Not sure what to feed your baby for lunch and dinner? When your baby hits 6 months and starts eating solid foods, it can be difficult to know what to give them! We’ve picked out the best lunch and dinner ideas for babies 6 months and up. These recipes are full of nutrients, contain great flavours, and fun textures that your baby will love!
Key Takeaways about Top lunch and dinner ideas
- Introduce a variety of nutritious and tasty meals to support your baby’s growth and development from 6 months onwards.
- Our top 10 lunch and dinner ideas incorporate nutrient-dense ingredients, balanced flavours, and appealing textures.
- Providing a diverse range of food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is crucial for your growing baby’s overall well-being.
- Wholesome ingredients and balanced nutrition in these meals support your baby’s physical development and foster healthy eating habits.
- Our curated recipes offer delightful options to excite your baby’s taste buds while ensuring optimal nourishment.
Introducing solid foods to your growing baby
Starting solid foods is a big step in your baby’s growth. They’ll get to try new tastes, textures, and foods that are good for them. Before starting, check if your baby can sit up, control their head, and is curious about food.
Start with simple foods like single-ingredient purees or soft, mashed foods…
- Mashed avocado
- Pureed sweet potato
- Soft-cooked carrots
- Mashed banana
As your baby gets used to these foods, introduce more. Try different fruits, veggies, and proteins as this variety is key for getting all the nutrients your little one needs. It also helps them develop a love for food.
Listen to your baby when trying new foods. Some babies might love trying new things, while others need time. Trust your baby’s signs and don’t push them if they’re not interested.
Make sure your baby’s diet is balanced and varied by including foods from different groups…
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean proteins (meat, fish, eggs, legumes)
- Dairy products (yoghurt, cheese)
- Healthy fats (avocado, nut butters)
Best foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner
A balanced diet with different flavours and textures is important for your baby…
Choose foods rich in nutrients for your baby’s meals. Good options include…
- Pureed fruits and vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, and pears
- Baby cereals, like oatmeal or rice cereal
- Mashed avocado, which provides healthy fats and fibre
- Soft-cooked, pureed meats, like chicken or turkey
- Mashed legumes, such as lentils or chickpeas
Introducing new foods should mix flavours and textures to make meals fun and interesting, if a little messy!
- Combine sweet and savoury flavours, such as mixing pureed pears with mashed sweet potatoes
- Offer a variety of textures, from smooth purees to soft, mashed foods with small lumps
- Gradually introduce finger foods, like soft-cooked vegetables or toast strips, to promote self-feeding skills
- Be patient and persistent when introducing new foods, as it may take several attempts for your baby to accept them
Tasty recipes to excite little taste buds
Mealtime is a fun chance to introduce your baby to new tastes! Here are some tasty, easy recipes your little one will love…
- Sweet Potato and Beetroot Puree
Steam or boil sweet potatoes and beetroot until soft. Blend them until smooth, adding water or breast milk if needed. - Creamy Avocado and Banana Mash
Mash ripe avocado and banana together. This recipe is full of healthy fats and potassium, perfect for your baby’s growth and the creamy texture is great for little taste buds. - Carrot and Lentil Puree
Cook carrots and red lentils in water until soft. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed. This puree is a tasty way to introduce savoury flavours. - Avocado and Blueberry Puree. Blend avocado and blueberries together. You baby will love the creaminess of this recipe!
Here are some tips for making these recipes…
- Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best taste and nutrition.
- Cook fruits and veggies until they’re soft for easy mashing or pureeing.
- Don’t add salt, sugar, or other seasonings yet, as your baby’s taste buds are still developing.
- Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 48 hours or freeze in ice cube trays for easy portions.
As your baby gets used to different tastes and textures, you can try more complex recipes and finger foods. Give these a try…
Nutritious foods for optimal growth and development
As your baby starts eating solid foods, it’s important to focus on healthy eating.
To make sure your baby gets a balanced diet, add important vitamins and minerals to their meals. Some key ones include…
When cooking for your baby, choose ingredients that are full of nutrients. Good options include…
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains like oats, quinoa, and brown rice
- Lean proteins such as chicken, fish, and legumes
- Healthy fats from avocados, nut butters, and olive oil
Easy meal preparation tips for busy parents
As a busy parent, it can be hard to find the time to cook healthy meals for your baby. But, with a few simple tips and handy tools, you can make meal prep easier so your baby will always have tasty, nutritious food!
Batch cooking and freezing
Batch cooking and freezing can save you a lot of time. By making big batches of baby food ahead, you can have meals ready to go. This is great for things like pureed veggies, fruits, and grains, which are key for many meals.
- Set aside a few hours each week to cook baby food in bulk.
- Use ice cube trays or silicone moulds to freeze individual portions of pureed foods.
- Label and date each container or bag of frozen food to ensure easy identification and rotation.
- Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight or using the defrost setting on your microwave.
Time-saving kitchen gadgets
Investing in a few key kitchen gadgets can make meal prep much quicker!
You can also try our Piccolo First Taste pouches, whether your little one prefers fruit blends or veggie heroes. Whichever you choose, you can trust they’ll be getting the essential nutrition they need in a convenient, on-the-go option!
Delicious finger foods to encourage self-feeding
At 6 months, introducing finger foods is exciting. They help your baby learn to feed themselves and improve their fine motor skills, plus these foods also introduce new tastes and textures, which is great for your little one’s future eating habits.
Choose finger foods that are full of nutrients and soft. They should be the right size to avoid choking…
- Soft fruits like banana, avocado, and ripe peaches cut into small pieces
- Steamed vegetables such as carrots, broccoli florets, and sweet potato wedges
- Cooked pasta shapes or small pieces of toast
- Shredded chicken or flaked fish
- Scrambled eggs or small chunks of cheese
Always watch your baby while they eat and make sure the foods you offer them are soft and cut small.
Self-feeding can be messy, but it’s a key part of learning. Use a bib to keep their clothes clean and place a mat under the high chair to catch spills. Be patient and supportive as they learn to feed themselves. The mess won’t last forever!
By letting your baby choose their own foods, you’re helping them become independent. This encourages healthy eating habits from a young age.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions to help guide you through introducing solids.
Try mixing different flavours and textures to make meals fun. Combine sweet and savoury foods and add mild spices to purees. Start with smooth foods and gradually introduce lumpy and finger foods. Be creative with presentations to make meals appealing.
Vegetables provide your little one with lots of nutrients! Try soft cooking vegetables such as carrots, peas and broccoli and either mash or puree them to make them easier for your baby to eat. Combine sweet and savoury flavours, such as mixing pureed pears with mashed sweet potatoes.
Choosing foods rich in vitamins and minerals is key for your baby’s growth. Opt for foods with minimal processing and avoid those with added sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats. A balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is best.
