After your baby is around six months old, it's a good idea to introduce healthy, nutritious solid foods into their diet! Vegetables and fruits are some of the best sources of vitamins and minerals available. With that in mind, here's our guide to what we consider the best fruit and vegetables for your baby.
Best vegetables for babies
Carrots – Recommended by the Department of Health Australia as one of the first foods to introduce your baby to. Carrots are a great source of vitamins A, K and fibre to help with healthy digestion.
Pumpkin – Pumpkin is loaded with vitamin A to help eyesight and immunity.
Broccoli – A powerhouse when it comes to nutrients! Broccoli has vitamin C, beta-carotene, fibre, calcium, folic acid, iron and potassium.
Sweet potato – Sweet potato is a good vitamin C, beta-carotene, fibre and potassium source.
Spinach – Like all dark green leafy vegetables, spinach contains large amounts of iron and folate.
Beans – All varieties of beans are packed with fibre and protein. Excellent for growth and regular bowel motions.
TIP: If your baby is starting out on solids, puree the foods you try to help out with digestion and swallowing! Baby vegetable puree is also delicious!
Best fruit for babies
Apples are really easy for your baby to digest, and the soluble fibre they contain helps with constipation.
Pears are gentle on your baby's tummy and make excellent weaning food, as they're low in natural chemicals.
Bananas contain slow-releasing sugars and are great for sustained energy.
Apricots not only do apricots contain iron, potassium and beta-carotene, but they are also a good source of fibre.
Avocados are an excellent source of unsaturated fats, great for healthy brain development.
Blueberries are rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, which are suitable for your baby's eyes, brain and urinary tract, and have one of the highest antioxidant capacities of any fruit.
Peaches are easy for your baby to digest and are an excellent source of vitamin C.
Mandarins are a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants
Plums are a good source of vitamins A and C, and are high in fibre
References:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/childrens-diet-fruit-and-vegetables
https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/PDF/pomin/babys-first-foods-flipchart.pdf
The article was written by Bellamy's Organic.
Shae Rickards is Parents You've Got This Dietitian Expert from Bellamy's Organic and presents Starting Solids and Infant Sleep Masterclass.
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