First Baby Food Recipes: 10 Easy and Nutritious Ideas

Weaning has begun and you're wondering what to prepare? Here are 10 simple, nutritious recipes suitable for the first months of complementary feeding. All without salt and without added sugar.

Ground rules

• No salt until 12 months (the baby's kidneys aren't ready)
• No added sugar
• Use extra virgin olive oil drizzled raw (one teaspoon per serving)
• Cook by steaming, boiling, or baking -- avoid frying
• Store in the fridge for 24 hours or in the freezer for 2 months in individual portions

The recipes

1. Zucchini and potato puree

The classic first baby food -- gentle and well tolerated.

• 1 small zucchini
• 1 medium potato
• 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Steam for 15 minutes. Blend with a little cooking water until you reach the desired consistency. Add the oil raw.

2. Carrot and red lentil puree

Rich in iron and plant-based protein.

• 1 carrot
• 2 tablespoons of hulled red lentils
• 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Cook the lentils and carrot in water for 20 minutes. Blend everything and add the oil.

3. Rice and pumpkin baby food

Naturally sweet -- almost every baby loves it.

• 2 tablespoons of rice cereal
• 100g of pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Steam the pumpkin. Prepare the rice cereal with water or vegetable broth. Mix together and add the oil.

4. Chicken with sweet potato

The first animal protein -- easy to digest.

• 30g of chicken breast
• 1 small sweet potato
• 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Steam the chicken for 15 minutes. Bake or steam the sweet potato. Blend together with a little water and the oil.

5. Pea and mint puree

Fresh, colorful, and rich in plant-based protein.

• 80g of peas (fresh or frozen)
• 2-3 small fresh mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Cook the peas for 10 minutes. Blend with the mint and oil.

6. Cod with broccoli

A delicate white fish, rich in omega-3.

• 30g of cod fillet
• 3-4 broccoli florets
• 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Steam everything for 12 minutes. Blend or mash with a fork for older babies.

7. Oats with pear and cinnamon

A hearty breakfast or snack.

• 2 tablespoons of small oat flakes
• 1 ripe pear
• A pinch of cinnamon

Cook the oats in breast milk, formula, or water. Cook the pear and mash it. Mix everything together with the cinnamon.

8. Banana and avocado puree

No cooking required -- ready in 2 minutes.

• Half a ripe banana
• A quarter of a ripe avocado

Mash everything with a fork. You can add a little breast milk or formula to adjust the consistency.

9. Turkey with zucchini and tiny pasta

For when your baby is ready for less smooth textures (7-8 months).

• 30g of ground turkey
• 1 small zucchini
• 2 tablespoons of tiny pasta
• 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Cook the turkey in a non-stick pan without oil. Cook the zucchini and pasta in vegetable broth. Combine everything and add the oil.

10. Plain yogurt with fruit

The perfect snack from 6 months on.

• 2 tablespoons of plain whole yogurt (no sugar)
• Seasonal fruit, blended or mashed

Mix and serve. Vary the fruit each day.

Weaning doesn't have to be complicated. Simple ingredients, basic cooking, no salt. Your baby's palate is a blank page -- write it well.