An ancient city in Israel is the earliest evidence of consuming chicken. It was also discovered as food in Babylonian carvings from around 600 BC. Today meat has been recognized as a first-class source of protein. The total number of broilers produced in 2020 was 9.22 billion which is up by 2% from 2019. Chicken is a healthier non-vegetarian choice than red meat and can be safely fed to children from around 7 months of age. It is an excellent source of iron and nutrients like selenium and choline which babies require to thrive.
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Parents usually think of bananas or sweet potatoes while transitioning the little ones to solid foods. Others are infant cereals and yogurts. But there are plenty of advantages to introducing chicken to babies as the ‘first food’. Experts recommend a variety of animal products like meat and poultry every day in addition to grains and tubers for up to 12 months. This supports antioxidant activities, create healthy blood and fuel cell energy. Below are a few points to keep in mind while adding chicken to your child’s diet.
Look For Reactions
Chicken improves eyesight and skin, promotes brain development, helps feel satiated for a long time and boosts metabolism and immunity. Allergic reactions to chicken are rare affecting only 0.6% to 5% of people. Yet keep an eye for swelling in lips and throat and gastrointestinal distress in babies after offering a bite-sized piece. Anaphylaxis is another allergic condition that presents symptoms like wheezing, confusion and lightheadedness. The good news is that this is rare as well, but responsible parents must keep a close watch. You may seek immediate help to avoid any serious complications.
Buy Organic Chicken
Once you are sure that feeding meat is safe, consider picking organic meat. You may order organic grilled chicken, tenders, baby back ribs and platters from your nearest restaurant. The best one assures the freshest ingredients and recipes safe for kids. Organic chicken is rich in high vitamin and nutritional values which positively impacts humans.
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There are fewer chances of bacteria like salmonella. No wonder the organic chicken market share is predicted to rise by $8.73 billion from 2021 to 2026 growing at a CAGR of 16.85%. It has the USDA seal which means the animal has eaten only organically grown feed and is not treated with antibiotics and synthetic hormones.
Taste Enhancement
Spices are a big NO-NO to babies to avoid stomach upsets. Instead, you may add a little bit of formula, broth or even breastmilk to spruce up the meat. Add veggies like peas, carrots, cauliflower and peas along with the chicken. This can create a complete meal which is both highly nutritional and adequately fulfilling.
Pureed meat to a thin and smooth consistency is also another option. Babies might not love it at first since they are fond of fruits and vegetables that generally have the ‘sweet’ quotient. But you may add a pinch of salt to entice their taste buds. Remove loose pieces of fat and offer meat on the bone. Babies will mostly gnaw at this point.
Check the Texture
Fresh raw chicken has a soft and glossy texture. The color is light pink with white slabs of fat and no odor. Avoid anything that has turned yellow. Know that increased sliminess and residue mean that meat is no longer healthy for consumption. It should not be sticky or tacky as well. Always cross-check the expiry date before buying chicken.
Try not to freeze for more than 2 days for later use. The best option would be to opt for different meat dishes from a reputed chicken restaurant. You may also explore a wide variety of side dishes like string beans, corn, gravy, cucumber salad and rice pilaf that is healthy for a child. Visit the website first to read the nutritional information before placing your order.
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A 2021 poll found that 89% of Americans include meat in their diet. If you are one of them, it is necessary to learn how to introduce it to your baby. Ensuring proper caution and consulting a pediatrician can promise a happy and healthy start to life.