Well-balanced meal plan for a 12 month old

[blueocean]

Hi everyone! I haven`t had time to post before, but a lot on my mind lately. It`s so hard to find information aligned with your beliefs as to feeding a toddler. Not much help from family or doctor I was vegetarian (vegan for a while too) for 10 years. Sadly, I haven`t realized that I`ve been a junk food veggie - processed soy meats and tofu were a staple in our diet!! During my pregnancy I heard about raw foodism, and my transition started. Now, my husband and I eat more raw foods, seeds and nuts. I also make smoothies in a Vita-Mix. But since being a mom I have so much less time to spend researching and reading more on raw foodism. I hope you can share some of your knowledge and offer your advice. Or even direct me to a good book on this subject.

I want to plan a well-balanced menu for my son, who just turned 1. I`m breastfeeding him, and intend to until for at least another year. He`s also eating solids now. I want to get all the nutrients and vitamins he needs, but I don`t know how to with a mostly raw food diet for him. I`m not completely raw I admit, but we`re doing the best we can. The foods must be compatible with toddler`s digestive system and be not very allergenic:

- raw pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower and chia seeds - are these ok? Or is it better to soak seeds or sprout them? Sprouting is on my list of things to learn!

-kale, collards, carrots, tomatoes - are these ok in smoothies?

Also, what are the best sources of iron and zinc on a raw foods diet?

My doc suggested I feed him beans every day because I said I`m not giving him meat. This seems like a lot of beans to me! Beans make him gassy, as well as broccoli. Is there another protein-rich food I can give on a daily basis? I was thinking hemp seeds, but don`t know if that`s ok for a toddler.

Looking forward to your replies!

[Raw Angel Mom]

I cannot give you advice about if what you mention is ok because i am not an expert with children digestion system but what you wrote seems fine.

I used hemp seeds for my little girl when i started to give food. I was nursing too. She was 15 months.

Since your child is still 12 months. I probably would start to introduce him with solid like you do. Young coconut is the closest to breast milk. So i would go with this coconut water, you can blend the coconut milk with the water. Don't be afraid to introduce some chunk down the road. I never did and it took me a while to help my daughter to chew.

You can pure almost everything with water and a vitamix. Entroduce as much single food you can versus blended.

My daughter had a sensitivity problem and it was hard for me to introduce her to different food, now she tries everything.

A basic smoothie that i did for her and i continue to breastfeed her up to 4 years old.

Was

1 cup of filter water
1/4 cup of hemp seeds
1 cup of strawberry(can be frozen)
5 banana

Blend well. Down the road you can add more food. Don't stop making milk, when he teeth, he may refuse to eat and the milk will be the only thing you have.

Don't do nut or honey until he is 2 years old. If not digest properly, it could lead allergies to nuts.

My daughter had blood work done when she was only doing that smoothie that i mention and she would have about 100ml of my milk per day and she came back perfect no deficiency.

You can soak gojji berries, chia seed and golden berries, it would boost the vitamin A, C and fatty acid.

I don't buy anymore the beleive that they need a portion of this and a portion of that to be healthy. I notice that my daughter body's is very much in tune with her. At time, all she wants is tomato, at other time, it is blueberries, or mangos etc....

Once your child is old enough, you can get his blood check for any deficiency, this will be his signature that all is well. You can also tell with their eyes and energy (radiant).

Brain food is important, and he needs a lot of calories. Don't stop the milk, he needs B12. I now supplement my child. You can add a little bit of D3 in his food too.

All the best, and make sure to share your experience during your journey

p.s I have been told and i have used it when she was 15 months, that e3live is safe for them. Spirulina is so rich too. Now she is older, i add maca powder and sequel protein powder in her smoothie. Children needs more calories then us.

[blueocean]

Thank you for sharing Raw Angel Mom, very informative. Wondering which B12 supplement do you give?

[Raw Angel Mom]

I will have to look at home. It was recommended by David Wolf. You are nursing him, so don't worry about this because he gets it from your milk. On the other hand, you should supplement for you.

[Jen Rose]

Great info here, guys!

[Raw Angel Mom]

Found out that Chlorella is a great source for B12. It is absorb by our body. Of course, if you have mucus or leaky guts, it might be another topic, but typically, it will be ok for you to take Chlorella.

Research, i am not a doctor