VEGETABLES FOR TODDLERS AT STARTING AGE OF 6TH MONTH

                                                                                                                   (image source Wikipedia)

 When a baby comes at the age of 6th month he is ready with his digestive system and also can sit erect with holding his head and neck properly. Always start with a single food. Either fruits or vegetables or grain. Avoid mixture of all foods. You can start with mashed fruits as I mentioned in my previous article. The presence of digestive enzymes in fruits helps baby to digest them better.

 After a week or two you can start vegetables along with fruits. It is very    important to feed your baby lots of vegetables for nutrition’s and getting them used to all flovours.In starting you may face some problems by feeding different foods and you need to see to the food allergies if your babies have any. There are many ways to introduce vegetables but choose something which tastes good so that babies accept it fast. It’s very exciting time for babies when they get to experience their first tastes of solid foods. There are some good vegetables that baby will surely enjoy eating. Also consult your babies’ child specialist before starting fruits and vegetables.

1.SWEET POTATOES

 One of the best first vegetables to start with is sweet potatoes. As it’s soft and easy to mash and also sweet in taste. They have very high amount of beta carotene and vitamin C which helps babies’ immune system to become strong. Sweet potatoes are full of fibers which helps babies digestion become strong and easy. And as the taste of it is very sweet baby will easily accept it. You can either just boil and mash and feed your baby or can make sabji as normal subji with ghee and feed the baby with rice also.

              2.   CARROTS:

           

              Carrots are other famous first vegetables among new eaters. It’s because carrots also has sweet taste. Carrots are full of vitamins A, B, C and calcium to help make their bones stronger. It also contains potassium. Carrots are good for babies’ eyesight as they are developing all organs. Carrots also make immune system strong. You can either just boil and mash and feed your child, or can make subji with some ghee. Adding carrot in tomatoes soup is also a good option.

            3.   CAULIFLOWER:

Cauliflower is high in vitamin C and K. Steamed or boiled and mashed cauliflower can be feed to babies. Baby will love this taste of boiled cauliflower. Best part is to steam it and feed your baby to retain most of the vitamins.

             4.   GREEN BEANS:

When you feel that your baby is ready to move forward to green vegetables, green beans are good place to start. Green beans can be cooked and make puree and can be mixed with some boiled and mashed rice. Green beans are full of vitamins A and K to help in develop strong immune system of your baby. Make these green beans the first green food to help baby to get used to the taste of green vegetables.

              5.   SPINACH:

Spinach is an amazing source of calcium. Just 1 cup of cooked spinach gives your baby 42 mg of calcium. It also contains vitamins A, and iron. Spinach is truly a wonderful leafy green that packs lot of nutrients. Introducing spinach to babies at the age of 7^th to 8^th month is recommended by doctors. Introducing spinach to babies at 7^th or 8^th month should be homemade and nicely cooked and mashed. You can also add spinach in tomatoes soup, And can feed your baby.

             6.   TOMATOES:

Tomatoes include vitamin A and good source of antioxidants. It also contains vitamins C. It helps in building strong bones, and strengthens immune system. Its right age to introduce to babies is from 8^th month and above. You can make tomatoes soup which babies love the taste.

             7.   BOTTLE GOURD:

Bottle gourd is perhaps one of the first vegetables that can be introduced to babies’ diet. It is easily digestible vegetables. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals which are very important for your babies’ growth. It also protects liver of your baby from starting age if you introduce this vegetable. You can either boil and mash and feed your child or make juice of it and also give your baby. Regular subji can also made and feed the baby. Also you can add bottle gourd in tomatoes soup and babies will surly like it.

You can make a soup mixing tomatoes, carrot, spinach, bottle gourd. Just boil it and blend it and strain it and give add some salt and jaggery for taste and feed your baby. It has all vitamins and minerals and is very nutritious for growing babies.