The menu for a 17-month-old baby needs to ensure adequate nutrition for comprehensive development. Refer to suggestions for dishes that help your baby eat well, supplement protein, fiber, vitamins and essential minerals every day.

The menu for a 17-month-old baby should be diverse, easy to digest and rich in nutrients. Discover delicious, nutritious and easy-to-make dishes to help your baby grow healthily, strengthen immunity and form good eating habits.

What nutrition does a 17-month-old baby need?

A 17-month-old baby is in an important stage of development, both physically and mentally, so nutrition is a very important factor to support this development. Below are the basic nutritional needs for a 17-month-old baby that parents should pay attention to:

• Protein: Protein is an essential nutrient that helps develop muscles and support the baby’s immune system. Good sources of protein include lean meat, fish, eggs, tofu and beans.
• Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates provide energy for your baby to be active and play all day. You can supplement carbohydrates from sources such as rice, porridge, noodles, bread and sweet potatoes.

Starch provides energy for children to be active and play all day.

• Fat: Fat is essential for the development of your baby’s brain and nervous system. Olive oil, avocados and nuts are good sources of healthy fats.
• Vitamins and minerals: Vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, vitamins C and D support bones, teeth, immunity and brain development. You can supplement through milk, fruits, green vegetables and cereals.
• Fiber: Fiber helps your baby’s digestive system work effectively, preventing constipation. Fiber is abundant in fruits, green vegetables and whole grains.
• Water: Water helps your baby maintain body moisture and aids digestion. Your baby should drink about 500 – 700ml of water per day in addition to milk.
• Milk: Milk is a source of calcium, vitamin D and protein necessary for your baby’s bones and teeth. Every day, your baby should drink about 400 – 500ml of milk for comprehensive development.

Menu for 17-month-old babies that parents should refer to

Below is a suggested menu for 17-month-old babies, ensuring adequate nutrition and variety to help your baby develop best. This menu includes main meals and snacks, focusing on foods rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Menu for 17 month old baby that parents should refer to

Breakfast

• Oatmeal & fruit porridge: Oatmeal porridge cooked with milk and added with soft fruits such as bananas, strawberries or chopped mangoes.
• Fruit pancakes: Made from oatmeal or flour, add mashed bananas, a little honey and milk. Cut into small pieces for easy eating by baby.

Lunch

• Broken rice with lean meat: Mashed rice with chicken, pork, or fish, shredded and steamed. Add chopped green vegetables such as spinach or carrots.
• Beef and pumpkin porridge: White rice porridge cooked with minced beef, add pumpkin to increase nutrition and natural sweetness.
• Carrot and potato soup: Cook carrots, potatoes and chicken until soft, then mash or puree.

Afternoon meal

• Fruit yogurt: Unsweetened yogurt with chopped fresh fruit (banana, strawberry, apple).
• Vegetable omelet: Beat eggs with a little chopped kale and spinach, fry until cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces.

Dinner

• Eel and vegetable porridge: White rice porridge cooked with shredded eel meat and vegetables such as zucchini and carrots.
• Udon noodles with meat & vegetables: Soft, thinly sliced ​​udon noodles cooked with chicken or pork and green vegetables.
• Steamed fish and vegetable soup: Steamed fish, boneless, served with rice and vegetable soup.

Snack

• Cheese & fresh fruit: Small pieces of cheese or cheese balls, with fruits such as halved grapes or chopped mango.
• Flan or pudding: Soft, low-sugar flan or vanilla pudding, ensuring your baby can swallow easily and enjoy it.

Notes when creating a menu for a 17-month-old baby

Here are some important notes when creating a menu for a 17-month-old baby:

• Ensure adequate nutrition: The menu needs to be complete with all nutrient groups: protein, starch, fat, vitamins and minerals for your baby to grow healthily.
• Soft and easy-to-digest foods: 17-month-old babies have not yet fully developed their chewing and digestion skills, so dishes need to be cooked soft, cut into small pieces and easy to chew.
• Limit strong spices: Limit sugar, salt and spicy spices to protect your baby’s kidneys and digestive system. Use natural vegetables and fruits to sweeten the dish.

Limit sugar, salt and spicy foods to protect your baby’s kidneys and digestive system.

• Diversify the menu: To prevent your baby from getting bored, the menu needs to be rich, alternating different types of food, creating opportunities for your baby to be exposed to many different flavors and sources of nutrition.
• Add milk and dairy products: Milk is an important source of nutrition, providing calcium and vitamin D for bone development. Make sure your baby drinks about 400 – 500ml of milk every day or replace it with yogurt or cheese.
• Try new foods gradually: Each time you add a new dish, start with a small amount to see if your baby is allergic. This helps your baby get used to new foods while still being safe.
• Increase fiber: Fiber from green vegetables, fruits and whole grains helps prevent constipation and maintain a healthy digestive system for your baby.
• Create a fixed meal schedule: Setting a fixed meal time helps your baby have a scientific and regular eating habit, which is good for the digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Creating a menu for a 17-month-old baby is not only about ensuring adequate nutrition, but also a way to encourage your baby to explore new flavors and foods. Hopefully the above suggestions will help parents have more ideas to prepare delicious and nutritious meals for their baby!