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A healthy and scientific diet will help children develop well both physically and mentally. Therefore, children need to be supplemented by their parents with foods with the best nutrients in their diets. If you have not found a list of good foods for children, parents can refer to the following article.
1. Nutrition is very important for children
There is a wide variety of foods that are healthy and child-friendly. But among them, there are 10 foods recommended by doctors and nutritionists for children that stand out the most. From vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables to high-protein meats and beans, these superfoods are packed with essential nutrients, and they're affordable, easy to prepare, and delicious.
Before giving complementary foods to your baby, talk to your pediatrician about your baby's readiness for solid foods. And consult your doctor to consider what foods to introduce to your baby and when to do this. Then introduce foods one at a time, waiting at least three days after each new food to see if there is an allergic reaction. So what should you eat when feeding your baby solids?
Trắc nghiệm: các chỉ số cần chú ý về sự phát triển thể chất của trẻ
Chiều cao, cân nặng của bé ở từng giai đoạn nên là bao nhiêu là bình thường, bao nhiêu là bất thường? Cùng ThS.BS Ma Văn Thấm điểm lại xem bạn đã nắm được các chỉ số phát triển thể chất của bé chưa nhé!The following content is prepared under supervision of Thạc sĩ, Bác sĩ y khoa, Ma Văn Thấm , Nhi , Phòng khám Đa khoa Quốc tế Vinmec Dương Đông(Phú Quốc)
2. 10 best foods to introduce to children
2.1. Avocado Mothers all consider avocado as the first food that should be introduced to their baby. This fruit is rich in healthy unsaturated fats that boost brain development. In fact, the fat composition of butter is somewhat similar to that of breast milk.
Baby Meal Ideas: Mash avocados with a fork or make guacamoles for babies.
2.2. Bananas Bananas are known as a good source of potassium. This fruit also contains vitamins B6 and C, calcium and iron.
Kid meal ideas: Make banana and mango puree. Or for your baby's first smoothie, puree bananas and peaches with full cream yogurt.
2.3. Blueberries Blueberries are booming in the process of making healthy food choices for the diet. Because this fruit is known to be quite high in antioxidants. The dark green and vibrant colors of these berries are flavonoid compounds that are beneficial for your baby's eyes, brain, and even urinary tract.
Kid Meal Ideas: Puree or puree blueberries and add a spoonful of the juicy purple puree to yogurt, or smooth coconut milk pudding with blueberry juice.
2.4. Broccoli This cruciferous vegetable is a great source of fiber, folate and calcium, which may even help prevent cancer. Parents, please let your baby get used to the rich flavor of broccoli soon. And you will probably expand your baby's palate and encourage her to love this green vegetable.
Baby Meal Ideas: Steam broccoli until tender, cut into small pieces that are safe for babies to eat, then chill. When serving, parents steam chilled broccoli, and some kids love the texture and flavor when it cools.
2.5. Lentils Beans and other legumes are one of the best sources of protein and fiber. But unlike large beans, small lentils cook into a paste just enough for babies to bite into. They are also one of the cheapest healthy foods you can include in your child's diet.
Kid Meal Ideas: Cook diced carrots with lentils. As your baby gets older, double up on nutrient-dense foods by stewing lentils and spinach.
2.6. Meat Iron deficiency is a possible risk factor for anemia. Therefore, meat is one of the foods that need to be supplemented for children when they start to eat supplements. Because, this is the food rich in iron for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends meat as a first food because it's an excellent source of protein, zinc, and iron, especially dark red meat and poultry. Additionally, infants absorb iron more easily from meat than from iron-fortified cereals, another common food.
Baby Meal Ideas: If your child is new to solid foods, try their own recipe for turkey or chicken puree. As kids get older, introduce new flavors with chicken curry with chickpeas and zucchini.
2.7. Prunes The next type of food is called "prunes". These humble fruits may sound unappealing, but they are soft, sweet, and full of fiber. Your baby may become constipated when transitioning to solid foods. Because it's a big change to your baby's system. Add pureed prunes to your child's diet to aid digestion and keep things moving.
Baby Meal Ideas: Serve prunes alone or mix with other foods, such as oatmeal, cereal or apple sauce, for a naturally sweet treat.
2.8. Sweet potatoes Sweet potatoes are one of the most popular first foods for babies. Many children tend to like both the sweetness and texture of sweet potatoes. These colorful root vegetables are packed with beta-carotene, vitamin C and minerals, including iron and copper.
Baby Meal Ideas: Use mashed sweet potatoes alone or mix in chicken or turkey puree.
2.9. Pumpkins Hardy pumpkins come in orange or yellow skin and they both offer many benefits to children. One of them is that they are especially rich in beta-carotene, which is recognized as being very good for the eyes. Pumpkin is also an excellent food source of vitamin C. The natural sweetness and creamy texture add to the appeal of the common winter berries.
Baby Meal Ideas: Roast a butternut squash, remove the flesh and puree for an easy first dish. As your baby gets older, introduce new flavors and textures with foods like smashed chickpeas and butter chili.
2.10. Yogurt Yogurt is a rich source of calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for healthy bones and teeth. Your baby can start eating yogurt at 4 to 6 months, and it may take longer before he's ready for cow's milk.
Parents should choose plain yogurt without added sugar. Also, look for a brand that's high in live probiotics, which will help regulate the good bacteria in your baby's digestive tract. Make sure you choose whole milk yogurt for babies that need calories from fat.
Meal ideas for kids: You can use yogurt on its own, or mix it with pureed berries or other fresh fruit, apple sauce or mashed avocado.
Parents need to know the right nutrition to help children absorb nutrition and develop best. Parents can change the rich menu for children to feel more appetizing.
For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
The period of baby eating solid foods is an extremely important period to help children develop comprehensively. Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiencies, causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption, etc. If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with supportive products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
Please regularly visit Vinmec.com website and update useful information to take care of your child. Take care of the baby and the whole family.
Reference source: babycenter.com