Seeing as we are an avocado family (my hubby & company grow them) it was only natural that avocado be Amalia’s first food. Now I will be honest that it was not the absolute first food for the
other three as they had the “oh so tasty” rice cereal for their first food (for those of you that have tasted rice cereal you know I am being facetious).
However, when it came time for Amalia’s first bite of food we decided to try something other than rice cereal and that something was avocado. To make sure it was okay to introduce avocado to our 4 month old my hubby went to Dr. Google on this one and sure enough avocado makes for an excellent first food. And yes, before you get too judgy, I know that Google isn’t always the best way to seek health knowledge, but in this case I trusted it. I also trusted my instincts- something all too often overlooked.
Here are some of the excellent reasons why the nutrient dense avocado makes for a perfect (first) baby food according to Wholesome Baby Food.
The Goodness of Avocado for your baby:
Avocados are often called one of nature’s perfect foods because they are said to contain everything a person needs to survive. A wonderful “good fat” food for baby’s brain and physical development, try an avocado as baby’s first food instead of refined cereals.
“Sodium- and cholesterol- free, avocados contain valuable nutrients including 8% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for folate; 4% DV for fiber and potassium, 4% DV for vitamin E; and 2% DV for iron. A serving of avocado also contains 81 micrograms of the carotenoid lutein and 19 micrograms of beta-carotene. Per serving, avocados have 3.5 grams of unsaturated fats, which are known to be important for normal growth and development of the central nervous system and brain.” californiaavocado.com
Avocado is a wonderful first food for baby. An avocado is smooth and creamy when mashed – a perfect food that will be more readily accepted as baby begins solids. Avocado may be offered as early as 4 – 6 months old. Babies need carbohydrates, and fats as well as proteins for their growth during the crucial first year and even into the second year.
As you begin to introduce a wide variety of foods, you will find that mashing an avocado and mixing with applesauce, peaches or pears, bananas and even yogurt make a wonderful meal or snack.
Read more here.
For even more nutrition information and recipes visit The California Avocado Commission website.
Finally, I can tell you from my hubby’s own time spent on avocado nutrition boards and committees that all that is said about the avocado being the perfect food and full of good fats is true. It is loaded with nutrients for you and the whole the family- baby included! Plus, it tastes amazing too… and that is not always the case when it comes to food that is good for you. It would be like saying chocolate cake is actually good for you. Since that is never going to happen I am extra grateful for foods like the avocado. And judging from Amalia’s reaction she loves them as well. xx
P.S.- to see if your baby is ready to try solids use this checklist.
Photo Credit: Top Image // Boston Magazine; Bottom Image // Brixy
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