The Big 5 (Baby's First Foods)

There is a lot of debate about when to start your baby on solids.  Current recommendations say that breast milk or formula should be your baby's main source of nutrition until 6 months of age.  The reasoning for this is because breast milk or formula has everything your baby needs to develop properly and if you start solids too early then your baby could lose out on important nutrients.  When you start your baby on solids, it helps to know what foods are best to start with.  Here are the top 5 best first foods for your baby:

1. Sweet Potatoes
Easy to make, easy to digest, easy on the tummy, and easy on the taste buds!  Not to mention, they are one of the most nutritious veggies on the planet.  These little beauties have huge amounts of dietary fiber and beta carotene, calcium, iron, Vitamin A and Vitamin C and even Vitamin E.  

2. Avocado
It is said that if you were stranded on an island you could survive on avocados because of all of the nutrients it contains: healthy fats, fiber, potassium, iron, folate and even Vitamin E.  The reason I love the avocado so much is because you don't have to cook it!  Less work for mom, faster food for baby!

3. Carrots
Fresh produce can be expensive sometimes but these little treasures are always cheap and available year round.  Beta carotene, Folate, Vitamin C and even Calcium mean better vision, growth, and development; the maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes; immune functions; and even aids reproductive functions for your baby.
* Note: if possible, do not use baby carrots.  For more info, read the bottom of this post.

4. Bananas
Probably one of the easiest foods for your baby to digest and one of the easiest to prepare!  Just peel, mash, and feed to that watering baby mouth.  Important nutrients in bananas include: Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin B2, Calcium, Folate, Potassium and Fiber.  Hard to believe that so many nutrients are in such a delicious, creamy food!

5. Oatmeal
High in fiber, calcium, protein, some B vitamins, and 2 mg of iron per cup.  Less constipating and easy to buy and prepare.  TIP: Choose steel cut or rolled oats (not quick oats).  The less cutting and processing of the oats means more nutrients in the tummy.

Information retrieved from Wholesome Baby Food.  See more information @ http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/

* Why should I not use baby carrots for my baby's food? 
“''Baby'' carrots are the product of modern technology and are specially formed by a machine that cuts them out from full sized older carrots. Some 'growers' add green food coloring at the 'stem' for further effect. One way to tell if a baby carrot is truly a baby carrot is to read its packaging. The common 'baby carrots' sold in the grocery store will actually say 'baby cut' carrots.
Baby cut carrots are cleansed in a solution that often contains chlorine so that they will not turn white while in the package. Skip these carrots and opt to peel and cut your own, especially if you will be making carrot baby food!"  

(http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/carrotsbabyfoodrecipes.html#.Ucj9vutrfgo)