Avocado for Baby
Age for Avocado Introduction to Baby: (4)6-8 Months Old
The Goodness of Avocado.
Avocado makes a great first food for baby due to its texture and creaminess as well as its high nutrient content.
Avocados are often called one of nature's perfect foods because they are said to contain everything a person needs to survive. A wonderful "good fat" food for baby's brain and physical development, try an avocado as baby's first food instead of refined cereals.
"Sodium- and cholesterol- free, avocados contain valuable nutrients including 8% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for folate; 4% DV for fiber and potassium, 4% DV for vitamin E; and 2% DV for iron. A serving of avocado also contains 81 micrograms of the carotenoid lutein and 19 micrograms of beta-carotene. Per serving, avocados have 3.5 grams of unsaturated fats, which are known to be important for normal growth and development of the central nervous system and brain."
Nutrients in Avocados
| VITAMINS: (one cup pureed) | MINERALS: (one medium) |
| Vitamin A - 338 IU | Potassium - 1166 mg |
| Vitamin C - 20.2 mg | Phosphorus - 124 mg |
| Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - .2 mg | Magnesium - 67 mg |
| Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - .3 mg | Calcium - 30 mg |
| Niacin - 3.9 mg | Sodium - 18 mg |
| Folate - 205 mg | Iron - 1.4 mg |
| Pantothenic Acid - 3.3 mg | |
| Vitamin B6 - .6 mg | Also contains small amounts of selenium, manganese, copper and zinc. |
| Contains some other vitamins in small amounts. |
When can I introduce Avocado to my baby?
Avocado is a wonderful first food for baby. An avocado is smooth and creamy when mashed - a perfect food that will be more readily accepted as baby begins solids. Avocado may be offered as early as 4 - 6 months old. Babies need carbohydrates, and fats as well as proteins for their growth during the crucial first year and even into the second year.
As you begin to introduce a wide variety of foods, you will find that mashing an avocado and mixing with applesauce, peaches or pears, bananas and even yogurt make a wonderful meal or snack.
Infants should NOT be on a "low fat" diet so disregard any advice to not feed avocados because they are high in fats. If you have any doubts, as always we recommend you consult your pediatrician.
