What type of food should I introduce to my baby? She is 6 months.
Esther Kimani Staff
Start with thick porridge, well mashed foods and fruits. Your baby should eat a balanced meal and a variety of other foods should be added to the staple every day to provide other nutrients. These include:
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<li>Foods from animals or fish are good sources of protein, iron and zinc. Liver also provides vitamin A and folate. Egg is a good source of protein and vitamin A, but not of iron. A child needs the solid part of these foods, not just the watery sauce.</li>
<li>Dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yoghurt, are useful sources of calcium, protein, energy and B vitamins. Continue also with breast milk as the main foods.</li>
<li>Pulses – peas, beans, lentils, are good sources of protein, and some iron. Eating sources of vitamin C (for example, tomatoes, citrus and other fruits, and green leafy vegetables) at the same time helps iron absorption.</li>
<li>Orange-coloured fruits and vegetables such as carrot, pumpkin, mango and pawpaw, and dark-green leaves such as spinach, are rich in carotene, from which vitamin A is made, and also vitamin C.</li>
<li>Fruits such as many fresh vegetables and fruits, such as broccoli, green and red peppers, cauliflower, lemon, cabbage, pineapples, strawberries, citrus fruits.</li>
<li>Fats and oils are concentrated sources of energy, and of certain essential fats that children need to grow. You can get these from cooking oil, avocado, cod liver oil.</li>
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