6 Thanksgiving Foods That Make Great Meals for Baby
Photo: Getty / The BumpOf course, you want baby to get into the holiday spirit on Thursday, and if you’re considering letting her try a little bit of what you’re having, go for it! There are some Thanksgiving foods that make perfect baby purees and finger foods. (Obviously, only give these to your baby if she’s started on solids and you know she’s ready for these particular foods!)
Sweet potatoes
Cooked sweet potatoes are easy to mash, and they’re rich in beta-carotene, which is good for baby’s vision, skin, growth and immune system.
Turkey
Yup, believe it or not, many pediatricians are now recommending introducing meats into baby’s diet fairly early (ask yours). Turkey is rich in protein and iron (if it’s dark meat). It can be pureed with a little water or fruit, or chopped into teeny pieces for a toddler who’s already a good chewer.
Pumpkin
Before you fill your pie, put aside some pumpkin for baby. It’s rich in beta carotene, and has protein and potassium, too. Ideally, you want to use fresh pumpkin to bake and puree for baby, but if you’re getting it out of a can, that’s fine too. Just double check that you’re not giving her “pumpkin pie mix,” which can have added sugar, starch and other stuff you probably don’t want her to have.
Apples
Same goes if you’re making an apple pie! Apples pack punches of vitamin C and fiber, and they taste great too! Bake some apples for baby and make them into applesauce. Most doctors will agree they’re great as one of baby’s first solid foods.
Green beans
Another food approved for early eaters is green beans — good news if you’re already stocking up for a casserole. These greens have vitamin C, iron, potassium, calcium and more. They’re also easy to prepare: just steam and then puree (just make sure the skins get completely mushed up — they can be stubborn!).
Squash
Butternut and acorn squashes are two of our favorite baby foods. Cut them in half, bake, scoop and puree (or cut into pieces, if your kid is older). They make the house smell amazing! Plus, they’ve got fiber, protein, potassium and calcium.
What foods are you going to give baby on Thanksgiving?
Plus, more from The Bump:
The Best and Worst Foods for Baby
Baby Food Recipes for Every Stage
How to Make Your Own Baby Food
The Knot Blog
The Nest Blog
ANY food can be cooked and pureed (and many need to be strained) to feed to baby depending on age. If it’s too thick when pureed, add water to thin to a paste or thinner. It’s much simpler, as this post suggests, than many parents realize.
I had no idea about being able to introduce meats earlier than a year. Seems like all of the women who I get advice from have the “outdated” info on this one, possibly. I will ask his pedi and see if he gives us an okay for those. Excited to introduce some pumpkin in with his oatmeal tomorrow for Thanksgiving!!
My pediatrician wanted my daughter to start on cereal and fruits at 4 months, cereal first then introducing the fruits one at a time, then veggies and meat at 6 months. I asked her if this was the ‘norm’ or if my daughter was on a special diet. Doc said that pattern of eating is now the norm. My daughter turned a year old on Thanksgiving this year, and got to enjoy many new foods due to her many chompers