You love your little ones. You want to feed your them with love—and wholesome, healthy foods. How do you interest your children in a broad range of colorful, antioxidant-rich foods that will set them up for a lifetime of healthy eating—And, still do it simply, quickly, and easily? Our simple favorites for babies, toddlers, and children—
babies beginning solid foods We introduced our beginning eaters to naturally soft foods. Our favorites—ripe avocado, bananas, soft pears, and very ripe, soft, plums, peaches, and nectarines. These were simple to scoop from the fruit with Baby's spoon—nature's homemade baby food without any mixing, blending or straining. These choices were grab-and-go favorites to take along too. Easy. Simple. Healthy.
One of my well-used tools soon after our babies began solids, was our baby food mill. Whatever we were eating went into this small blender to be made into a quick meal for Baby. So, Baby eats the wholesome variety of flavors the family eats by adding just enough water to puree to smoothness.
Many think baby cereal and jarred foods are the only options for baby feeding. But, unless you are searching out the not-as-common whole grain baby cereal options, you are not feeding your baby the whole grains recommended to nourish ourselves by. Oatmeal, rice, quinoa (a soft, fluffy, quick-cooking grain was one of our little one's favorites) and other whole grains can be made quickly and easily for the family and shared with Baby—no instant, processed, baby-marketed products necessary.
self feeders When Baby begins picking up her own bits of food and wielding a spoon; try soft, sliced fruits like mango, papaya. Introduce berries. Gently steam broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, and asparagus. Grilling? Add peaches to the heat for soft, grilled peaches. Make simple cinnamon baked apples. Cut kiwi into chunks or slices. Use greek yogurt for fruit dips, and natural dressings for vegetable dips. Opt for whole grain pasta instead of white. Share your family's mashed potatoes with baby too. Want some fun, healthy toddler food ideas? Make our all-fruit popsicles and our strawberries and cream popsicles.
Do not shun the freezer aisle. Studies have shown frozen fruits and vegetables, frozen at their peak freshness, often have more vitamins than not-so-fresh produce in the fresh section. And, anyone who has sliced a mango into chunks will appreciate a bag of already-sliced mango.
children Make food fun. If you have laid the foundation for an adventurous eater, now is the time to continue broadening your child's palette and to include them in food preparation. Simple, healthy kids' recipes like whole grain graham crackers are fun snacks for children to help make. Bring your children to farmers markets and let them choose vegetables they have never tried before. Plant your own small garden or pot of herbs with your child. Stay out of the all-brown food rut many parents slide into—chicken nuggets, bread, french fries, pasta and cereal. Instead, introduce new foods often—like fun-to-try dragon fruit, starfruit, and foods from other countries and regions. Be bold—sushi, gyros, dahl, tamales—introduce a festive array of flavors to your young child's palette. You never know which may become their favorite. Our toddler's first foray into Japanese food was a gift to her. Her favorite food is still sushi. She has learned to roll her own sushi rolls and has been emboldened to try all the varieties of sushi she happens upon—topped with raw fish, fish eggs...not a picky eater's palette.
keep it simple. set an example. Feeding children healthy snacks can be as easy as having a variety of fresh fruits on hand. Most important? Show by example. Beginning eaters are the most eager to try what you are eating. Their eyes light up and they reach for what you eat—So, what is in your own grasp? This is a good time for you to beginning grabbing from the fruit bowl too.
our wholesome recipes for healthy goodness find these recipes, and more wholesome food for children and families, on our make + nourishment Pinterest board. You are welcome to follow what we share there and on all of our pinboards filled with inspiration for families. above all fruit popsicles • whole grain apple cinnamon pancakes • strawberries and cream popsicles • natural homemade gelatin • pure maple caramel corn and other maple recipes • dark cherry oatmeal
healthy recipes books for babies and children
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©heather cahoon • wordplayhouse®
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