Day 3: How to Plan Well-Balanced Meals

All About Macros: Planning Well-Balanced Meals for Your Baby

By Team Slurrp Farm

26th Oct 2023

4 min

As your baby grows and develops, a balanced diet becomes very important. Let’s delve into more detail today.

What Is a Balanced Meal?

A balanced meal includes a mix of different food groups that provide essential nutrients for overall health. It typically consists of:

Lean protein sources (e.g., chicken, fish, beans, lentils) 20%

Whole grains 40%

Colorful, fresh vegetables and fruits 20%

Healthy fats (e.g., ghee, nuts) 10%

Depending on dietary needs, dairy or dairy alternatives (eg., yogurt, curd) 10%

Why Balanced Meals Are Important for Your Baby

A balanced meal provides your baby with all the necessary nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. A single food type cannot provide all the essential nutrients, and that's why it's important to provide multiple foods that contain these nutrients.

What Are Macro and Micro Nutrients? Why Do They Matter?

Macronutrients	Micronutrients
Nutrients that our body needs in large quantities to function properly. They make up the majority of your baby's diet and are essential for growth and development.	Nutrients that our body needs in smaller amounts, but are still very important for maintaining good health. These include vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, and vitamin C.
Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy, and can be found in foods like bread, pasta, and rice.	Vitamins are essential for the proper functioning of many of our body's systems, such as the immune system, and can be found in foods like fruits and vegetables. Examples: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12
Proteins are essential for building and repairing tissues in the body, and can be found in foods like meat, fish, and beans.	2) Minerals are important for building strong bones, and can be found in foods like dairy products and leafy greens. Examples: Iron, calcium, zinc.
3) Fats are important for insulation and protection of our vital organs, and can be found in foods like nuts, seeds, and oils.

(We will explore these key nutrients in detail next week onwards.)

How to Plan a Balanced Meal for Your Baby?

Your baby’s meal should include foods that contain iron, protein, and fat. Sometimes, this can be incorporated into a one-pot meal; e.g., a veggie khichdi with ghee. Or you can offer these as separate foods; e.g, idli + sambhar + ghee-roasted sweet potato. Iron-rich foods are usually also protein-rich, making planning easier.

Starting next week, we will do a deep-dive into each of these nutrients. We will also share helpful lists of nutrient-rich foods that are part of your kitchens, so you can plan your baby's meals more smoothly.