8 Nutrient-Packed Solids for Baby

Turkey

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your baby eat a variety of foods, including meat, a few months after starting solids. Turkey is high in protein and iron, and its mild flavor and smooth texture make it a popular choice for baby’s first meat. Mix cooked, skinless, pureed turkey with familiar foods such as rice, carrots or peas so the new dish isn’t totally foreign to her.

Chicken

When introducing any new food to your baby, do it when she’s neither full nor ravenous — if she’s too hungry, she will be easily frustrated that she can’t eat the new food as easily as she’d like. Chicken is an easy way to add a little protein into your baby’s diet, and its flavor isn’t too strong for a picky eater. Don’t hand baby a drumstick to gnaw on straight away: Start by introducing well-cooked, skinless chicken that’s been ground, minced or pureed.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a great fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!) that’s easily pureed and full of rich flavors and bright color. It’s also high in fiber, beta-carotene, protein and potassium. You can offer baby fresh pumpkins or canned pumpkin puree from the grocery store — just be sure not to use “pumpkin pie” mix, which contains lots of added sugar. Leave the spices out of this apple-pumpkin soup recipe and you’ll have a warm meal both you and your little one can enjoy.

Apricots

When introducing new fruits to your baby, it’s not necessary to add any sugars or syrups — let the natural, delicious flavors speak for themselves. High in beta-carotene and Vitamin C, apricots are a great choice for adding a little sweetness to your baby’s snack. Give it a whirl with this pear and apricot puree.

Beef

Add beef into your baby’s diet for variety in flavor and texture. Beef is a great source of iron, which helps brain development and the circulation of oxygen in the body. You can buy strained beef in the baby food aisle or puree it yourself before serving — baby still doesn’t have the proper molars for chewing tough chunks of meat.

Mangos

Mangos are another wonderfully sweet fruit to introduce into your baby’s diet. These fruits contain a whole alphabet of vitamins — A, C, E, and K — as well as fiber, magnesium and potassium. If your baby has mastered grabbing bits of food, you can serve up fresh, ripe mango in small chunks — just be careful to remove any stringy parts of the flesh that your baby could choke on. Start slowly, with just a small amount of fruit on your baby’s highchair tray, then gradually increase the amount if it seems like he wants more.

Lamb

Lamb is another meat to try, either pre-made from the baby food aisle or prepared at home in a pureed dish or stew. Don’t be discouraged if at first your baby seems to dislike the taste or texture of meat. Try again a few days later when your baby has forgotten about the first try. If your baby seems to continually resist meat, you can get him the iron he needs by incorporating tofu, lentils or broccoli into his diet instead.

Avocado

Avocados are a colorful, creamy food to add to your baby’s meals, and they’re chock-full of healthy fats like omega-3s, which help to build cells and regulate immune function, blood pressure and cholesterol. These super-fruits have the added benefit of not requiring cooking before serving. Simply remove the skin from a ripe avocado, mash it and serve to your baby as is — or blend with other fruit for a sweet snack. Try this potassium-packed avocado-banana rice mash.