With so many baby-related books on the market, how can parents know when they have their hands on a winning one?
When it comes to the ever popular topic of home made baby food, the advice you get (and take) can seriously impact your baby's digestive system and can make (or break) the relationship your baby has with food for the rest of her life. As with diapers, breast feeding, and birthing, I felt like I needed some guidance to understand the complex world of solid foods. Though every baby eventually eats solid foods and it is seemingly "no-brainer", I think parents need to take a more active role in introducing healthy eating habits to their children. Understanding nutrition and embracing a healthy lifestyle better sets up our children for a successful relationship with food.
So, where can a new parent turn for great, healthy advice?
This book is, for a new parent anyway, a page-turner. At about 500 pages, it is a comprehensive, all-encompassing instructional manual on solid foods for babies through toddlers. The basic premise: don't fill your baby up with empty calories... give your baby the gift of super foods (brown rice instead of white rice, whole grains instead of refined grains, myriad of foods instead of the same ol' same ol'). Many times parents do not give their children "super foods" because they assume their children will not like them; other times, they do not even eat these foods themselves or they are not aware of "super foods". Breastfed babies already have acquired tastes for a variety of foods because they have had small amounts through mommy milk!
Don't assume your baby will not enjoy a hearty green like kale or a combination of brown rice and banana. Give it a try! You might be pleasantly surprised. For many people, having a child sheds light on lifestyle choices that may benefit from slight alteration. Aren't we always looking toward the future?
Let me state that there is nothing wrong with the occassional treat or candy-they are kids after all... but lets focus on the bulk of the diet being from super foods!
Back to the book.........
Yaron breaks the book into five main parts, each of which is packed with information. Here is a brief breakdown of what each section covers:
1) Feeding Your Super Baby: starting food; month by month lists of acceptable foods; allergies; how much to eat/drink; meal time vis a vis baby development; the super food diet:
"The Super Food Diet is an extremely healthy diet composed of only whole, natural foods. It
is based on these major components: whole grain cereals, vegetables and fruits, yogurt and
other dairy products, eggs, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Pediatricians and nutritionists agree
that a semi-vegetarian diet fulfills all of your growing baby's nutritional requirements."
(pg. 119)
2) Preparation and Storage of Super Baby Food: equiptment; hygeine; freezing and thawing; description and hints for diet components listed above, including recipes; meat introduction; home made yogurt
3) Toddler Recipes: over 350 amazing and healthy recipes drawing on "super cereal" and "super foods"; tips on yogurt, tofu, breads, pasta, crepes, agar agar, beverages, and super milks (much more!)
4) Fun Stuff: food decorating; party planning; arts and crafts
5) Reference: nutrional information on specific foods; home made baby food accessories; baby-safe cleaning products and recipes; nutrient tables with baby-size portions
Bottom line=starting good eating habits early is vital to your child's development and outlook on food and nutrition. There is a time and place for sweet treats, just remember to provide your child with a balanced, super foods diet.
