Nutrients your growing bub needs!

All growth and body functions require dietary nutrients to work optimally. Some of the most biologically necessary nutrients for babies (and adults!) depend entirely on dietary intake, as the body is not able to produce these nutrients on its own. Feeding practices in the first 2 to 3 years of your bubs’ life are crucial in ensuring their mental and physical development. Sadly, around the world in both developed and developing nations, common feeding practices can be significantly sub-optimal (nutrient wise) and even harmful to infant development. Emotional regulation centers, cognitive development, the immune system, and learning competencies are all established in these formative years and as such, poor nutrition can implicate attention and social skill deficits, learning and behavioral problems, increased risk of infections, and growth retardation.

IRON

Red blood cell development and immunity

Meat (particularly red meat), fortified cereals, legumes, tofu, cooked spinach.

OMEGA-3 FATS

Essential for brain development and activity, immune and skin health

Salmon, sardines, avocado, nuts (walnuts), seeds (flax seeds, chia)

VITAMIN A

Skin, immune and digestive tract integrity

Meat, salmon, eggs, dairy, pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot, dark green veg

VITAMIN C

Immune system development and healthy cellular activity

Berries, citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, broccoli, capsicum

CALCIUM

Bone density, development, and growth

Dairy, broccoli, green leafy veg, tofu, almonds

PROTEIN

Cell structure, growth, and development

Meat, poultry, seafood, legumes (beans, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans), eggs, nuts (almonds, peanuts), seeds (flax seeds, chia), dairy

B VITAMINS

Brain and metabolic activity

Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, whole grains, legumes (beans, lentils), seeds and nuts (sunflower seeds, almonds), dark leafy veg, beans

VITAMIN D

Healthy bone development, immune system, and cellular activity

Oily fish (salmon, sardines, herring), fortified cereals, dairy, eggs, mushrooms