There is nothing more beneficial than serving homemade food to your baby . While you prepare baby food at home you can always feel confident that the process is carried out hygienically. Thus, your baby will be saved from the chances of stomach related ailments such as diarrhea, acidity and dysentery. You can induce nutrition in your kid by means of innovative and delicious recipes too that are devoid of extra oil and spices.
Baby food equipment
The equipments that you select for preparing baby food should be wisely chosen. Babies find it difficult to chew most of the food till the month of seven. So, the equipments you chose must be such that they can mash, blend and grind food. Moreover, you might like to feed your baby fresh juices, vegetable puree and smoothies too. Thus, the primary baby food equipments are masher, steamer, food mill, food grinder, food processor and strainer. Get hold of strainer to strain out pulps and seeds of fruits and vegetables. A rice cooker will be even handier for preparing rice or rice based food for your baby. Spoons and forks are needless to mention in this regard.
Baby food tips
As you prepare food for your baby adhere to some of the tips we have mentioned here. These tip with help you to prepare food hygienically. Hence, you can keep your baby away from the chances of contamination. Always wash your hands before handling the equipments of your baby. Ensure that you use clean utensil every time you cook food. Wash the utensils and cutting boards thoroughly with lukewarm water and dish washing soap. Do this every time you finish cutting and chopped something. Try to feed your baby the cooked or ground dishes immediately. If you think these foods are surplus and need refrigeration do not freeze them for too long. You must not refreeze thawed foods as these aggravate chances of contamination. Try to use the pureed meat and dairy based smoothies within one day of refrigeration. But you can always store fresh fruits and vegetables in refrigerator up to three days.
Recipes with fruits
Fruits are extremely healthy for your baby. These are rich in dietary fibers, vitamins and minerals. They are easy to digest and serve as excellent weaning foods. So, serving dishes made from fresh fruits are healthy options for your baby.
1. Mashed Banana Cream
Banana is a great source of vitamins and minerals. Banana has a deliciously sweet taste. So, you will not have to rush much in making your baby eat mashed banana cream. Initially start off by mashing a quarter sized banana. As it becomes smooth add cream or milk and batter it further. Your final dish will have custard-like texture. As your baby learns to eat and digest it you can increase the quantity of bananas further.
2. Boiled apple
Apples are storehouse of natural nutrients. They are also rich in fibers. So, boiled apple will be a great treat for your toddler. Cut an apple into half and peel off. Next, boil it in water until it becomes soft. Now, put the boiled apple in a food processor and work up a smoothie. If your baby digests it then you can gradually increase the quantity of apples as well.
3. Fresh mashed chickoo
This juicy and sweet fruits will be well appreciated by your kid. So, in the initial few days get hold of a fresh chickoo. Peel it off and put it inside a blender. Serve it when a smooth puree is prepared. Increase the number of chickoos gradually with time.
Recipes with vegetables
Vegetables also act as great weaning food for your baby. They are nutritious and rich in fibers. Therefore, if your baby is constipated then nothing is more effective than vegetable diet. But vegetables must be cooked well before serving so that they are easily digestible.
1. Mashed mixed vegetable
Select some of the seasonal vegetables. Now, wash them well and boil them. Remove them from the oven as they get tender. Next, put them in a blender and mash well. Get hold of a strainer and strain the mashed vegetables to remove the pulp. Continue doing this till your baby crosses seven months. But after this age stop straining the pulp. These act as roughage and curb constipation in kids.
2. Boiled dark leafy vegetables
Dark leafy vegetables are always beneficial for your kid due to the fiber content. So, opt for leafy vegetables like coriander, cabbage, spinach, etc. Now, wash them thoroughly and boil them. Drain the excess water and mash them properly in a food processor. Add a dollop of butter and serve this delicious vegetable dish.
3. Tomato and cauliflower puree
The absorption of Iron in your kid’s body will be better if you supply Vitamin C. Therefore, tomato and cauliflowers are the natural sources of Vitamin C. Boil these vegetables and mash into a smooth texture. Sprinkle some grated cheese on top and serve. Your kid will definitely love the tangy sweet and sour taste of this dish.
Recipes with cereals
Cereals are great starters when your baby gradually learns to chew food. But homemade cereal diet for kids must be soft and semi solid. This will assist the babies in chewing the food in the initial days of learning. Soft chewable food will also get digested properly.
1. Suji Upma with vegetables
Pour a teaspoonful of mustard oil in a pan. Put a few mustard seeds. As they get fried put shredded onions, boiled vegetable and suji one by one. Fry well till the suji gets brown. Now, pour a glass of water and cover the frying pan to let the ingredients boil. Add a dash of salt in the process and serve warm when ready.
2. Plain dalia
Set a pan full of water on boil. Keep aside equal quantities of dalia and lentils. Now, as the water starts bubbling pour the entire dalia into it. Continue to boil the dalia now. When it gets half done pour the lentils and boil further till the all the ingredients gets completely boiled. Add salt and butter to taste and serve warm.
3. Dalia with vegetables
Chop onions and vegetables of your choice and set aside. Now, in a saucepan set dalia to boil along with all the vegetables. When half done put equal proportions of lentils as that of dalia. Continue boiling till the dish is prepared. In the process add salt and a few drops of ginger or garlic juice for taste. Serve hot.
Recipes with rice
When you incorporate rice into a baby food recipe it becomes sumptuous. In satiates the appetite of your kid during his growing years. It is also very nutritious and provides doses of carbohydrates that help in generating energy. This energy helps to carry out the various activities, your kid indulges in throughout the day.
1. Khichri
Take two four table spoons of rice and two table spoons of pulse, preferably moong dal. Now, mix the ingredients and wash them properly. Set them to boil till the mixture becomes soft in texture. Add a dash of salt in the process. As you finish cooking pour in a teaspoon of ghee and serve hot.
2. Mashed rice with milk
Take a cup of rice and wash it well. Now, boil it in 1 ½ cups of milk. Add sugar to taste. Cook the ingredient for ten minutes. As you continue cooking, keep on stirring continuously to avoid the dish from gettin
g burnt. When fully done, set the dish to cool and garnish with nuts and cardamom powder before serving.
3. Pulav
Sauté shredded onions, a few mustard seeds and cumin grains in white oil. Now, add chopped vegetables like peas, carrots, beans etc. and cook them till they get tender. Boil rice separately and finally pour it into the vegetable mixture. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and add salt, sugar and cinnamon powder for flavor and taste.
