Baby's Diet After One Year

After one year the child should be started on variety of foods so that it develops tastes. Cow or Buffalos milk can be given along with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Chapati made of whole wheat should be given as it is nutritious. Read on to know more.After the child is a year old, you should gradually let the child start getting used to foods made for the family, in terms of taste as well as consistency. In this articleMilkFruitsRice and ChapatiVegetablesDals, Eggs and Other High Protein FoodsFoods to be AvoidedMilkStart giving cow or buffalos milk from a glass 2-3 times a day.If the child does not like milk, milk preparations like fruit salad in milk, curds and cheese should be given.Benefits of MilkMilk is a very important component of a child’s diet. It is vital to include it in children’s diet in order help them develop strong bones and teeth. FruitsInexpensive seasonal fruits should be given in abundance.Whenever possible, avoid peeling the fruits skin. Fruit skins are rich in vitamins and minerals.Encourage the child to have fresh fruit juices, but avoid sweetening it with sugar.Avoid canned fruits and fruit juices; they have excessive sugar and contain preservatives.Benefits of FruitsFruits contain vital vitamins and nutrients that help babies to develop a strong immune system and provide protection against various illnesses.Rice and ChapatiChapatis should be made from whole wheat. (Do not throw away the bran).Polished rice is not as healthy as unpolished or par-boiled rice.Benefits of Rice and ChapatiRice is a very good source of protein for babies as well as a good source of energy for them. Boiled rice can be fed to children along with curd, milk or Dal. Chapati is a very good source of carbohydrate which is necessary for providing the energy that babies need for performing various activities. Chapatis are also very beneficial for digestion and preventing problems like constipation in children. VegetablesGreen, orange, red and yellow vegetables are essential. Scrape vegetables like potatoes instead of peeling them.Use the water in which rice or vegetables have been boiled; it contains essential vitamins and minerals.Do not overcook vegetables. If you want to make the vegetables soft, gently mash them with a spoon.Benefits of VegetablesVegetables are very beneficial for providing essential nutrients like Vitamin C, fibre, magnesium, potassium, folate and beta carotene. Some vegetables like spinach, beetroot and broccoli are rich in antioxidants which are very helpful in preventing innumerable diseases.Dals, Eggs and Other High Protein FoodsMake sure foods high in protein (such as pulses or dals, gram, peanuts, peas, beans, eggs, fish, mutton, liver) are given.Sprouted Gram or Moong is very nutritious.Benefits of Protein Rich FoodsIncluding foods rich in protein in the diet of babies is very important for aiding their rapid growth. So, it is important that parents include such foods in the diet of their babies on regular basis.Foods to be Avoided Here is a list of foods which parents must never introduce to their children.Chocolates, cold drinks, flavouring agents, tea, coffee, etc. should be avoided as far as possible because they contain chemicals and caffeine that can be harmful to the child.These filler foods can also ruin the childs appetite for nutritious meals.Other foods that include in this list are foods like chips, candies, packaged juices, packaged milkshakes and foods containing artificial flavours and colours.The foods to be avoided mentioned above are not only harmful for the health of the babies but also it can affect their brain development. So, make sure that you avoid introducing such foods in the diet of your child at all costs.