What kind of complementary food should a one year and three month old baby eat?
Nutrition is the basis for infant growth, especially during the period when the baby is being fed complementary foods. When your baby is one year and three months old, he has already begun to try a variety of foods. In order to provide a variety of foods, the following are the complementary food recipes recommended by nutritionists for babies one year and three months old.
1. Crushed roasted, steamed or cooked nuts
Nuts are a balanced, economical and convenient food for babies. They not only contain important nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, but also contain healthy fatty acids, antioxidants and polyphenols, which are beneficial to improving immunity and controlling blood sugar and cholesterol. We recommend that parents add nuts to the second or third meal of the day.
Understand the safety of nuts
To ensure safety, please note the following: (1) If your baby is allergic to any food or cannot chew it, stop feeding; (2) Choose original, additive-free, and unprocessed nuts; (3) Roast, steam or boil them appropriately ; (4) Control the number of nuts every day.
Types and cooking methods of nuts
Nuts that babies can eat include: walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, almonds, cashews, etc. Roasting, steaming or cooking makes nuts easier to chew and digest. Nuts can be ground into nut butter or used with your baby\’s favorite foods.
Notes
Be cautious when feeding your baby nuts, as excessive amounts may cause allergies and gastrointestinal problems. It is recommended to give your baby a small amount of nuts and observe your baby\’s reaction.
2. Fruit and vegetable puree
Fruit and vegetable purees are ideal complementary foods for babies aged one year and three months. At this age, babies begin to have more experience with texture and chewing abilities. Fruit and vegetable purees can provide a variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that your baby needs.
Pair it with a variety of fruits and vegetables
In order to provide more nutrients, we recommend giving your baby a variety of fruit and vegetable purees. For example, you can use a cell crusher to mix lemons, tomatoes, carrots, etc., or mix bananas, strawberries, blueberries, etc. Different ingredients will produce different tastes, and your baby may have a preference for some flavors.
Try a variety of cooking methods
You can also try a variety of cooking methods when making baby fruit and vegetable purees. For example, cut fruits and vegetables into small pieces and bake them to intensify their flavor; or steam them until they are tender, making them easier to digest.
Notes
When pureeing fruits and vegetables, make sure to remove all peels, seeds, stems, and cores. Also, do not add honey or other sweeteners to the puree.
3. Grilled vegetable sticks
Batch of grilled vegetable sticks are a healthy snack for babies. Not only are they rich in vitamins and minerals, they are also great for your baby’s digestive health as they grow.
Choose appropriate vegetables
It is recommended to choose vegetables rich in fiber and vitamins, such as red peppers, carrots, cucumbers, green peppers, etc. These vegetables are more conducive to the healthy growth of your baby.
Easy way to bake
Cut the vegetables into strips of appropriate size, place them on a baking sheet, spray the surface with olive oil, and sprinkle with crushed black pepper or other seasonings, then roast them in the oven over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the vegetables The strips are golden yellow.
Notes
It is recommended to cut vegetables into small pieces so that your baby can chew them. And please pay attention to control the time in the oven to avoid over-roasting the vegetable strips, which will affect the taste and nutrition.
4. Chicken or meatloaf
High-protein chicken or meatloaf can provide necessary nutrients for babies aged one year and three months. Not only do they contain the protein and minerals your baby needs for growth, they are also rich in natural choline, which can improve your baby\’s cognitive and thinking abilities.
Make preparations before meals
Before making chicken or meatloaf, make sure your handling equipment is clean and all fat and bones are removed. Cut into fine pieces or use a meat press to crush.
Trying various cooking methods
Chicken or meatloaf can be cooked in a variety of ways. You can try many methods such as boiling, steaming, roasting, and stir-frying. It is recommended to cook it first, then crush it into a puree, or cut it into small pieces to make it easy to chew.
Notes
When making baby chicken or meatloaf, avoid any condiments or seasonings and simply season with salt to ensure the purest flavor. In addition, give your baby an appropriate amount of chicken or meatloaf every day. Excessive dosage will affect your baby\’s health.
Conclusion
Babies aged one year and three months have entered the stage of complementary feeding. Parents need to pay attention to the balance and diversity of reasonable nutrition to ensure the normal and healthy growth of the baby. When adding new foods, you should observe your baby\’s appetite, mental and health conditions to determine whether he or she is adaptable to a certain food. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to the safety and suitability of food to provide a balanced, moderate and safe diet for the healthy growth of the baby.
