Healthy Baby Beans

Breakfast!  “breaking the fast” or the “most important meal of the day”, either way you put it to words it is time to eat! My first question of the day: “What am I going to feed my baby for breakfast?”.  My second question of the day:  “How am I going to make it brain boosting, nutrient packed, and great tasting?”.  Every time I feed my children I really take time to think about the answer to the second question.  Every time I am at the market I think about natural enrichment ideas.

A typical breakfast for any child  > 6 month old is banana and yogurt.  I have taken a step further and added some powerful additions.  I added black strap molasses (great iron source), flaxseed oil and chia seeds (both have healthy fats).

•  Mash the banana to the consistency my baby is developmentally ready to chew/gum.
•  Add a drop or two of flaxseed oil.
•  Add a drizzle/drop or drizzle of blackstrap molasses.  Pay attention to the brand because not all blackstrap molasses are created equal.  House of Herbs has a very high concentration of iron.

• Now for the chia seed!  Add 1/2 teaspoon.  If you are worried your child may not digest them or have issues with the high fiber content, introduce after a year.  You can also soak (2 tbsp per 1 cup of fluid) the chia seed in water or breast milk for 4-6 hours prior to serving.
• Chia seeds are great for little babies because they are high in Omega 3 fatty acids which are need for brain development!  Did you know your brain is 60% fat and you produce all of your brain cells by the time you are two?  Hmmmm, sounds like a good idea to get some healthy fats into my baby’s diet!
• We finally add a cereal (commercial single grain or a homemade rice) to help thicken it up to the consistency to meet the motor skills of your child.