Veggies for baby

Studies have shown that babies who eat a wide variety of vegetables during the first year of life go onto eat more vegetables than those that don’t. Sweet-tasting vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes might be more accepted than bitter-tasting vegetables but that’s OK.

We love vegetables! With their bright colors and great taste, they are a fun way to get kids excited about eating. Studies have shown that babies who eat a wide variety of vegetables during the first year of life go onto eat more vegetables than those that don’t. Sweet-tasting vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes might be more accepted than bitter-tasting ones but that’s OK.

Our vege for baby finger food range is perfect for introducing babies to a wide variety of vegetables at a young age. The sweet-tasting vegetables might be more easily accepted than bitter-tasting vegetables but that doesn’t matter. If you start when they’re little, the more of it they try, the better!

Veggies for baby is packed with the best tasting and most nutritious vegetables for your little one. With sweet potatoes, carrots and more, your baby will learn to love all kinds of tastes, including veggies!

Veggies for baby is a part of the total diet your baby needs in order to grow and develop. This mix of sweet and savory vegetables provides a well-balanced diet of nutrients. Vegetables support your child’s immunity, health, and well-being.

Introducing your baby to the taste of vegetables is an important first step in encouraging healthy eating habits. These vege-morsels are your little one’s first introduction to these nutritious, whole foods and can help them develop a taste for vegetable varieties they will continue to enjoy as they grow up.

Vegetables for Babies 4 6 Months

I’m excited to share a guest post today from two fellow Registered Dietitians. Read on for 5 tips to encourage your infant to eat vegetables, and great ways to serve vegetables to babies.

I can’t wait to try that recipe out on Riese – and tip #3 below, too!

If you’re interested in learning more about baby led weaning, or looking for recipes or ways to encourage infants to eat more vegetables and plant-based foods, this post is for you!

Please note there are affiliate links in this post.

How to Encourage Babies to Eat More Vegetables

guest post by Whitney English Tabaie MS, RDN and Alexandra Caspero MA, RDN, Creators of Plant-Based Juniors

As new parents, we were only vaguely aware of the term “baby-led weaning” before we were thrusted into the new-mom community and saw many of our friends doing it.

Isn’t that the funny thing about becoming a parent?

Suddenly, the things you never knew you cared about become all you think about. AM feedings quickly become optimal research times, scrolling on our phone in the dark looking for answers to the day’s questions.

(Related: check out my post about the best natural and organic personal care products to use for babies and toddlers, plus other Products I Recommend for New Babies + Expectant Mamas)

Baby-Led Weaning

If you’re not sure what baby-led weaning means, let us explain.

It’s essentially the concept of giving babies solid food right from the start–without the use of spoon-feeding purees. 

However, the term “weaning” can often be confusing. We aren’t weaning them off breast milk or formula as you’ll still want to offer that until at least the first birthday. Instead, it refers to gently weaning baby on to solid foods, allowing him time to explore various flavors and textures.

In our new ebook, Plant-Based Juniors: First Bites, we outline everything you need to know about baby-led weaning, from how to start, troubleshooting, nutrition, meal prep, a grocery list and more. We also include 20 delicious plant-based, baby-led weaning recipes. (Interested? Use code ‘pbjpartner’ for 10% off your own copy.)

While there are a few advantages of offering solids right from the start, we think the biggest plus is increased acceptance of more interesting and varied flavors and textures since babies get to experience food in its natural state.

Think of your baby’s palate like a blank canvas, easily shaped by each new taste and experience. As dietitians and parents, we’re focused on shaping that palate to enjoy all foods, especially nutrient-rich foods like vegetables.

Therefore, whatever approach to feeding you take, we recommend adding vegetables at almost every meal.

Studies have shown that babies who eat a wide variety of vegetables during the first year of life go onto eat more vegetables than those that don’t. Sweet-tasting vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes might be more accepted than bitter-tasting vegetables but that’s OK.

Continuing to offer vegetables in different ways helps improve acceptability.

Want more ideas?

Tips to get babies to eat more vegetables

1. Vary your own diet

Breastfeeding? Then your diet may be just as important as baby’s!

According to recent studies, babies are more likely to enjoy the foods their moms ate while breastfeeding over new foods they were never exposed to. If you are nursing, here’s one more reason to pile on the vegetables.

2. Add spice to vegetables

Yes, babies like flavor!

We don’t know where the idea of bland baby food came from, but it likely wasn’t from a baby! Season baby’s food the same way you would yours.

All seasonings are on the table, except for salt, sugar and anything too spicy. Experimenting with different spice blends is a great way to expose your baby to new flavors.

3. Make superfood baby popsicles with vegetables

We consider popsicles to be the perfect place for leftover smoothies and green juices – throw them into a popsicle mold, freeze and you’re done!

Since whole leafy greens can be a choking hazard for young infants, serving them blended in popsicle form is a great solution!

There’s a full recipe in the e-book, but we like to make superfood popsicles with spinach or kale, fruit, and breast milk or formula. A bonus point is that popsicles are a nice treat for teething babes!

More popsicle ideas: Watermelon Rosemary Popsicles (leave out the honey for babies under 1) and Nectarine Ice Pops (leave out the maple syrup, babies don’t need the extra sugar). 

4. Offer your baby vegetables often

The key to acceptability?

Making vegetables part of the everyday routine.

This is true for kids of all ages, the more they are exposed to veggies; the more they are willing to try them.

We like to offer a vegetable in some form at every meal; it doesn’t need to be fancy – even steamed broccoli or finely chopped spinach in scrambled eggs works!

5. Try serving veggies in a di

We all know that kids love dips!

If your baby is less than a year old, dollop the vegetable dip onto steamed vegetable fingers or spread a thin layer on toast or simply put a dollop on a baby spoon and let them grab it themselves.

For older kids, offer the dip alongside items you know they will eat. For infants, omit any salt in recipes completely as their growing kidneys don’t need it. For older kids and adults, add salt to taste.

Here are a couple dip recipes to try with your kids: Savory Pumpkin Bean Dip + Avocado White Bean Hummus with Lemon.

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Want more baby led weaning friendly recipes? Be sure to check out the e-book First Bites! In addition to helpful info about starting your baby on solids, it’s packed with 20 delicious plant-based recipes that can be used for baby-led weaning and beyond the first year. Use code ‘pbjpartner’ for 10% off.

Vegetable Recipes for Babies

Babies don’t eat much because of their tiny tummies, so it’s important that their diets contain plenty of nutrients. Check out this guide to age-appropriate power foods that pack a big nutritional punch.

When Can Baby Eat Superfoods?

In general, the items in this superfood list are appropriate for babies 6 months and older, when prepared according to your infant’s eating skills. Certain items—such as meat, fruit, and vegetable purees—may be gradually introduced earlier than 6 months if your baby is ready for them. Just remember that solid foods of any kind should not be introduced before 4 months of age. Ask your pediatrician if you’re not sure when to introduce certain foods or which foods are best for your baby.

 Baby’s First Foods: How to Introduce Solids

From the age of 1, solid food will replace much of the milk in your baby’s diet. Try introducing a wider variety of foods, presented in an appealing way, and encourage your baby to feed himself.

Best Superfoods for Babies and Toddlers

These 18 items provide your little one with essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. Incorporate them into her diet for optimal health benefits.

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Bananas

Bananas are full of carbohydrates for sustained energy, as well as fiber to support a healthy digestive tract. They’re a perfectly portable baby food, as they come in their own easy-to-peel packaging. When serving bananas to young kids, make sure they are ripe and thoroughly mashed. Older babies can eat chopped bananas as finger food.

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Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes provide potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and beta-carotene—an antioxidant that prevents certain types of cancer and mops up free radicals. Most babies prefer sweet potatoes over other vegetables because of their naturally sweet taste. When cooked and mashed, sweet potatoes make a smooth puree that’s easy to eat, even for babies who are just starting the to transition to solid foods.

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Avocados

Avocados have the highest protein content of any fruit, and they’re rich in monounsaturated fat—the “good” type of fat that helps prevent heart disease. Make sure you only serve Baby ripe avocados. Wash the outside, then remove the peel and mash well.

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Eggs

Egg whites provide protein, while the yolks contain zinc and vitamins A, D, E, and B12. The yolk also has choline, which research shows is crucial for brain development. Traditionally, pediatricians have advised parents to not serve eggs—especially egg whites—until after the first year because of the potential for allergic reactions. But that advice has changed, and some experts believe that eggs should be delayed only in families that have a history of allergies. Ask your doctor for more information.

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Carrots

Carrots have large amounts of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that gives them their orange color. Beta-carotene converts into vitamin A and plays a role in growth and healthy vision. Cooking carrots brings out their natural sweetness, which makes them appealing to babies, who are born with a preference for sweet flavors. When making carrots for your little one, make sure they are cooked until very soft. Then puree them or serve well-cooked diced carrots

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Yogurt

Yogurt gives your baby calcium, protein, and phosphorus, which are important for healthy bones and teeth. It also has probiotics, a type of good bacteria that aids digestion and supports the immune system. Babies need fat in their diets, so choose whole-milk yogurt over low-fat or fat-free varieties. Also avoid flavored yogurts, which are high in sugar.

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Cheese

Not only does cheese contain protein, it also boasts calcium and healthy dose of riboflavin (vitamin B2), which helps convert protein, fat, and carbohydrates into energy. Swiss cheese in particular has a slightly sweet taste that appeals to babies. Since cheese can be a choking hazard, cut it into small diced pieces.

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Baby Cereal

Iron-fortified infant cereals give your baby the iron she needs for proper growth and development. Babies are born with a supply of iron, but it starts to run out around 5-6 months. If your baby is just starting to eat solids, experts recommend iron-fortified rice cereal as the first food for babies since it’s less likely than other grains to cause an allergic reaction.

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Chicken

Chicken is packed with protein and vitamin B6, which is used to help the body extract energy from food. It’s important that babies start regularly eating foods containing adequate amounts of protein to support their rapid growth. If your baby doesn’t like the taste of chicken on its own, mix it with his favorite fruit or vegetable.

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Red Meat

Red meat provides an easily absorbed form of iron, which helps red blood cells carry oxygen to cells and assists brain development. Younger babies can have meat purees, while older babies who are able to chew can have well-cooked, finely diced meats.

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Butternut Squash

Babies love the sweet taste of butternut squash—and it boasts healthy doses of the antioxidant beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, folate, B-vitamins, and even some omega-3 fatty acids. Simply steam or boil butternut squash until tender, then puree until smooth.

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Fish

Fatty fish like salmon abounds with fat-soluble vitamins and essential fats that support brain development, eye health, and the immune system. Whats more, white fish like haddock and cod gives a much-needed protein boost. Fish can cause an allergic reaction, so talk to your pediatrician before introducing it to your baby.

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Tomatoes

Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, an antioxidant pigment that helps to prevent cancer and heart disease. However, research shows that lycopene in tomatoes can be absorbed more efficiently by the body if the tomatoes have been cooked with a little oil.

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Peas

Peas are bursting with vitamin K, a nutrient that works alongside calcium to build healthy bones. They also have antioxidant vitamins A and C, as well as folic acid, fiber, and B vitamins.

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Broccoli

Broccoli is a true superfood for babies, thanks to high amounts of vitamin C, beta-carotene, folic acid, iron, potassium, and fiber. Boiling broccoli in water cuts its vitamin C content in half, so it’s best to steam or microwave it. If your baby isn’t keen on the taste of broccoli, mix it with a sweet-tasting vegetable, such as sweet potato or butternut squash.

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Pasta

Pasta is a good source of complex carbohydrates, which provide us with sustained energy. This’s why it is so popular with athletes. Try mixing some whole-grain pasta with regular pasta to increase the fiber content of the meal. Make sure to choose small shapes and cook until very tender.

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Raspberries

Raspberries contain ellagic acid, which can help protect us against cancer. Of all the fruits, raspberries pack the most fiber into the fewest calories.

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Brown Rice

Brown rice provides energy, some protein, B vitamins, and minerals. It’s much more nutritious than white rice, since the latter loses most of its important minerals and vitamins during processing. The starch in rice is absorbed slowly, thereby providing a steady release of glucose for sustained energy.