First Time Parents Guide on Vegetables and Fruits for Baby

The doctor will probably recommend beginning strained vegetables and fruits shortly after your baby is started on cereal and or meat. This is likely to be within the baby's second or third month, the introduction of individual varieties being interspersed with that of new varieties of cereal and meat.

The chief contribution of vegetables and fruits is a variety of vitamins and minerals. However, individual items might vary greatly in which and how much of each nutrient they provide. In general, green and yellow vegetables and yellow fruits have high vitamin A values. Most fruits and vegetables contain some vitamin C but citrus fruits are the best contributors of this vitamin. Green vegetables supply appreciable iron. Used in wide variety, vegetables and fruits are among the best sources of trace minerals.

Serving your baby many kinds of vegetables and fruits helps build good food habits. They provide a wide variety of taste experiences when food acceptances are most easily established. This is especially beneficial in later life when parents no longer control a person's diet. Back in 1933, when "baby foods" were new, Dr. Manuel Glazier of Boston reported on a study made on 231 babies to determine what happened when strained vegetables and fruits were fed as early as one month of age. Even young babies digested the strained foods easily. Dr. Glazier concluded,". . . that the study showed the group fed solids early in infancy had better nutrition and better food and bowel habits and fewer food dislikes than the group fed solids in later infancy." The past thirty years have substantiated his findings.

Its a good idea to start with the plain strained vegetables and fruits before introducing those that are mixtures. And, as suggested under cereals, each new product should be tried three or four days, as the only new food, before moving on to another.

No less than two different servings of strained vegetables per day, at least one of them "green or yellow"is a good dietary pattern. in addition, you will want to include at least one, but probably more, strained fruits per day. A word of caution: perhaps you'll discover, as many parents have, that your baby accepts fruits more readily than vegetables. Be careful not to let this result in an overuse of fruits to the exclusion of vegetables which generally have higher nutritive values. In such cases it might be better to serve the vegetables first, while the baby is hungry, withholding the fruit until later.

First Time Parents Guide on Meats for Babies

At one time, meats were almost the last foods included in the baby's diet. Even then, the high nutritive values and digestibility of lean meats were recognized. It was simply too much trouble and often too expensive to prepare them in proper form at home. Today, many doctors suggest that strained meats be started at about the same early age as cereals. Some even prefer that it be the first solid food. Check with your baby's doctor before starting meats.

Meats supply many nutrients important to babies and young children. Foremost at their complete, high quality protein which are used n the growth and maintenance of every body cell. Proteins are also constituents of many body regulators and are apparently related to the body's defenses against infections.

Meats provide a variety of minerals. They are among the best sources of iron and phosphorous, constituents of all body tissues. Liver is especially high in iron. The early feeding of meats has been shown to promote hemoglobin and red blood cell formation in babies."Trace minerals," needed in tiny amounts but so important to many body functions, occur in wide variety in meats.

Meats also supply essential vitamins. Al are excellent sources of niacin and supply some riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and thiamine. Pork is especially high in thiamine, heart is a good source of riboflavin and liver is one of the richest sources of vitamin A.

The plain strained meats are the best starting meats.By using them, you quickly learn which individual meats agree with your baby. Also, while a baby's capacity for strained foods is small, plain meats provide more nourishment per spoonful. 

Strained meats are more concentrated in food values than the strained vegetables and fruits. Therefore they should be introduced with some caution.At first, feed only one or two spoonfuls, diluting it well with formula or other liquid. Over a few days, reduce the liquid until straight meat is being served. 

Baby Tips for New Parents: Cereals – First Solid Foods

Cereals are the most frequently prescribed first solid foods. Cereals are designed to meet the special needs of young infants. They are bland and palatable. Thoroughly precooked and low in crude fiber, they are readily digested.They have a creamy texture and consistency when stirred into milk, formula or other liquid.

Babies have high iron requirements. Milk supplies very little. As usually used, strained foods contribute some but not enough. That's why iron-enriched dry baby cereals have been widely available and prescribed for over forty years. One-half ounce (six tablespoons) of any cereal meets an infant's full daily recommended dietary allowance for iron.

As further aids to your baby's well being, important B-vitamins (thiamine, niacin and riboflavin), calcium and phosphorous are added to cereals. Cereals are good sources of calories and most supply at least moderate amounts of proteins.

Of all baby foods, the iron and vitamin enriched cereals can meet special infant needs for the longest time.They are protective against iron-deficiency anemia throughout the first and even second year.

You will find cereals just as convenient and economical as they are nourishing. They mix with liquids instantly, requiring no cooking or straining. The smallest portion can be prepared without waste of cereal, fuel or time.

In addition to directing when cereal or other solid food is started, the doctor may be quite specific about which one to give first. Definite directions should be followed closely.

Mix the chosen first cereal according to directions on the package. It forms a creamy smooth mixture faster if you stir the cereal into the liquid - not vice versa.

If all goes well, repeat this same food three or four consecutive days before starting on a new one. This is a wise procedure when introducing every new food. Most foods agree with most babies. But if one doesn't, it's easier to spot the offender if it is the only new food given during a few days.

List of Affordable Nutritious Foods to buy on the Grocery

It's nice to know which groceries deliver the most nutrition for the least cash. Here are list that you must consider when your to buy foods in the grocery.

• Bananas. This fruit is a good source of potassium and fiber.

• Beans. They're full of protein, fiber and B vitamins, which help convert food into energy.

• Broccoli. A cup has as much vitamin C as an orange.

• Carrots. A serving has more than a day's worth of vitamin A.

• Citrus Juices. They're a concentrated source of vitamin C and potassium.

• Eggs. They're packed with protein and choline, which helps the brain.

• Cold Cereal. Every fortified bowl includes must haves like iron, folic acid and calcium.

• Milk. A glass contains a big dose of calcium, protein and vitamin D.

• Oranges. Just one has an entire day's worth of vitamin C.

• White Potatoes. They're high in carbs to boost energy and also offer vitamin C.