Fiber Rich Foods for Babies – The Top 10 List

To keep a regulated digestive tract, it is important to consume enough fiber. Babies need a substantial amount of fiber to stay full and balanced throughout the day. It slows down the rate which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream.

In turn, this keeps your blood glucose levels reasonable. In the long run, eating enough fiber will also lessen the risk of diabetes, weight gain, heart disease, and even cancer. There are plenty of foods that contain high amounts of fiber that are the perfect way to introduce it into your baby’s diet.

 Fiber Rich Foods for Babies: 

#1 Beans

There are several varieties of beans that can provide your baby with fiber, kidney beans being most rich. Some other options are lima beans, black beans, chickpeas, lentils, and navy beans.

To a baby, beans can become a choking hazard. If you would like to feed your baby a meal that includes beans, try mashing them up so that they form a paste. This can be eaten plain or even spread onto veggies or bread for a well-balanced, fiber-rich meal.

It is suggested that legumes be introduced into a baby’s diet by the age of 8-10 months.If introduced any earlier, the stomach may not be able to properly digest them and can result in gas.

#2 Berries

This is a simple way that your baby can consume fiber. Berries are easy to eat and full of essential fiber. The versatility behind them is also a great perk. You can make your baby smoothies or ice pops containing berries of your choice.

They are also great for a regular snack serving. The easiest berries to consume are blueberries and strawberries because they do not contain many rough seeds. It is important to be aware that your baby is still developing a tolerance to certain foods.

You may find that he/she is allergic to certain berries or fruits. Most parents surveyed have expressed that they introduced berries between 6-12 months of age.

#3 Nuts

Packed with large amounts of fiber, nuts are another go-to snack. In this case, paying close attention to any allergies is important because it is a very common reaction.

Once you have determined that your baby can eat nut-products, the easiest way to get a serving is by using peanut butter. You can spread it into sandwiches or use it as a dipping sauce for fruits and veggies. It is thought that babies as young as 6-months can be introduced to nuts.

#4 Oatmeal

Not only is oatmeal a great source of fiber, it is also a classic and simple breakfast for your baby. Oatmeal is super easy to digest and can contain many whole grains, making it a healthy choice.

If you would like, you can add berries and even peanut butter to your baby’s oatmeal for additional fiber and flavor. Babies as young as 4-months can be introduced to oatmeal for the first time.

This is often a direct segue from breastfeeding/bottle-feeding to eating solid foods. Oatmeal will keep your baby full for a long time without overloading on carbs or fats.

#5 Brown Rice

In particular, brown rice is packed with fiber and nutrients. It is different in content than its standard white variety. By the age of 4-months, babies can be fed brown rice while incorporated into other foods.

To make it easier to consume, you can soak the cooked rice in broth. This will reduce choking hazard by making the rice super soft, and it will also provide a great source of nutrients and energy for your baby. It is also unlikely to cause an allergic reaction like some of the other foods mentioned.

#6 Whole Grain Bread

Bread is one of the most versatile foods that is great to feed to babies. If you are looking to incorporate fiber into your child’s diet, opt for the whole grain selection.

This kind of bread contains the most fiber and highest nutrient count. At about 8-9 months, you can introduce bread into the diet. It makes a great standalone finger food.

If you do want to make it more interesting, you can use spreads to enhance the flavor. Beans and peanut butter make great options.

#7 Crunchy Veggies

Not only do vegetables contain vitamins, but they also are a great source of fiber. It is known that crunch veggies such as carrots and celery contain a substantial amount of fiber. When introducing raw vegetables to your baby, it is important that you wait until they are around 8-months before introduction.

It can be difficult for babies to consume raw veggies if they have no developed many teeth yet. Alternatively, chewing on a crunch veggie while teething can help to soothe the discomfort. If you want to feed your baby vegetables are easier to eat, you can also cook them for a softer texture. Plenty of baby foods come with a puree consistency.

Can You Ever Have Too Much?

As you may have gathered, there is no shortage of food that you can feed to your baby to ensure that they are getting the proper amount of fiber. However, it is actually possible to eat too much fiber.

This can normally result in constipation, stomach cramps, and dehydration. At 6-months, your infant can consume up to 5 grams of fiber a day. This will increase to 19 grams as the child reaches ages 1-3.

The thing to look for when deciding on a source of fiber is if the food has been artificially processed. Your baby will benefit the most from foods that are all natural. Believe it or not, there are also a wide variety of baby food brands that also provide fiber-rich foods.

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