By Jamell Andrews
Babies are generally able to start eating solid foods between the ages of 4 to 6 months. While most parents believe that they need to carefully feed babies very bland foods such as plain pasta and flavorless cereals, recent research has indicated that most babies are perfectly able to handle foods that not only contain some flavor, but some much needed nutrients as well.
Hello Seasonings!
Many parents throughout the United States do not realize that babies in other countries thrive on complex foods that are rich in flavor. The reality is that there is no scientific research indicating that babies need to eat bland foods. This habit among American parents is something that developed over time and eventually became an accepted cultural norm.
One very strong argument in favor of adding spices and seasonings to babies’ foods is the fact that breast milk takes on the flavors of foods that mothers consume. So, when mom eats a delicious Italian meal or spicy Indian food, those flavors are present in breast milk. In other words, there is nothing wrong with adding a little paprika, parsley, cumin, or thyme to some of your baby’s otherwise bland fare to give it a bit of flavor.
Choosing Organic
Many parents believe that organic foods must be healthier and safer for their babies because they are free of pesticides and hormones. While scientific evidence still has all of us pretty much on the fence regarding whether organic foods are truly healthier, there is certainly nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution. In fact, getting babies accustomed to eating nutritious, wholesome foods early in life is an excellent way to ensure that they will maintain their healthy habits throughout life.
Many health and nutrition professionals do recommend, however, that parents choose organic options when it comes to certain foods. Milk, poultry, meat, apples, strawberries, and lettuce tend to have the highest residue levels of pesticides, so it is smart to choose organic products when making these purchases.
Broadening Baby’s Horizons
Parents who provide their babies with a wider variety of food options tend to have children who are more open to trying new dishes. Many experts agree that one of the primary reasons children in America tend to be so picky is because they are raised from infancy on bland, tasteless foods. If a baby is used to only eating foods without much flavor, he is going to be less likely to want to eat more adventurous dishes, which may ultimately deprive him of some much needed nutrients.
Many nutritional experts recommend variety in babies’ diets not only so parents can broaden their food interests, but also to provide them with many of the nutrients they might otherwise not be getting. If you need some suggestions for tastier foods to try feeding your baby, consider the following: sour fruits, stewed meat, whole grains, or cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.