Who hasn’t heard of super foods?

If you’ve been sleeping in the back of the class, they’re natural foods, high in nutrients and antioxidants to help keep the body healthy. Once your baby has started on solids, a number of them can easily be incorporated into the diet, with all the attendant benefits. However, don’t become too fixated on one nutrient for your baby – they need a varied diet of healthy foods like dairy, wholegrains, fruit, vegetables, meat and fish.

• Avocados
Suitable for babies of all ages and their creamy texture and soft taste make them ideal as a first food. Rich in vitamins and minerals, avocados have a similar fat composition to breast milk and they’re one of the only fruits to contain monounsaturated fat, essential for baby development.

• Berries
Fruit is essential for a baby and, whether fresh or frozen, berries are very high in antioxidants, especially blueberries. Remember, antioxidants help build the immune system, which is important for a baby. Just puree them and mix with a little mashed ripe banana and/or yoghurt.

• Broccoli
A great vegetable, packed with essential vitamins, such as vitamin C and folate. A word of warning: it’s high in fibre so watch for wind. And some babies may find the taste too strong, so it’s best to mix it with something sweet or starchy such as carrot or potato.

• Cinnamon
Many babies love the taste, especially with stewed fruits, porridge, puddings or custard. It makes a great alternative to sugar, which is not something that babies need.

• Meat
Lean red meat is full of essential nutrients like iron, zinc, B vitamins and protein, all of which are all important for growth and development. After six months, pureed lean meat can be introduced – it has more absorbable iron than any other food. Iron is essential for healthy blood and it helps us to concentrate and learn.

• Oats
Wholegrain oats are high in fibre, low in sodium and GI, as well as packed with eight vitamins essential for the nervous system. Add to fresh or stewed fruit.

• Salmon
For babies, this fish is brain and eye food, high in omega 3s and containing EPA and DHA, essential for brain and nervous system development and eyesight. High in protein, high in minerals, low in saturated fat, salmon acts as an anti-inflammatory.

• Yoghurt
Full fat natural yoghurt is the best for babies. It’s high in calcium – great for healthy teeth and strong bones. It’s also a good source of fat, high in fat soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K and crammed with good bacteria to aid your baby’s digestive and immune systems.

Article courtesy of Mother, Baby & Child Magazine