Easy-Peezy Purees: The Essential 17 Fruits and Veggies Every Mama Needs to Know

So what are the fruits and veggies you should use to make your homemade baby food and purees? I call them the Essential 17. These fruits and veggies will be at the core of your baby’s puree menu based on their nutritional value and effects on your baby's developing digestive track. Check out the nutrient scoop of each of the Essential 17 below! The take a peek at the list at the very bottom which explains the benefits of each of these nutrients.

The Essential 17 Fruits and Veggies

• Apples: antioxidants, soluble fiber
• Avocados: monosaturated “healthy” fat, soluble fiber, Vitamin E
• Bananas: potassium, Vitamin B6
• Beans (Black, Pinto, Navy): potassium, folate, fiber
• Beets: antioxidants, folic acid and potassium
• Carrots: beta carotene, insoluble fiber
• Cucumber: vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, potassium
• Green Beans: vitamin B6,  protein, folic acid, potassium 
• Melon (Cantaloupe, Honeydew): beta carotene, Vitamin C
• Peaches: niacin, thiamine, potassium , calcium, beta carotene
• Pears: soluble fiber, vitamins B2, C, E, and potassium
• Peas: folate, soluble and insoluble fiber
• Plums: soluble fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, beta carotene
• Pumpkin: potassium, beta carotene, Vitamin A
• Squash (Summer, Yellow, Butternut): Beta carotene, potassium, vitamin C, lutein
• Sweet Potato: soluble fiber, beta carotene, antioxidants, Vitamin A
• Zucchini: vitamin C, lutein, vitamin B6, riboflavin

Glossary of Vitamins and Minerals

• Antioxidants: Protect healthy cells against damage; Shown to fight off certain cancers and sharpen memory
• Beta Carotene: Helps keep the skin and eyes healthy
• Calcium: Helps keep bones and teeth strong
• Folate: Promotes heart health
• Folic Acid: Promotes healthy growth and function of cells
• Insoluble Fiber: Prevents constipation and keeps bowels moving properly
• Lutein: Promotes eye health
• Magnesium: Helps in the contraction and relaxation of muscles; Promotes production of protein and energy
• Monosaturated Fat: The “healthy” fat, Helps to lower cholesterol and keep your heart healthy
• Niacin: See Vitamin B3
• Potassium: Good for heart health and regulating blood pressure
• Riboflavin: See Vitamin B2
• Soluble Fiber: Helps to stabilize blood sugar levels
• Thiamine: See Vitamin B1
• Vitamin A: Promotes good vision; Helps form and maintain healthy skin, teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucus membranes, and skin
• Vitamin B1 (aka Thiamine): Helps break down sugars in the blood and reduce inflamation
• Vitamin B2 (aka Riboflavin): Important for growth and red blood cell production, Also a great source of energy
• Vitamin B3 (aka Niacin): Helps lower cholesterol and promotes blood circulation
• Vitamin B6: Promotes brain health and function, Supports production of certain hormones and enzymes
• Vitamin C: Promotes healing and healthy cell growth
• Vitamin E: Promotes healthy cell growth, including healing cuts and scrapes

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Be sure to click here - http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/p/easy-peezy-homemade-baby-food-and.html - to read all the posts on making your own baby food and purees! It will be an easy way to keep track and look for new updates!

Or follow the links below to all my other posts on making homemade baby food and purees:

Easy-Peezy Purees - What You Need to Get Started:
http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/basics-of-making-your-own-baby-food-and.html

The Basics of Making Homemade Baby Food - How to Puree: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/basics-of-making-your-own-baby-food-and_02.html

Easy-Peezy Purees - The Essential 17 Fruits and Veggies Every Mama Needs to Know: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-purees-essential-17-fruits.html

Easy-Peezy Homemade Baby Food and Purees - Foods to Avoid: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-homemade-baby-food-and-puree.html

The Whys and Hows of Transitioning Your Little One to Solids: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-purees-whys-and-hows-of.html