Every parent wants to get their child off to a positive start to help them grow strong and healthy. Health begins with nutritious foods. So, let’s explore various ways you can work nutritious foods into purees for your little one.
Nutritious Puree Blends for Babies
Steamed spinach is high in fiber, which can aid in digestion. It’s also rich in folate and niacin, which benefits brain development. Spinach also includes vitamin A, which supports growth and development; potassium; vitamin K; and calcium for healthy bones. The leafy vegetable has zinc for immunity and iron for increasing appetite, which can be a problem for some children.
Pureeing steamed spinach with avocado is nutrient packed. Avocados are similar in nutrient content as spinach, with high amounts of zinc, iron, calcium, niacin, and vitamins A and K. They are rich in copper, which helps the body form collagen and absorb iron. Avocados are also a great source of healthy fats and fiber.
Blueberries are packed with phytonutrients and antioxidants. They have the highest antioxidant content of almost any other food. Blueberries are a rich source of vitamins C, K, and B6; folate; potassium; copper; and manganese. Manganese is essential for bone development. If available, choose wild organic blueberries.
Puree blueberries with a banana. Bananas are very nutrient dense and certainly on the yum list of most kids. Known for their potassium content, bananas are rich in fiber. They also provide vitamin C, folate, calcium manganese, copper, phosphorus (for bone formation), and riboflavin offering more support for growth and development.
Broccoli is revered as a superfood, and for good reason. Broccoli is known for improving digestion and boosting the immune system. It is also rich in fiber as well as many of the other nutrients we’ve discussed above. Broccoli provides vitamin E which supports healthy eyes, chromium for healthy blood sugar levels, choline which adds additional support to brain development and selenium, a powerful antioxidant that also supports the immune system. Lightly steam broccoli and cool. Then, add to either of the purees above or puree in bone broth.
Bone broth supports your child’s digestive system as well as healthy hair and skin. Bone broth also supports the baby’s immune system. It’s a rich source of essential amino acids, which are critical in the early stages for growth and development and supporting brain function.
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