Best for babies: Top 10 foods for healthy babies
When they reach 7 months, babies can now consume other food that can help them gain more nutrients. These can help them fully develop into healthy children and eventually, as adults in the future.
1. Breastmilk
Breast milk or mother milk is the milk produced by the breasts (or mammary glands) of a human female to feed a child. Milk is the primary source of nutrition for newborns before they are able to eat and digest other foods; older infants and toddlers may continue to be breastfed, in combination with other foods from six months of age when solid foods should be introduced.
2. Cereals
Colloquially referred to as lugaw, this can be the first semi-solid food babies can consume. When they hit the 8th month, they can be fed thicker lugaw or even soft-cooked rice. At 10 months, they can be fed the same type of rice as the family’s. Cereals can be made more nutritious and delicious at the same time by adding breastmilk.
3. Rootcrops
Rootcrops such as kamote and potato are rich with energy and fiber. These can be mashed and enriched with milk for babies.
4. Fruits
Fruits provide a wide variety of nutrients for a baby’s good health. Mango and papaya are prime sources of vitamin C which can help keep gums healthy, prevent bruising, and keep infections away from the body. Mango, papaya, banana (especially ripe latundan at first) provide a variety of nutrients for good health.
5. Vegetables
Vegetables are rich in various nutrients that can contribute to better bodily functions of a baby. Yellow vegetables like carrots and squash contain beta-carotene that can develop a baby's healthy skin, clear eyesight, good growth, glossy hair, and better immune system. Meanwhile, green leafy vegetables like kamote tops, kangkong, pechay, and malunggay are best sources of b-carotene. They contain minerals such as iron for healthy blood and calcium for strong bone and teeth.
6. Eggs
One-half cooked eggyolk can be given to your baby at 7 months old. However, due to allergy-producing qualities of eggwhites, one should wait until the baby is 11 months old. Eggs are filled with protein that can build and repair muscles and vitamin D which helps the body absorb calcium.
7. Legumes/beans
These are cheaper sources of protein, B-complex vitamins, and iron. Mashed beans can be served to babies aged 19 to 11 months and can be enriched with milk.
8. Meat/Fish/Poultry
These provide protein for growth and repair of body tissues, iron for healthy blood, and other vitamins and minerals such as zinc for a better immune system. When a child is 6 months old, it is best to introduce foods with a "chewier" texture like minced or finely chopped meat, fish, and poultry.

9. Water and beverages
A baby usually begins learning to drink from a cup around 6 to 7 months old. Aside from water, juices are acceptable but take note that these should be placed in a cup as drinking juices through feeding bottles may result in early childhood tooth decay. However, fruit juice should be part of a meal or snack and not consumed throughout the day. Too much drinking can lead to diarrhea as babies do not easily digest juice.
10. Gelatin and biscuits
Simple food such as custards, puddings, and plain gulaman can be served to babies for extra fiber. Biscuits are best given to babies when they start teething.