Doctors’ Notes

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Solid Foods: Nutritional Lunches

By 11 months of age, babies are becoming more active participants in meals and broadening their horizon of food choices. They are also quite good at regulating their food intake. At this point, encourage variety by offering foods from different food groups throughout the day, and remember to try new foods one at a time for about three days, to ensure they agree with your little one.

For your 11-month old who’s eating solids, finger foods and cut-up food from the table can be offered for lunch at daycare. Include items from three different food groups to create a meal. Choose from the items listed here:

• Diced, well-cooked vegetables such as carrots, green beans, squash, and broccoli
• Small chunks of banana or avocado
• Fruit cut into small cubes or thin strips, such as pears or apples
• Blueberries sliced in half, or grapes sliced in quarters
• Sliced cheese, tiny cheese cubes, or “string” cheese
• Yogurt or cottage cheese
• Beans and legumes, such as lentils, black beans or cannelini beans, steamed edamame (soybeans) or small chunks of tofu
• Finely diced chicken or turkey
• Whole wheat macaroni or diced penne pasta, rice pasta, or small pieces of rice cake
• Whole wheat crackers or tortilla, or small pieces of whole wheat bagel

Since serving too much food may be overwhelming for baby, start with just a few pieces from each food group, adding more small tidbits as he eats them.

Anne Marie Kuchera, MS, MA, RD, is a registered dietician and board-eligible national certified counselor.