44 | SEPTEMBER 2019 | L&L
GREENLEAFYVEGETABLES
AND BEETROOT
If you’re introducing solids
before six months of age, be
cautious about giving your
baby green leafy vegetables
and beetroot as the nitrate
contained in these is too high
for your little one to process.
While it’s true that green leafy
vegetables and beetroot contain
nitrates, it doesn’t mean you can’t
offer your baby these foods, says
Cath. “Large amounts of nitrates
can negatively affect the blood
counts of your baby, but this is
more likely to be an issue if your
water supply is too high in nitrates
as opposed to the amounts found
in food. According to the World
Health Organization, solids should
be offered from six months. If you
follow these recommendations,
the risk for nitrate toxicity is
reduced. Babies who are under
the age of three months are
particularly susceptible to nitrate
toxicity. However, after six months
of age, your baby’s stomach
acids have further developed
and he becomes less at risk
for problems,” explains Cath.
“If you offer your baby a
variety of foods, it’s unlikely that
nitrates would be a problem
as your little one will not be
eating beetroot three times
a day,” explains Cath.
You can introduce beets
to your little one’s diet
from around six months, but
only in small portions. Start
by pureéing the beet, then
mashing it with a fork, then
grating it and eventually
move on to cutting it in
cubes when he can
tolerate finger foods.
Beets are a good
source of fibre, potassium
and vitamin C.Foods to be cautiousof
SALT AND SUGAR
The addition of extra table salt to complementary foods is not
recommended, but you shouldn’t exclude salt from your baby’s diet
altogether. “Iodised salt is an important source of iodine, which is necessary
for the growth and mental development of infants,” says Cath.
However, don’t offer your baby snacks like crisps and drinks that contain
large amounts of added sugar and salt during the first year. “Low nutrient-
dense liquids, such as tea and coffee, energy-dense sugar-sweetened drinks,
an excessive intake of fruit juice and high-fat and salty snacks exacerbate poor
nutrient intake and displace nutrient-dense food in the diet,” explains Cath.CITRUS
Citrus fruits are good sources
of vitamin C, but they must
be given to your baby in
the right way. Always peel
the fruit first and separate
the segments before
giving it to your baby.BERRIES
Berries are a good source of
polyphenols. They can be offered to
your little one as pureé once you start
introducing solids. Only give your little
one berries cut in pieces when he is
between eight and nine months old
as they can be a choking hazard.