INFANT GUIDE
6 - 12 months old
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Food Guide: Infant Guide
Age: 6 - 12 months old
Providing healthy snacks is essential for supporting growth, brain development, and energy throughout the day. This guide offers nutritious morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack ideas for children from 6 months to 12 months, ensuring age-appropriate, safe, and balanced options.
Morning Snacks:
- Mashed banana or avocado;
- Soft, cooked vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, peas);
- Unsweetened applesauce or fruit purée;
- Plain whole milk yogurt (if age-appropriate);
- Small pieces of soft fruit (peeled pears, ripe mango, watermelon);
- Baby rice crackers or teething biscuits;
Lunch:
- Protein: Mashed lentils, shredded soft chicken, or scrambled egg yolk;
- Carbohydrate: Mashed sweet potatoes or soft, cooked rice;
- Vegetable: Steamed carrots or peas, mashed avocado;
- Fruit (Dessert): Mashed banana or pureed pear;
Afternoon Snacks:
- Mashed banana or avocado;
- Plain whole-milk yogurt with mashed fruit (no added sugar);
- Soft-cooked apple or pear slices (peeled and mashed);
- Baby oatmeal mixed with breast milk or formula;
- Small pieces of soft cheese (around 9–12 months);
- Rice cakes or teething biscuits (for older infants);
Healthy Drink Options:
- Water (the best choice throughout the day);
- Milk (whole milk up to age 2; low-fat or 1% for 2+ years);
-
Smoothies made with fruit and milk or yogurt.
Avoid: juices with added sugar, soda, or sports drinks.
General Tips for Parents
- Include one fruit or vegetable with every snack.
- Avoid foods that are choking hazards (whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, hard candy, raw carrots).
- Choose minimally processed foods with low sugar and salt.
- Encourage children to eat slowly and mindfully.
