5 Things You Need To Know When Introducing Vegetables To Your Baby - By Mama Made
Here are some simple, good to know facts on first foods and how to make vegetables a more enjoyable weaning experience for your baby.
We know all too well how stressful things can get when your little one dislikes the texture, flavour or even look of a vegetable. Don’t worry it’s totally normal and you aren’t alone, a baby will usually try their first foods 15-20 times before they decide to gobble it up. The key here is to be patient, don’t worry too much on how your baby is eating. Here are some simple, good to know facts on first foods and how to make vegetables a more enjoyable experience for your baby.
It’s a no brainer why babies (and adults) prefer fruits, they are way sweeter than our nutritious dark leafy friends kale, spinach and broccoli. However, we have found a loop-hole there are indeed vegetables out there with a sweeter flavour and packed with vitamins which are key in your baby’s development.
Start by introducing sweet-mild flavoured vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato or a first food favourite, the avocado.
According to many studies, it’s a great idea to introduce your baby to vegetables right from the beginning. Exposing your baby to the taste, texture, and smell of veggies once a day will help familiarise your baby to the taste of veggies.
Remember, it’s important to be patient and go with what your baby is telling you, but slowly you can start increasing their intake of vegetables.
If your baby still prefers fruits as opposed to veg, then don’t be afraid to mix ingredients in order to make vegetables more palatable. One way of doing this is combining veg and fruit combinations. At Mamamade, this is our speciality, we create unique flavour combinations fruit and vegetables and sometimes spices to ensure your baby gets the perfect balance of nutrients and flavour profiles.
An example of one of our most popular fruit and veg baby meals would be our tropical mango, carrot and turmeric packed with antioxidants and healthy fats.
A key role as a parent, this is also a very exciting part of your baby’s weaning journey! By feeding your baby a wide variety of fresh vegetables this will help your little one develop a broader diet. Research from the British Journal of Nutrition showed infants who were repeatedly offered a variety of vegetables during the first 15 days of weaning were more willing to try, accept and like new vegetables.
As a parent you have a lot on your plate! It is important to make sure you are giving your body some TLC. A couple carrots with your dinner or some celery and peanut butter as a snack, try and integrate some green into your diet - if you can!
We know all too well how stressful things can get when your little one dislikes the texture, flavour or even look of a vegetable. Don’t worry it’s totally normal and you aren’t alone, a baby will usually try their first foods 15-20 times before they decide to gobble it up. The key here is to be patient, don’t worry too much on how your baby is eating. Here are some simple, good to know facts on first foods and how to make vegetables a more enjoyable experience for your baby.
1. Veggies can be sweet!
It’s a no brainer why babies (and adults) prefer fruits, they are way sweeter than our nutritious dark leafy friends kale, spinach and broccoli. However, we have found a loop-hole there are indeed vegetables out there with a sweeter flavour and packed with vitamins which are key in your baby’s development.
Start by introducing sweet-mild flavoured vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato or a first food favourite, the avocado.
2. Avoid the picky eating stage early on
According to many studies, it’s a great idea to introduce your baby to vegetables right from the beginning. Exposing your baby to the taste, texture, and smell of veggies once a day will help familiarise your baby to the taste of veggies.
Remember, it’s important to be patient and go with what your baby is telling you, but slowly you can start increasing their intake of vegetables.
3. Don’t be afraid to mix flavours!
If your baby still prefers fruits as opposed to veg, then don’t be afraid to mix ingredients in order to make vegetables more palatable. One way of doing this is combining veg and fruit combinations. At Mamamade, this is our speciality, we create unique flavour combinations fruit and vegetables and sometimes spices to ensure your baby gets the perfect balance of nutrients and flavour profiles.
An example of one of our most popular fruit and veg baby meals would be our tropical mango, carrot and turmeric packed with antioxidants and healthy fats.
4. Influence your baby’s future eating habits
A key role as a parent, this is also a very exciting part of your baby’s weaning journey! By feeding your baby a wide variety of fresh vegetables this will help your little one develop a broader diet. Research from the British Journal of Nutrition showed infants who were repeatedly offered a variety of vegetables during the first 15 days of weaning were more willing to try, accept and like new vegetables.
5. Parents need vegetables too
As a parent you have a lot on your plate! It is important to make sure you are giving your body some TLC. A couple carrots with your dinner or some celery and peanut butter as a snack, try and integrate some green into your diet - if you can!
