TheBuzzReads.com | Explore Popular Blogs

Top 10 superfoods for boosting immunity in babies

Babies need healthy and nutritious food to boost their growth and strengthen their immunity. Given their tiny stomachs, they must be fed nourishing foods that are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For maximum benefits and minimum calories, superfoods are a fantastic option for babies. Such nutrient-packed sustenance is exceptionally beneficial in developing their immune systems. These 10 superfoods are ideal additions to a baby’s nutrition plan for optimal health:

Bananas
Bananas are packed with carbohydrates that provide sustained energy to babies. Opt for mashed ripe bananas for younger children, while older children can be served chopped bananas as finger food.

Butternut squash
Butternut squash contains healthy doses of beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, folate, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Boiled and pureed, they make for an excellent superfood for babies transitioning to solids.

Sweet potatoes
This naturally sweet superfood can be cooked and mashed and are a great transition food for babies. Sweet potatoes are full of vitamin C, potassium, and beta-carotene.

Eggs
Egg whites are a source of protein, while the yolks are a source of zinc, and vitamins A, D, E, and B12. Eggs also contain a nutrient called choline, playing a critical part in brain development. Consult a pediatrician and check family history for allergies before feeding the baby egg whites.

Carrots
Carrots contain high beta-carotene levels that convert to Vitamin A, which is vital for growth and healthy vision. Cooked and pureed carrots are attractive to many babies due to their inherent sweetness.

Fatty
The rich omega-3 fatty acid content in salmon is crucial for brain development, eye health, and a better immune system. Fish are also a rich source of protein which aids growth in children.

Peas
Peas are a good source of vitamins K, A, B, and C, alongside folic acid and fiber.

Broccoli
Broccoli contains a high amount of vitamin C, beta-carotene, folic acid, iron, potassium, and fiber, making it one of the best superfoods for babies. However, boiling broccoli can cut its vitamin C content in half, so opt for steaming or microwaving it. Mix it with butternut squash, carrots, or sweet potatoes to make it more appealing for babies.

Raspberries
Of all the superfoods, raspberries are the sweetest, contain the least calories, and contain ellagic acid, which can help protect against cancer.

Brown rice
Brown rice is a rich energy source as it contains carbohydrates, protein, B vitamins, and minerals. The starch in rice is absorbed slowly in the body, providing a steady release of glucose for bodily functions.

While most of the items on this list are appropriate for children six months and older, consult with a pediatrician before introducing solid foods and making any changes to a baby’s food habits.

For some babies up to three years of age, doctors may also recommend supplementing daily nutrition with a formula to build immunity. Holle Organic Baby Formula is a popular choice enriched with DHA and offers various options depending on the infant’s nutritional needs. Parents can shop for this baby formula online via the Holle website.

Popular Reads

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

How many times have allergies caused you to sneeze every time you take a ride in the open air? Or rashes on coming in contact with a plant? Or swelling as a result of a peanut allergy? Sneezing, running noses, watery eyes, rashes, swelling all these reactions due to allergies can be quite distressing. Allergies are more common and can be caused by various things. The cause of allergies is still unknown, it could be genetic or just a singular development. However, they can be easily detected by just visiting your doctor and undergoing some tests. Read on to know more about what are allergies and how to detect them. What are allergies? The immune system is designed to fight any entrant in the body that it recognizes as foreign. However, at times, the immune system becomes over vigilant and starts fighting foreign entrants that are not harmful. Substances that cause the immune system to react this way are called “allergens”, and when you display symptoms of these interactions, you are diagnosed “allergic” to the substance. Allergens can include plants, grass, pollen, dust, food, animal dander among others. While symptoms like running nose, sneezing, watery eyes, rashes, itching, and others, are all attributed to allergic reactions.

5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

A common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and progressive disease that affects the brain and motor functions of the body. The disease progresses through stages. It begins to affect the regions of the brain that control language, thought, and memory. In most of the cases, it begins with a slight memory loss. In the final stages, Alzheimer’s disease leads to the loss of various abilities including motor skills, speech, and independent movement. Here are a few frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s. What are the causes? Alzheimer’s disease does not have any definite cause. Research has been unable to conclude whether Alzheimer’s is developed by one cause or multiple ones. The exact cause of the ailment is not yet known. However, there are multiple factors that may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the major causes is ageism. Also, a family history of Alzheimer’s is another major risk. This may lead to the inheritance of genes that cause this disease. Some other possible risk factors that can cause Alzheimer’s include high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and high cholesterol. What are the symptoms? In most cases, the first warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is a loss of cognitive ability.

Four important steps in anemia management

Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Its richness in iron gives blood its red color. Anemia is a condition where a person has low hemoglobin or red blood cell count. From an underlying disease to nutrient deficiencies, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the onset of this condition. There are many forms of anemia. Some of them include: Iron deficiency anemia -This is caused due to low iron levels in the blood. Most common causes of this type of anemia are heavy menstruation or internal bleeding. Vitamin deficiency anemia – This type of anemia is caused by the deficiency of vitamin C, B-12 or folate Aplastic anemia – Damaged stem cells in the bone marrow fail to produce enough red blood cells, leading to aplastic anemia. Sickle cell anemia – This is a condition characterized by the development of abnormal crescent-shaped red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia – This is a blood disorder caused due to premature death of red blood cells. Thalassemia – This is caused due to low amounts of hemoglobin in the blood. The blood disorders vary in duration and severity. Prompt diagnosis, and treatment are important because anemia could also be due to an underlying condition.