As my boy started on semi solid food, I was quite floored with what to give him. You may wonder, he is my No. 3, I should have it down pat, no problems whatsoever. Well, apart from the fact that each child is different, a more important reason is the point that all my previous kiddos were taken care of by my mum. Yea, so call her and ask. Ermmmm...you see, my mum can't remember either! It is rather long ago and seriously, it can be hard to recall!
My mum do have the basics, like pork, veggies, carrots, fish etc. However, I find that my boy can be rather aware of the food taken, not only when taking it - includes spitting out food with textures that he dislike, to his actual bodily reaction - constipation etc. I remember the first time we tried fish and within the very first spoonful, he made us all very aware that he hated the texture - I was wiping the whole spoonful off his face, neck, clothes, chair etc. It was everywhere else except where it should be, his mouth! He made his point, loud and clear!
We trialed and error several menus and finally found these that are palatable to him.
Menu A
Porridge stewed in slow cooker with the following:
1) grated potatoes
2) lean pork pieces
3) grated carrots
4) veggies like Chye Sim
5) half an egg
Menu B
Porridge stewed in slow cooker with the following
1) grated sweet potatoes
2) lean pork pieces
3) veggies like Chye Sim
Menu C
Porridge stewed in slow cooker with the following
1) pumpkin
2) lean pork pieces
3) cabbage
The above menu are alternated through the week, with sweet potato menu given only twice a week. The reason for this is because sweet potato gives you softer motion and eating too much may result in looser than wanted motions. I know, been there, done that.
So what are the reason for such a combination?
The basics of lean pork pieces are mainly for the protein and of course the sweetness of the pork. Cooking the porridge with soup stewed from the bones of pig gives even better natural sweetness. The porridge given to my boy is without any additional condiments. It is all natural taste of the food and because it was stewed in a slow cooker, the natural taste of all the ingredients are actually very flavorful!
Another staple will be Chye Sim or Mustard Green. It is one of the most nutritious leafy vegetable as it is high in Vitamin A and K, flavonoid, carotene and anti-oxidant. It also helps to lower cholesterol level and encourage motion movement. It softens easily thus making it easy for toddlers to eat. Cabbage is a great source of Vitamins K & C, fiber, folate and Vitamin B6. It also has a "cooling" effect so excessive diet of this may not be good. Too much cabbage may also give u bloating *burrrp*
Potatoes are added for its source of Vitamin C, iron, riboflavin and carbohydrates. It makes one fuller by taking potatoes along with porridge. Sweet potatoes are packed with calcium, potassium, Vitamins A & C. It is also naturally sweet and is a hit with most toddlers. It also has fiber, beta carotene and Vitamin B6. As mentioned before, it also helps with easier motion movements :) I tend to choose sweet potatoes that are with darker orange flesh as they are said to be packed with more nutrients than their lighter flesh partners. Alternatively, I will buy the Japanese sweet potatoes that has a purple skin. I find that they are sweeter and does not turn the porridge that orange which can look abit funny.
Carrots are packed with beta carotene, calcium, potassium, Vitamins A, B and C. Vitamin A in carrots is important for vision especially prevention of night blindness. It is however a hardier vegetable thus it is grated and stewed for easier eating. However eating too much carrots may cause Carotenemia - a yellowish discoloration of the skin which will typically disappear when on a lower carotene diet :)
Pumpkin is a great source of beta-carotene, carotenoids luetin and zeaxanthin, Vitamins A & C, alpha-hydroxy acids and potassium. It is also naturally sweet and nice smelling, all the more to entice your little one. It cooks easily and its soft smooth texture is easy on the palate as well.
Last but not least, the humble egg. It is high in protein and if you are concern about the fat content, you can choose to leave out some of the yolk. However, I give only half an egg every time so I reckon that should be fine. It also makes for a smoother porridge and more fragrant too!
It's time for some new menus as my boy has been eating these for about 3 months. I intend to re-introduce fish again and hopefully he takes it better. Also plan to introduce some corn, tofu, spinach and chicken. Am cracking my brain (actual both my mum's and mine) on how to combine these foods so that it is balanced and great tasting without adding any condiments. I have always believed that toddlers should not take any condiments and should be left to enjoy the natural good taste of the food itself.
Will update on how the new menus works out :) Bon appetit!
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