Baby Food What to feed your baby's nutritional requirements

Our babies need a balance diet just like we do, but should be gradually introduced to types of food gradually and one food group at a time. Always start with one at a time so you can notice if any reaction or allergies to that new item you have introduced to your baby and if it makes it easier to know what they have had a reaction too. Start with Vegetables and Fruit group as there is a better chance of less allergies from this food group.

1.Carbohydrates (Complex, Sugars and Dietary Fibre carbs provide fuel, energy and fibre. Can be found in Banana, Spinach, Flour (white & wholemeal), roaled oats, Potatoes, bread (white & wholemeal), avacado, carrots, pasta and baked beans.

Eg: Natual Sugars are:Natural Sultanas, dates, dried apricots, bananas, white grapes, apples and oranges, refined sugar, honey, golden syrum, jam, sweet biscuits.

Eg: of dietary fibres are: Vegetables, fruit, cereal, fruit juice.

2. Protein small children need much more protein for their size than adults do. If children are offered a variety of foods from the five food groups they will unlikely be deficient in protein. It is not recommended and care is tobe taken with vegan diets that exclude dairy products.

Animal Protein are milk, cheese, eggs, fish, chicken, meat, yoghurt, liver, brains or kidneys.

Plant Protein should be combined to provide proper nourishment to encourage proper growth. Example of these are brown rice, cooked pasta, cooked lentils, bread, flour, breakfast cereals, wheatgerm, cooked haricot beans, dates.

3. Vitamins for babies: Breastfed babies do not need vitamin supplements as breastmilk supplies all vitamins needed. Babies on formular do not need supplements either as this has been added in the formulars. Just look on side of the tin which will provide information. Prem babies could need supplements as they are not born with alot of stored vitamins just for the first 3 to 4 months of their lives depending on how premy. Once toddlers begin to eat a variety of foods from all the food groups they are getting all the vitamins needed.

4. Minerals also play an inportant part in healthy blood, proper growth and strong bones. Like vitamins, minerals provided from your diet intake as well. that is why it has tobe a balanced diet of all food groups. Important ones for your babies are iron and calcium.

5. Water this is a vital nutrient. breatmilk has lots of water in it so well nourished well breastfed babies don't necessary need to drink extra water. Formular has water as well but if baby is constipated extra water is needed. Just follow your food pyramid as this is a good guide for everyone. Even our babies and todlers.