Introduction of Solid Foods for Babies
• Introducing pureed fresh fruit due to ease of digestion provides for a good introduction to other solid foods;
• Ideally, foods should be added one at a time; a 2-3 day gap should be given before introducing a new food
• Following fruits, steamed vegetables should start to be included
• Any adverse reaction needs to be monitored and then re-evaluated in one week to confirm sensitivity, if a negative reaction occurs the second time then the food must be eliminated for a 4-6 week period before trying it again; under no circumstance should a food be repeated if a severe allergic reaction occurs, unless under the supervision of your doctor
• Pureeing or liquefying all food parts allows for maximum intake of every available nutrient found in these foods
Recommended Schedule (ORGANIC foods are always preferred)
6-8 months (wait until infant is very interested in solid foods or when first teeth are coming in); desired nutrient: IRON (Fe)-containing foods that are low allergenic foods for infants
• Highest Fe Levels – Swiss chard, dulse, mustard greens, dandelion greens, leeks, apricots
• Moderate/High Fe Levels – Kale, pumpkin seeds, spinach, broccoli, pumpkin, peas
• Medium sources of Fe (1.1 to 1.4 mg/serving) – Collard greens, beet greens, figs, raisins, lamb quarters, prunes
• Significant sources of Fe (1.0 to 0.3 mg/serving) – Endive, green beans, parsley, kelp, leaf lettuce, blueberries, banana, raspberries, blackberries, apple sauce, mung bean sprouts, artichoke
9-12 months (Fe-containing foods that are more complex allergy foods)
• Highest Fe Levels – Black molasses, amaranth, lima beans, baked white potato, pinto beans
• Safe foods that are low in Fe and Zinc (Zn) – Peaches, grapes, carrots, cauliflower, papaya, pears, cherries, squash (all types), cabbage, pineapple
9-12 months (infants should be active and foods containing Zn are crucial for immunity, Zn-containing foods are relatively easy to digest but are more complex)
• Highest Zn Levels – Colostrum, swiss chard, lima beans, white potato, Mustard greens
• Moderate/High Zn Levels – Mustard greens, kidney beans, dried peas, leeks
• Medium sources of Zn – Quinoa, cow/goat/soy/rice/oat milk (always organic, don’t introduce prior to 12 months)
12-15 months (infants should be active, cutting molars coming in; foods containing protein are of high priority)
• Highest % protein – Mung bean, tofu, lentils, split peas, pumpkin seeds, goats milk, tuna, small fish
• Moderate/High % of protein – Quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, garbanzo beans, white potato
• Medium % of protein – Spinach, kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, teff, chicken (high)
• Significant to low levels protein – Brown rice, corn
15-18 months (foods higher in complex proteins)
• Highest % protein – Larger amounts of fish, red meat (free range, organic)
• Moderate/High % protein – Oatmeal
• Medium % protein – Barley
18-24 months (these foods are most difficult to digest and should be tried cautiously)
• Egg, cow’s yogurt, cashew butter, rye, yeast, walnuts, wheat