Why do we recommend variety and diversity in weaning food these days – in contrast to before?
In the first few months of weaning food babies are particularly open to new tastes. This is why it is recommended that babies at this age are already offered a healthy variety of foods. If babies get used to different flavours and healthy foods at this early stage, they can accept them better as they get older. Before, a more one-sided diet was recommended, in order to prevent allergies. These days it is known from the many scientific studies that it is also important for the immune system that the child gets to know ingredients such as fish, egg or milk as soon as the weaning stage.
How can I best put this into practice in my baby’s diet?
The midday meal is the first complete weaning meal for the baby. It is wonderful that there are so many tasty varieties to try. As soon as your baby has got used to eating from a spoon, you can vary the meals daily. One day, for example, you can give beef with carrots; the next, for example, sweetcorn with turkey. By choosing different vegetables, meat and every now and again fish or vegetarian meals you can bring variety into your baby’s meal plan.
What should mothers pay attention to with vegetarian menus?
Feed your baby a few small spoonfuls (approx. 50 g) of vitamin C rich fruit or fruit juice as a dessert. This promotes the absorption of iron from cereals and vegetables. Iron is important for the formation of blood and the mental development of the baby and therefore is of special importance in a baby’s diet.
