A is for Apples



Another great food to introduce to baby early, apples are easy to eat and easy to digest. 
Here are a few easy and yummy ways to introduce apple into baby's diet.

Oats and apple cereal: Peel, core and dice an apple into small chunks baby can chew comfortably. Mix in with 1/4 cup oats and 3/4 cup water and bring to a boil. Simmer until apples are soft and oats are cooked. Mash until the mixture becomes almost puree-like. Suitable for babies 4-6 months old.

Baked apples: Leave peel on a cored apple and place a tiny bit of butter on the inside (if baby can have butter). Place apples on a shallow pan with 1-2 inches of water and bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until apples become tender. Once cooled, remove skin if needed. Suitable for babies 4-6 months old.

Applesauce: A staple in baby diets, here's how to make a simple applesauce. 1) Wash and peel the apple. 2) Core and chop the apple into small chunks. 3) Bring water to a boil and cook apples until tender, then wash under cool water. 4) Puree in a food processor or blender. Add water as needed. 5) Serve with sweet potato, carrot, peach, pear, banana, chicken, yogurt or oatmeal. 6) Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months. Easy, peasy! (Recipe from parents.com)

P.S. Apples are one of the fruits and veggies that contains the most pesticides, so buying organic is a smart choice, especially for baby's early development. Not sure which type of apple to choose? Red delicious and gala apples are the best for baby's mild taste buds.

Photo Credit: Micky