Foods for a One Year Old Baby Boy

Parents begin weaning their baby off breast milk and begin introducing solid foods when the child is around 1 year old. At this age, your child will have developed his fine motor skills and will be keen to use his newly mastered pincer grip to eat foods of varying textures and flavors. You may wish to introduce a spoon or other eating apparatus around this age.

Fruits

• Fruits are nutrient dense and rich in vitamins and minerals essential for your child's development. Chunks of soft fruits such as bananas and ripe pears make the perfect sweet treat or dessert. Try baking harder fruits such as apples to soften them. Alternatively, berries such as blueberries will offer varying textures and favors.

Vegetables

• Vegetables are another great source of important nutrients. Experiment with a wide variety of vegetables to ensure he gets a diverse range of vitamins and minerals. The introduction of new tastes is important to find out what your child likes and dislikes. Cooked peas, chopped carrots and sprigs of asparagus and broccoli are all healthy choices.

Carbohydrates

• At age 1, your boy will become increasingly active. Carbohydrates will provide the energy needed to maintain a healthy active lifestyle. Complex carbohydrates from whole grains, wholewheat and brown rice should be favored over refined carbohydrates and simple sugars. Complex carbohydrates provide a sustained source of energy and prevent highly elevated blood-sugar levels. Well-cooked brown rice or wholewheat pasta are great finger foods. Softly toasted breads or bagels are healthy alternatives. Popcorn or plain rice cakes make great snacks.

Protein

• Protein is essential for maintaining and repairing muscle and connective tissue and is a diet essential for children at this age. Slices of hard boiled eggs or scrambled eggs are are a great way to get protein. Small chunks of chicken or white fish are other good alternatives. Tofu and quinoa are healthy vegetarian choices offering good protein content.