Top 10 Food Ideas For 14-Month-Baby

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Your baby will turn 14 months old in a few days, and you suddenly notice that they begin to show disinterest in foods they loved earlier, leaving you wondering about some food ideas for 14 months baby that could help give the required nourishment to your little one. Until the one-year mark, your baby’s nutritional needs are fulfilled by the mother’s milk or formula. Nonetheless, as they cross this mark and enter toddlerhood, their dietary needs increase substantially.

With most toddlers turning fussy eaters by the 14th month, it becomes hard for parents to comprehend and select the foods to be given to their children to fulfill their growing nutritional demands. Plunge into this post as we present you with some easy yet super healthy food ideas to feed your selective 14-month-old. However, ensure to feed with a safe baby fork that is convenient and reduces the risk of scratching from the usual fork.

Read on to find out about 14 month old baby food:

Meal Planning Tips

14-month-olds are at a phase of transitioning to more solid foods, though they may still be breastfeeding or drinking formula. Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth transition.

• Include a good mix of proteins, whole grains, colorful vegetables, and fruits of different flavors and textures in balanced portions.
• Ensure food is well cooked and cut so that it is easy to be picked up with their hands.
• Offer dips and spreads made from nuts, legumes, yogurt, vegetables, and fruits to make the meal more wholesome.
• Establish regular meal and snack times to create a routine. Do not replace meals with liquids like milk if the child refuses to eat.
• Have options for the child to choose from, and avoid coercing the child into eating what they don’t like.
• Ensure they drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid sugary drinks, caffeinated beverages, sodas, and fast foods.
• Offer unsweetened fresh fruit juices, soups, yogurt smoothies, tender coconut water, and animal or plant-based milk to drink.
• Be mindful of potential allergies and avoid including them. Introduce new foods one at a time and watch for any reactions.
• Eat together whenever possible and let them see you enjoying a variety of healthy foods.

Top Food Ideas For A 14-Month-Old Baby

1. Grains

Grains must make up a significant portion of a 14-month-old child. You can choose whole grains like oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and brown rice for babies, or serve your child a serving of vegetable pasta. You can also sneak in some wholesome food while preparing the dish. Try to incorporate at least one serving (one serving for a baby is one-quarter of an adult’s serving) of grain into your baby’s diet. A strong addition to the 14 month old baby food plan.

Nutrition fact

Whole grain is a good source of B vitamins that help release energy from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (4).

2. Fruits

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Tasty and sumptuous fruits will make great add- ons to any meal. They are a source of several nutrients that your toddler will need for the day. You must try to include one serving of fruit at each meal. One serving of fruit for a toddler is equal to 1/4th cup of fruit. Cut a ripe fruit into small pieces and serve to your baby. You may also consider making fruit jams and purees as a dip for various foods. Further, fruits may also be added to salads, oatmeal, pancakes, smoothies, and flavored yogurt.

3. Vegetables

Colorful vegetables will make a healthy addition to your toddler’s diet. Do not serve raw veggies to your baby. Steam the vegetables until tender and cut them into small pieces to prevent choking. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), over half of the choking episodes in children occur due to food. So ensure to prepare veggies in age-appropriate forms. Season them with minimal salt and pepper and serve. Include at least one vitamin-C-rich veggie in your baby’s diet. Veggie sticks can also help soothe a baby’s teething pain.

Quick tip

To encourage your child to eat more vegetables, serve them in creative ways. They can be roasted in butter or seasoned with herbs and spices. You may also serve them with dips to enhance the flavor (5).

4. Juice

Juices are an interesting addition to your toddler’s healthy diet regimen. If you are thinking of serving juice to your baby, then choose 100% juice to avoid preservatives and added sugar. Limit the serving to not more than 6 ounces a day.

5. Milk

Milk should make up most of your 14th-month-old and is the most commonly used dairy product for kids. A ½ cup of milk equals to one serving. Choose full-fat milk for your toddler. Limit the milk intake to not more than 16 ounces a day.

6. Egg

Image: IStock

Eggs, with its high protein, iron, choline, vitamin B12 and folate, will make perfect food for toddlers. Scrambled eggs with veggies is among the quick egg recipes for toddlers. Or mash the boiled egg with a fork and sprinkle some grated cheese over it.

7. Beans

Beans are an excellent substitute for meats at meals.

You can serve beans with vitamin c rich fruits and vegetables to increase the absorption of iron in your little one’s body. Make sure you chop or mash the beans into bite-sized pieces. Always serve well cooked beans.

Point to consider

If your child has a gluten allergy, beans are a good alternative. Beans are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, such as folate, riboflavin, and iron (6).

8. Cheese

Cheese is one food that kids of all ages love. Add grated cheese to vegetables, eggs or beans to round a meal. Apart from being an excellent source of protein, cheese also contains calcium and protein, nutrients that are critical for a growing child.

9. Lean Meat

Choose lean sources of meat like poultry or fish for your 14-month-old. A serving of meat for a 14-month-old should consist of 1 ounce of meat. Do not serve him more than the recommended amount as protein sources should make the smallest portion of your child’s daily diet.The 14 months baby food is extremely delicious with lean meat!

10. Breastmilk

Image: IStock

If your baby continues to breastfeed, then it is good news for you. Breast milk will provide him with all the calories, enzymes, vitamins and valuable immunities. Breastfed toddlers get sick less often, and nursing will also create a strong bond between you and your baby.

Infographic: Nutrient-Rich Foods To Include To A 14-Month-Old’s Diet

Children between the ages of one and two years need adequate calorie intake to sustain through an active day. When transitioning from pureed solids to table food, children can be introduced to a variety of eatables, fruits, and vegetables. The following infographic contains a few food ideas for your 14-Month-Old.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Top 10 Ideas For 14 Month Old Baby Food

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Jyoti BenjaminMS, RD, CSO, FAND, CD

Jyoti Benjamin has 25 years of experience as a clinical dietitian and currently works in Seattle. She focuses on teaching people the value of good nutrition and helping them lead healthy lives by natural means.Benjamin has a masters in Foods and Nutrition, and has been a longtime member and Fellow of AND (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) and the International Confederation of Dietetic Association.

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Jessica AlbertBE

Jessica Albert is a passionate writer who seeks to connect with her readers through wit and charm. Her work aims to invoke curiosity and keep the readers engaged through and through. She has two years of experience working with magazines and e-commerce establishments as a content marketer and editor.

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Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

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Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

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