9 Healthiest First Foods For Baby + Recipes

If you and your baby are entering the messy world of solids, give these healthy first foods for baby recipes a try!

RELATED: Healthy Food Serving Size For Toddlers And Kids

9 Healthy Recipes Your Baby Will Love

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1. Carrot and Chicken Puree

Carrots are one of the best first foods for baby. It’s rich in beta-carotene and antioxidants. Beta-carotene is important in maintaining good eyesight.

Foods rich in antioxidants help prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

For your baby’s first meal, it’s better to start off with a carrot puree. This puree is one of the best first foods for baby led weaning because babies will enjoy the sweetness of the carrots and the heartiness of the chicken.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups boneless chicken, chopped
• 2 cups carrots, diced
• 6-7 cups of water

Instructions:

• In two different pots, boil the chicken and carrots until tender.
• Make sure to save the chicken stock.
• Put the cooked chicken and carrots in a blender. Blend it to your desired consistency.
• Add chicken stock to thin out the puree.

2. Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes are loaded with carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese, and potassium. It is a versatile baby food ingredient because it blends well with other vegetables.

One of the first potato dishes you can make for your baby is a simplified mashed potato.

Ingredients:

• 1 potato, medium-sized
• Breast milk or baby formula
• 3 cloves of garlic, roasted (optional)
• 1 Tbsp of cream cheese (optional)

Instructions:

• Boil the potatoes until tender.
• Mash the boiled potatoes.
• Add milk to thin it out the mashed potatoes.

Tip: You may need to use more milk for younger babies who have just started eating solids. You can also try adding roasted garlic or cream cheese to liven it up for your little one.

3. Butternut Squash and Apple Puree

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Butternut squash contains dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin B6. It helps strengthen the immune system and bones. Squash can be roasted, baked, or steamed. Apples add the sweetness that compliments the rich flavors of squash.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup squash, cubed
• 1 cup apples, chopped
• 3-4 cups of water

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 400 °F.
• Bake the apples for 40 minutes. Let it cool down after taking it out of the oven.
• Steam the squash until it’s tender. Let it cool down after steaming.
• Puree the apples in a blender. Add water to thin out the apple sauce.
• When you’re happy with the consistency of the apple sauce, add the squash and blend them together.

Tip: If the puree comes out too thick, you can add more water.

4. Sweet Potato Puree

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Sweet potatoes are a great source of potassium, vitamin C, and fiber. On its own, it’s already full of flavor.

That’s why a simple sweet potato puree is usually a hit among babies. This is also one of the best first food for baby at 4 months since it doesn’t involve several ingredients that can overwhelm your baby’s taste buds.

Ingredients:

• 1 sweet potato
• water for boiling
• cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

• Peel and chop the sweet potato into cubes.
• Boil the sweet potato in water until it’s tender. This usually takes about 15 minutes.
• Put the cooked sweet potato in the blender. Add water until you are happy with the consistency.

Tip: If you want to add more flavor to the puree, sprinkle a dash of cinnamon to the puree. Don’t overdo it though! A little cinnamon goes a long way.

RELATED: Baby Weight Chart | How Much Should My Baby Weigh? [INFOGRAPHIC]

5. Cheesy Broccoli Rice Puree

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A great first food for baby is broccoli! This superfood is packed with vitamin C, potassium, beta-carotene, iron, folic acid, and other nutrients.

Ingredients:

• Florets from 1 head of broccoli
• 1/2 cup cooked rice
•  1/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions:

• Wash the broccoli, chop off the stems, and put it aside. Cut the florets into smaller pieces.
• Steam the broccoli until tender.
• Mix the steamed broccoli and rice.
• Put it on top of a stove set on low.
• Mix in the cheese.
• Keep on on the stove until the cheese melts and is incorporated into the broccoli and rice.

Tip: Older babies can have the rice dish as is, but for younger babies, it’s best to puree it. You can puree the cheese broccoli rice in a blender or food processor.

6. Pureed Peas with Yogurt

Green peas have magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamin C, and is a good source of dietary fiber. Although it may not seem like it, peas and yogurt actually go really well together.

Ingredients:

• 10 ounces of frozen peas
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt
• curry powder (optional)

Instructions:

• Steam the peas for about 3-5 minutes or until it’s tender.
• Puree the cooked peas and yogurt in a blender.

Tip: If you want to spice it up, add a dash of curry powder.

7. Apple Oatmeal

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Apples are usually one of the first things a baby tries. Parents love apples because it contains antioxidants and flavonoids.

What are flavonoids? It is a group of plant chemicals (phytonutrients) responsible for the colors of fruits and vegetables. It is an antioxidant, has anti-inflammatory properties, and can strengthen the immune system.

It’s also a great source of dietary fiber. Adding apples to your baby’s oatmeal is a great way to incorporate this superfood into their diet.

Ingredients:

• 1 small apple
• 1/4 cup oats
• 3/4 cup water

Instructions:

• Peel and core the apple.
• Cut it into small dices.
• In a small pan, mix the apples, oats, water.
• Bring it to a slow boil and simmer until the apples are soft and the oatmeal is cooked.

8. Mashed Banana

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Bananas are sometimes called nature’s perfect food and with good reason! They contain potassium, fiber, and Vitamin B6, Vitamin BC, and Vitamin C.

The best way to introduce bananas to your baby is by mashing them.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• water, breast milk, or formula

Instructions:

• Peel the banana.
• Cut the banana into cubes.
• Mash the bananas with a fork.
• Add water, breast milk, or formula to thin it out.

Tip: There are different types of bananas. Pick one your baby will like.

9.  Strawberry and Mango Yogurt

Yogurt is a safe and excellent choice for baby’s first food since it’s rich in probiotics, protein, and calcium. It helps keep your baby’s digestive system healthy, and it also boosts their immune system.

Ingredients:

• 4 strawberries
• 1/3 cup mangoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup of plain yogurt

Instructions:

• Chop the strawberries and mangoes.
• Steam the strawberries and mangoes until they are soft (about 5 minutes).
• Puree the strawberries and mangoes in a blender.
• Mix the pureed fruits with the yogurt.

Tip: Mix and match different fruits with this recipe!

Don’t forget to download, save, or share this handy infographic for reference:

It’s always exciting when your baby reaches a new milestone. As you plan your baby’s first food schedule, allow them to experience the natural flavors of food.

Avoid adding salt or sugar in the first few months and stick to foods that are easy to digest. Try incorporating superfoods in their diet as often as you can as well.

While you’re at it, feed your baby with the help of a portable travel high chair, so he/she can feel comfortable while eating wherever you go.

Have you started giving your baby solids? What are your baby’s favorite foods? Let us know in the comments section below!

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