#asktheexpert
my daughter will turning one after 10 days
what should I add in her diet for her well development and growth ?

Question

#asktheexpert 
my daughter will turning one after 10 days
what should I add in her diet for her well development and growth ?

Accepted Answer

As your daughter turns 1, this is a crucial time for her development. At this age, you can begin introducing a variety of foods to ensure she gets the nutrients she needs for growth and development. Here's a balanced diet plan for your 1-year-old:

1. Breast Milk or Formula

If you are breastfeeding, continue as long as possible. Breast milk provides essential antibodies and nutrients.

If not breastfeeding, you can continue giving her full-fat formula milk. You can also start introducing whole cow’s milk, but keep an eye on any potential allergies or intolerance.

2. Solid Foods

At 12 months, your baby should be eating a wider range of solid foods. You can begin offering her meals similar to what the family is eating, but in age-appropriate portions and textures.

Fruits and Vegetables: Offer a variety of fruits and vegetables like mashed bananas, apple puree, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, peas, and soft cooked vegetables like broccoli or spinach. Offer soft, cooked veggies that she can pick up herself, like carrot sticks or small chunks of avocado.

Whole Grains: You can start giving her whole grains like oats, soft cooked quinoa, and small pieces of whole wheat bread, pasta, or rice. You can also make porridge or kheer with these grains.

Protein: Introduce lean proteins like scrambled eggs, boiled chicken pieces, or lentils. Soft cooked dal (lentils) and well-cooked beans are excellent sources of plant-based protein.

Dairy: At 1 year, you can introduce plain full-fat yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products. These are rich in calcium and help with bone development.

Healthy Fats: Add healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, and ghee to her meals for extra energy and to support brain development.

3. Finger Foods

Encourage self-feeding with finger foods, which can help with fine motor skills. Some good options are small pieces of fruit (like soft banana slices), cheese cubes, crackers, or small bits of pancake or bread.

4. Water

Introduce water in a sippy cup or regular cup. Encourage your child to drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

5. Snacks

Healthy snacks can include pieces of fruit, cheese sticks, small crackers, or whole grain muffins. You can also offer homemade smoothies made with fruits and yogurt.

6. Avoid Foods That Pose a Choking Risk

Avoid whole nuts, hard fruits or vegetables, hot dogs, large chunks of food, and anything that might pose a choking hazard. Always supervise your child while eating.

7. Balance and Variety

Ensure that her meals are well-balanced and provide a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. You can offer her different tastes and textures, but always avoid added sugar and salt.

8. Meal Frequency

At this stage, your child will typically have 3 meals a day plus 1-2 snacks in between. Make sure to introduce a consistent routine and keep meal times calm and enjoyable.

9. Developmental Considerations

Offer new textures and encourage chewing. If your baby hasn’t yet started chewing, continue offering soft foods and gradually progress to chunkier textures as she gets better at it.

10. Monitor Allergies

Continue to be mindful of any food allergies. Introduce new foods one at a time and wait a few days before trying another new food to identify any reactions.

By providing a balanced and varied diet, you’ll help support your daughter’s growth, energy levels, and development in her first year.

#asktheexpert my daughter will turning one after 10 days what should I add in her diet for her well development and growth ?