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Q:
My baby hates porridge, what healthy foods can I try for him?
A:
7-10 months is all about introducing your baby to new textures and flavours. For example, fruits and vegetables can be mashed rather than pureed. Try a banana and avocado mashed up for brekkie. You can even add some coconut oil (extra virgin and it has to be raw), he will love it! (Millbrook is a good brand – we stock it.)
Now is also the time to introduce foods such as tiny pasta shapes, which will encourage chewing. Your baby may also begin to enjoy finger foods such as sticks of organic carrot or celery, fingers of toast (wheat-free for now) or organic baby bread sticks.
You should try and establish an eating pattern for your baby now and offer milk as an after-meal drink only. This is particularly important at breakfast time. Giving food first not only encourages good eating habits, but after a night’s sleep may form the largest meal. As your baby gets older he will reduce his own milk intake as his food intake increases. Your baby may not be hungry in the morning (breakfast time) if he drinks three bottles at night.
Your baby’s palette also changes every three days. Don’t give up on porridge as he may hate it today and love it tomorrow. Here are some recipes for inspiration:
Apple and Banana Breakfast
¾ tbsp oats
75ml water
1 small eating apple, peeled and finely chopped
½ small banana, mashed
½ tsp chopped sultanas
Put the oats, water, apple and banana in a small pan and stir to mix. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 5-10minutes.
Puree by pushing through a sieve.
Add the sultanas, then set aside until cool and sultanas are plump and soft.
Banana and Mango Coulis
75ml water
1 tbsp ground rice
½ juicy ripe mango
1 small banana
Bring the water to the boil in a small pan. Add the rice, cover and simmer very gently for about 5 mins, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool to just above room temperature.
Puree the mango and half of the banana.
Combine the puree with the rice and serve with the remaining banana pieces.
We are doing a Free talk and Food demo on Baby’s First Food and Toddler Nutrition on Thursday 5 March at 10h00 here at Fresh Earth Food Store. Please subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information.
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