Most of us already understand the importance of maintaining a healthy diet for ourselves, but it's equally crucial to take care of the food we give to our little ones, who are just starting to explore the world of food. Even though babies cannot eat solid foods yet and rely mainly on milk, it's essential to ensure that their puréed food contains all the necessary nutrients. To achieve this, combining fruits and vegetables is the best option. We have gathered eight excellent combinations and provided recipes for creating personalized purées for your baby. Not only will these combinations put a smile on your little one's face, but they will also contribute significantly to their overall health.
Carrots are an excellent food for babies, as they have a sweet taste and play a vital role in strengthening the immune system, which is still developing and requires proper care. They are also rich in vitamin A, zeaxanthin, and lutein, which enhance eye health and promote normal vision.
To prepare a purée, steam 60 grams of peeled and chopped carrots and 100 grams of peeled and diced crookneck pumpkin for about 8 minutes until they soften. Then, mash the mixture into a purée with a tablespoon of vegetable oil and some milk, if necessary.
Cauliflower is a nutritious vegetable that is great for both children and adults. It contains important substances like folic acid, calcium, and vitamins A and C, which are essential for proper development. When combined with sweet potato, which is a great source of various vitamins, your baby can receive a plethora of health benefits from one simple purée.
To make the mash, steam peeled and diced sweet potato with cauliflower florets for 8 minutes until everything softens. After cooling the mixture, blend it with a tablespoon of vegetable oil and some milk to thicken the purée.
We have previously mentioned the advantages of including carrots in your infant's diet. A puree made by combining leeks, red apples, and carrots can be highly beneficial for babies, particularly in promoting a healthy digestive system. Leeks are rich in dietary fiber, which can greatly improve digestion and gut health in children. Potatoes are also high in alkaline sugars that aid in reducing acidity levels in the body. Mixing these vegetables with carrots can help cultivate a friendly bacteria community in your child's intestine, which is crucial for their growth and development.
To make the purée, start by slicing an 8 cm long leek root into small circles and frying them in a pot with a bit of oil. Once the leeks are cooked, add 100 grams of peeled and chopped carrots and 100 milliliters of water to the pot. Cover the pot with a lid and cook over low heat until the carrots are soft. While the carrots are cooking, boil 120 grams of potatoes in another pot until they are soft. Mash the potatoes in a clean bowl. Once the carrots and leeks are soft, blend them into a purée using a blender. Mix the purée with the mashed potatoes and add some of your baby's milk to adjust the texture to his or her palate.
If you're looking to boost your child's strength and overall health, consider introducing them to a combination of zucchini, spinach, and tomato paste from a young age. Spinach is known to be a rich source of iron, potassium, and calcium, which are essential for building strong bones and muscles, especially in young children. Zucchini adds to its nutritional value with its high calcium, magnesium, and phosphate content. And, the tomato paste provides a dose of vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron from the spinach and zucchini.
To prepare this mash, simply heat up some oil, fry the diced zucchini until soft, add spinach leaves, and cook for a few minutes until wilted. Blend the mixture with tomato sauce, and add a little baby rice porridge if needed.
The combination of broccoli, peas, and potato is a great source of nutrition for your baby. Broccoli and peas are essential for building your child's immune system, while potatoes aid in digestion and prevent constipation. Potatoes also help develop good bacteria in the gut.
To make a mash, boil diced potatoes until soft, and steam broccoli and peas separately. Mash the potatoes with vegetable oil, purée the steamed peas and broccoli, then mix everything together. If needed, add milk for consistency.
Moving on to plums and apples, they are a great source of vitamins and minerals for your baby's growth and development. You can purée them together or separately, and serve them as a snack or as part of a meal.
In the fruit section, the apple is a popular fruit for babies due to its high nutritional value and easy digestibility. When combined with plum, it not only tastes great, but also benefits the baby's digestive system.
To make the purée, cook a peeled, cored, and roughly chopped apple with two medium-sized plums in 120 milliliters of water until they are completely softened. Then blend the contents until it becomes purée.
7. Pear and Apricot
A purée made from the delightful combination of apricot and pear can not only be a treat for your little one, but also offer several health benefits. These two fruits are rich in essential nutrients that promote a healthy digestive and immune system. Apricot is known for its ability to heal skin inflammations and respiratory disorders, while pear aids in faster healing of wounds and cuts.
To make this purée, cook 100 grams of dried apricots in 250 milliliters of water until they are soft. At the same time, steam 2 peeled, pitted and chopped pears for 5–6 minutes. Blend the components together with their cooking juices to form a smooth purée.
8. Banana and Avocado
Did you know that avocado is actually a fruit? When combined with ripe banana, the soft texture of both makes it easy to create a purée. This delicious combination not only makes meal preparation quick and easy, but also provides many nutritional benefits for your child. It helps strengthen brain activity, supplies vitamins and fiber to the body, and more.
To make the purée, simply mash together ¼ ripe avocado and ¼ ripe banana until smooth. Serve immediately to your little one for a healthy snack!
