes, biscuits, and other sweets. These foods are low in vitamins, and though you can give them to your baby occasionally, it shouldn't be a part of their regular diet.
Keep in mind that your baby's nutritional needs will change as they grow, and you have to change the balance of the nutrients and energy you provide them as they develop. Always make sure your baby or toddler is eating something that is beneficial to their health, and you are assured that your baby will grow healthy and strong.
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