Tag: health
Weaning
I started weaning Imogen when she was almost 6 months old. We experimented with different foods and textures which made weaning really enjoyable and a good way to introduce Imogen to new flavours.
Each day I’d give Imogen a teaspoon or two of pureed organic carrots or pureed organic pears which are very gentle on a baby’s tummy. I always try to use organic produce for the benefit of my family’s health.
Imogen eating pureed organic butternut squash and carrots
Imogen has the East Coast Multi Height Highchair and I highly recommend it. It’s made of solid wood and grows with your child, becoming a chair which is suitable for use for children up to the age of 10 years old. When I introduced baby led weaning it was great to use the tray table as a large plate to lay out the assortment of foods for Imogen to try.
Some of my favourite no-cook baby foods are mashed banana and mashed avocado. Banana’s are easy to digest, sweet to taste and provide slow release sugars for sustained energy. Avocados are full of nutrients and help to boost the immune system as they contain the antioxidant vitamin E.
You can read more about our experiences with weaning:
Going Organic? A Good Place To Start
There’s a vast amount of information available concerning foods you should and shouldn’t eat.
My advice is to keep things simple and natural. As a Nutritional Advisor and a Mum this equates to good, wholesome, fresh, organic foods.
Going organic has become fashionable over the last decade and I seem to find new organic food producers each week. There’s a great selection of organic ready meals for babies and toddlers with the likes of Organix, Ella’s Kitchen and Plum.
Popular providers of UK organic produce that can be delivered to your door are Riverford and Abel & Cole.
But despite all the hype and marketing, there really is good reason for you and your family to eat organic foods.
Organic produce is better for your health. And it tastes better. If I eat non-organic I certainly notice the difference in flavour and freshness.
Organic fruit and vegetables aren’t sprayed with the herbicides, pesticides and fungicides that can lead to cancer.
So if you’re thinking of going organic where’s a good place to start?
Go organic on dairy and buy or grow your own organic apples and organic potatoes. Your average non-organic apple and potato are doused in more herbicides, pesticides and fungicides than other fruits and vegetables.
Organic produce is slightly more expensive than non-organic produce. To me the difference is worth it and we cut back on our spending in other ways so we can afford to buy organic produce.
I see it as an investment in the health of my family and to me this is paramount.
Riverford Veg Box
There are ways to save when buying organic produce. Every time I visit my local Waitrose supermarket I scan the organic fruit and veg aisle for offers. Frequently I buy produce half price because it’s reached the Display Until date so if eaten that day or the next it’s still fresh.
Another great way to get your fresh organic produce and have it delivered straight to your door is to order a Veg Box. We tried a Riverford Veg Box and it really was the bees knees. That week we feasted on freshly picked organic fruit and veg grown in the UK. Truly delicious and without the pesticides and air miles.
And tonight I’m dreaming of my own garden where I can grow organic fruit and veg for my family!
Are you thinking of going organic?
Vitamin D
Holland & Barrett – Vitamin D3 (25ug) £7.99 for 100 tablets
But sometimes it can be more difficult to get the vitamins and minerals you need from food only. A good example is Vitamin D which is required by everyone for healthy bones, immune system health and the maintenance of normal muscle function.
Vitamin D can be absorbed through our skin from the sun but many people in the Northern Hemisphere struggle to maintain the required levels of Vitamin D in this way as our weather is often cloudy, we spend a lot of time indoors due to primarily working in offices and we (sensibly) use sun cream during the summer months.
As we age the body may not convert vitamin D from sunlight as easily. In this case it can be highly beneficial to take Vitamin D supplements to satisfy the increase in the recommended intake.
My husband and I are in our mid 30’s and take Vitamin D3 daily (25µg, one tablet per day) to support the healthy functioning of our immune system and bone health.
Vitabiotics – WellKid Baby & Infant Liquid; Suitable from 3 months to 5 years
Government health experts recommend that babies over the age of 6 months supplement the vitamins A, C and D. Vitabiotics – WellKid Baby & Infant Liquid also includes B and E vitamins and the minerals iron and zinc to help safeguard your growing infant’s nutritional intake and for a healthy immune system.
Babies and infants have a high nutrient requirement in relation to their body size to support their rapid physical growth and the development of healthy bones, muscles, blood and the brain.
