Which Foods When Chart - Leahy Chiropractic (Page 2 of 2) in pdf

Between 6-12 months of age, babies are yet to develop proper digestive function, so keep foods plain and simple.

Young babies do not display fussiness or boredom with foods like toddlers can, so do not rush to introduce too

many foods. Remember to oﬀer foods one at a time, with around a week between items.

Rather than starting your baby with a fruit (generally high in sugar), many nutritional books suggest a pureed

vegetable. Other authors discuss the beneﬁts of foods in their natural state, such as avocado. While classiﬁed as

a fruit, avocado is low in sugar and rich in important oils and minerals, including iron and vitamins. Additional

iron is important at this stage (when breast milk is becoming deﬁcient) as it is needed to strengthen immunity

and brain function.

You can begin by mixing avocado with breast milk. Avocado is easily digested and is a wonderful ﬁrst food for

your baby. These fruits are also easy to pack for outings. Rather than cutting your avocado down the middle, you

may like to simply cut oﬀ the top third and scoop out the fruit this way. This also helps to keep the avocado

fresh, and makes it easy to transport.

If avocados are not in season, move straight to a recommended vegetable.

PICK A VEGETABLE, AND THEN A FRUIT

Growing babies need a variety of vitamins and minerals. It is therefore important to alternate between vegetables

and fruits. You may like to start with pureed zucchini because of its high water content. Then pick a

recommended fruit that is in season and then another vegetable.

We chose mango, initially mixing the mango (or next menu item) with the avocado. Alternatively, we would strip

our baby s clothes oﬀ, place him in the sink and simply left him to devour the mango. Messy but delicious!

Between six and nine months continue to alternate between vegetables and fruit, following the applicable time

frames as outlined in the Which Foods When Chart.

Once you have introduced some of these fruits and vegetables you may like to combine items, for example,

mixing avocado with pear or zucchini. Remember to prioritize produce that is in season.

An infant s digestive system is better served during this period by not oﬀering too many raw fruits. Try steaming,

stewing or baking then pureeing, as often as you can.

FRUITS OR VEGETABLES TO WITHHOLD

Avoid spinach, beetroot, carrots and collard greens (which are rich in nitrates) until after nine months.

Nitrates can alter the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen.

Avoid potatoes, tomatoes, capsicums and eggplant (from the nightshade family) at this stage. They can

be introduced at approximately 12 months. These plants contain natural toxins which may provoke

gradual reactions. Sweet potato and corn are best delayed until ten months.

Avoid apples, citrus and dried fruits before nine months

Avoid bananas for a few more months as they are mucus=producing and can slow digestion, resulting in

constipation.

Barham-Floreani, Dr. Jennifer., Well Adjusted Babies. Vitality Productions Pty Ltd, 2005.

Which Foods When Chart - Leahy Chiropractic Page 2