Baby

9 superfoods to feed baby when starting solids

30 Sep 2020

Starting your baby on solids can be daunting for parents – are they ready? Will they get enough nutrients? How much food do they really need? The good news is that it doesn’t need to be stressful.

To help you out, here’s a list of superfoods that are perfect to feed your baby when starting solids.

Sponsored by SunRice

1. Avocado

Avocado has hit peak popularity over the last few years for a good reason: it contains magnesium, potassium and essential fatty acids for brain health, making it great for your baby. Mash it up with apple juice or serve in small pieces – your baby will love it.

2. Baby cereal basics

Cereal is usually the first food a baby eats – it’s easy to digest, and many baby cereals contain iron. SunRice Baby Rice Cereal is an excellent choice for parents looking for that first solid to feed baby. Not only is it fortified with iron, but the rice is grown in the Riverina region of Australia, so parents know exactly where their baby’s food has come from.

Parents in the Tell Me Baby community say SunRice Baby Rice Cereal is “a hit”.

“SunRice Baby Rice Cereal was a hit with my baby,” wrote one parent. “The cereal is made in Australia from Australian rice. The packaging is also really cute! It was easy to mix and created a really smooth, easily digestible paste.”

Another said: “My son has just started solids at 5 months. He absolutely loved this rice cereal. It is the perfect first food.”

“When I served this to him he was quite receptive and wanted more which is a really positive sign. The cereal is very easy to prepare. It’s very easy to mix with other purees as well,” another reviewer wrote.

3. Blueberries

Blueberries are great antioxidants, not to mention that giving your baby berries as a finger food also helps them develop fine motor skills. (Similar to grapes, chop blueberries in half until your baby can chew foods safely.) Serve them fresh or add to yoghurt.

4. Chia seeds

Babies can enjoy the goodness of chia seeds from around six to eight months old. They’re packed full of fibre, omega-3, protein and antioxidants. Never serve chia seeds dry; soak them in milk first and turn into a pudding.

5. Salmon

Omega-3 is essential for brain development, and salmon is an excellent source. Once your baby is ready for solids, salmon can be introduced: flake some through a mash, serve in bite-size chunks or make salmon nuggets.

6. Natural yoghurt

Natural yoghurt is full of nutrients your baby needs for bone strength, such as calcium and phosphorus. Natural yoghurt also contains probiotics (beneficial gut bacteria), and it’s gentler on the stomach than cow’s milk. Just make sure the brand you choose is low in sugar.

7. Red meat

Red meat is the easiest way to refill your baby’s depleted iron stores. It also contains zinc, which is needed to help cell growth and their developing immune system. Your baby can start eating meat from around six months of age – just cut it into small chunks they can swallow without choking, or mash and serve alongside soft vegetables.

8. Sweet potato

Another delicious superfood your baby will enjoy eating (and probably playing with), sweet potato is a good source of fibre, and it’s high in vitamin A, C and potassium. Sweet potatoes can be served in small soft chopped cubes, or they are perfect served mashed.

9. Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein for babies and can be eaten at around six months of age (just make sure you follow guidelines to do it safely, in case of any allergies). The best part is they can be whipped up in minutes. You can either hard boil eggs and then mash them before serving, or go for a classic scrambled egg. Yum!