As a registered dietitian, I’m constantly thinking about how the food we eat impacts our health and the health of our children.
A child’s first foods can heavily influence their growth and development, as well as their food preferences later in life. That’s why, as a parent or caregiver, it is so important to promote healthy dietary patterns in young children during meal time.
Studies have shown that positive early experiences with fruits and veggies are more likely to result in lifelong consumption, so it is important to find simple ways to incorporate them into a baby’s diet.
With their unique nutrient profile and mild taste, fresh avocados can help children eat more fruits and vegetables.
They’re easy to serve in a variety of ways, including simply mashed, mixed with other fruits and vegetables, or as a topping on another dish. Their soft texture and neutral flavor make them an ideal first food, and they’re sugar-free, which can help avoid starting an early preference for sweet foods. What’s more, because avocados are such a versatile food (and provide an easy-to-mash-with base), it’s easy to use them as the gateway fruit to introduce even more fruits and veggies into your child’s diet.
Fresh avocados have 14 percent of the daily value of fiber (2 grams per 25g serving for children ages 1-3), good fats and nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds.
Love One Today® compensates the experts
