#asktheexpert hello what food should I give to my son 1 year and 2 months

Question

Accepted Answer

At one year and two months, your son can eat a wide variety of nutritious foods. Here's a balanced diet plan for him:

1. Grains and Cereals:

Rice: Soft-cooked plain rice or khichdi (with lentils and vegetables).

Chapati/Paratha: Made with whole wheat, served with ghee, and cut into small pieces.

Oats: Cooked in milk or water, with fruit puree for added flavor.

2. Fruits:

Offer soft fruits like banana, papaya, apple (steamed), mango, pear, watermelon, etc.

Serve them as finger foods or mashed/pureed.

3. Vegetables:

Soft-cooked vegetables like carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, peas, spinach, cauliflower, and broccoli.

You can serve them mashed, in soups, or mixed into khichdi or parathas.

4. Proteins:

Lentils: Well-cooked dals like moong dal or masoor dal.

Eggs: Scrambled or boiled eggs.

Chicken or Fish: Soft-cooked, shredded chicken or fish (be sure to check for bones).

Paneer (cottage cheese): Small cubes or scrambled paneer.

Tofu: Soft and cut into small pieces.

5. Dairy:

Milk: Offer 2-3 cups of whole milk daily.

Yogurt: Plain, full-fat yogurt is great for probiotics and calcium.

Cheese: Small pieces of mild cheese can be offered as finger food.

6. Snacks:

Homemade snacks like fruit smoothies, vegetable sticks, or whole grain crackers.

Ragi porridge, suji halwa, or puffed rice.

7. Healthy Fats:

Include ghee, butter, or a little olive oil in his meals for healthy fats.

Sample Meal Plan:

Breakfast: Oats porridge with mashed banana or scrambled eggs with a slice of bread.

Mid-morning: Small cubes of papaya or a fruit smoothie.

Lunch: Rice with dal and mashed vegetables or chapati with paneer.

Snack: Yogurt with fruit or cheese slices.

Dinner: Khichdi with soft-cooked vegetables or vegetable soup with rice.

Additional Tips:

Encourage self-feeding by giving small, bite-sized portions.

Avoid foods that are choking hazards, such as whole nuts, grapes, or popcorn.

Stay clear of too much salt, sugar, or spicy foods.

Would you like more specific meal ideas or recipes?