Exotic Flavours Your Baby MUST Try
Award winning child nutritionist explains the exotic flavours that are MUST for babies.
When it comes to babies' diets, and what you should or shouldn't feed them, there is a lot of information out there and it can be tricky to know which guidance to follow. While some foods such as salt, sugar, honey and peanuts should be avoided, there are plenty of great, excotic flavours that babies can, and should, try to help their development and their tummies.
Here, For Aisha’s award winning nutritionist, Priya Tew, lists 10 exotic flavours that your baby must try and explains why they are so beneficial.
1. Coconut
Coconut contains fibre to encourage a healthy gut and other essential nutrients to help a baby thrive in its early years. Other healthy nutrients that are great for little tummies found in coconut includes; copper, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc, and vitamin B6.
2. Mango
Mango is full of important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C – an essential nutrient for immune health which is very important for little ones as they begin to grow and fight infections. A top tip for feeding your little one mango is to cut it into slices to make it less slippery for small hands or try a pouch.
3. Paprika
While some parents may want to avoid natural spices such as paprika, it actually has great health benefits. Paprika contains Vitamin A which is pivotal for good eye and vision development in children. Paprika can be added to children's diets from around 6 months old in small amounts.
4. Apricot
Apricots are a great source of fibre, which is helpful if your little one is prone to constipation. They also contain Vitamin C and iron, two nutrients that are important from six months old - Vitamin C also helps the iron be absorbed by the body.
5. Lentils
Lentils are also great for babies! They're an excellent source of two essential nutrients, iron and zinc. Lentils are also high in protein and fibre and packed with B vitamins, magnesium, and potassium so there's a load of benefits to adding some lentils into your child's mealtimes.
6. Cinnamon
Cinnamon contains potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus which are important for bone health. As long as they are not allergic you can add a little bit of cinnamon seasoning to their diet.
7. Turmeric
Turmeric is great for everyone's diets, including babies. In fact, turmeric has been used for thousands of years as medicine. It can even be used in beauty products too. Again, it’s best to add small amounts to begin with, just a little bit of seasoning goes a long way.
8. Butternut Squash
Butternut squash boasts healthy doses of antioxidant vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, fibre, folate, B-vitamins, and also some omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, babies tend to love the taste of butternut squash as it's quite sweet so this should be an easy one to add to their diets.
9. Ginger
Ginger has lots of medicinal benefits including easing digestion, reducing nausea, helping fight the flu or common cold. When it comes to babies' health, ginger is wonderful for an upset tummy or even for reducing some gas that your little one may have.
10. Cumin
Cumin has many health benefits. It increases the uptake of certain nutrients, can aid digestion and contains iron. All great for little bodies.
The For Aisha product range is designed with little tummies in mind and is packed full of exotic flavours. Ideal for encouraging adventurous meal times, exploring and embracing new tastes and flavours, For Aisha’s products include Banana and Coconut Oaty Bars, Chicken and Sweet Potato Pouches and Green Bean and Lamb Curry Tray Meal - to name a few - all packed full of exotic ingredients to help your child grow happily and healthily.