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By: Dr. Joey Shulman
All parents want the best for their growing
babies. Decisions about the quality and quantity of the food
your baby is eating are, therefore, of the utmost importance.
Selecting high quality foods and “going
organic” have been shown to have immense benefits, which
include:
- Lowering your baby’s risk
of developing allergies or asthma
- Decreasing the chances of having
a “picky eater”
- Optimizing your baby’s digestion
and immune system function
- Decreasing exposure to toxic chemicals
found in conventional fruits and vegetables
Step 1 – Starting with cereal
(approx. 4-6 months)
A hypoallergenic infant cereal such as brown
rice, barley or mixed grain is the best “starter”
food for your baby. Mix cereal with added breast milk, formula
or water to ensure it has a soft and smooth texture.
Step 2 – Moving on to 100%
organic fruits and veggies (approximately 4-6 months)
Fruits and vegetables are the next solid
food category you should introduce on a one by one basis.
As a general rule, the more colorful the fruit or vegetable,
the more nutrient value it holds. The top organic fruits and
vegetables to introduce include avocados, bananas, blueberries,
pears, broccoli, peas, carrots, squash and sweet potatoes.
Step 3 – Introducing organic
proteins for strong muscles (approximately 6- 8 months)
As your baby’s energy and growing
demands change, s/he is ready to eat a greater amount of protein
and iron. Introduce new protein foods one at time with a 3-5
day lag between each new protein introduced.
Becoming informed about your baby’s
nutritional and growing needs gives parents peace of mind.
Having the right information will help with your baby’s
continuing growth and development.
To contact Dr. Joey, visit drjoey@sweetpeababyfood.com
Reprinted with permission from
Sweetpea Baby Food www.sweetpeababyfood.com
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