Once your baby switches to solids, it’s important to offer him or her a good range of wholesome foods to boost their development and pave the way to a lifelong habit of healthy eating. We’ve listed 7 superfoods that are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients for growing tots.

1. Sweet Potato

Orange-fleshed sweet potato is packed with beta-carotene and Vitamin A – two essential nutrients crucial for the healthy development of your baby’s eyes. In addition, the naturally sweet root veggie is also a good source of potassium, calcium, and Vitamins C and B-complex.

Try this Chestnut and Sweet Potato Soup recipe for a quick and wholesome meal.

2. Broccoli

Besides being rich in Vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants, broccoli also has high levels of calcium and Vitamin K, as well as good amounts of magnesium, zinc, and phosphorous – all contributing to good bone health. However, you might want to hold off adding broccoli to your baby’s diet until he’s 10 months old as it may cause excess gas.

For an easy side dish, this Chinese Style Sesame Broccoli recipe only takes minutes to dish up. 

3. Papaya

Papaya’s soft, succulent flesh makes it the ideal weaning food for babies to munch on while adding Vitamins C and A to their diet, which boosts the immunity system and promotes good eyesight respectively. Enzymes in papaya also help improve digestion.

This makes tinolang manok a great soup for the whole family – simply blend a portion for the little one and save it in a Thermos® Food Jar to savour on-the-go.

4. Blueberries

Thanks to its exceptionally high levels of antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, and Vitamins A, E, K and B-complex, blueberries aid in maintaining the nervous system and general cognitive well-being. Unlike strawberries and other berries from the Rosaceae family of plants, blueberries belong to the Ericaceae family, which carry far lower allergic risk.

While they’re a great snack on their own, try blending a handful into smoothies or yoghurts to make a flavourful homemade treat for your child.

5. Avocados

Avocados didn’t start a whole breakfast revolution without reason – they contain the highest protein count of any fruit and are rich in wholesome monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. Growing tots will also benefit from the higher calorie content.

A fuss-free superfood, simply mash up ripe avocados for the little one, or turn it into a refreshing Chilled Avocado Soup for the whole family.

6. Salmon

Babies benefit greatly from the high levels of protein and omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon as they help boost brain, nerve and eye development. When serving salmon to your baby for the first time, be prepared for rejection as it is an acquired taste for their young palate.

To coax your little one, try blending cooked salmon with tasty veggies, like pumpkin and carrot, to mellow out the fishy flavour.

7. Yoghurt

This creamy, tangy treat is rich in calcium and Vitamin D, which are necessary for healthy bones and teeth, as well as probiotics that help regulate gut health. Be sure to only feed your baby plain, organic yoghurt made from whole cow’s milk and avoid flavoured versions as they contain too much sugar. Do also look out for brands with more live cultures.

Trying making your own batch in a Thermos® Shuttle Chef® by mixing lukewarm boiled milk with natural yoghurt and let it sit for 6 hours before transferring to the fridge. Feel free to stir in pureed fresh fruits before serving.