Delicious and healthy snacks and meals you can make your baby on the go

You shouldn’t have to sacrifice on nutrition for your baby when you’re out and about. 

With a little simple prep, you can easily make delicious and healthy meals and snacks for your little one. 

Babies start weaning between four and six months and usually you start them on mashed foods and later lead to baby-led weaning which means giving them small finger foods.  

Even if your baby doesn’t have teeth yet, their gums are incredibly strong and can work through soft textures. 

Just make sure the foods are soft enough to chew and that the pieces of food are manageable. 

Premature babies are slightly different, and guidelines suggest weaning between five and eight months after birth and not the due date. 

During this weaning period, babies’ brains go through huge developments.

“Nutrition plays a part in this development,” notes accredited nutritionist Faye James. 

“On average babies and toddlers need about 1,000-1,400 calories a day and have the right balance of protein, fibre, vitamins and healthy fats,” she adds.

“Try steaming some apples or pears which will help your baby meet their fibre requirements and most babies love their sweet flavour.”

If they’re ready for finger food, then Faye recommends diced berries, halved grapes, diced mango and melon as good vitamin-packed options.  

Faye also suggests steamed and mashed veggies such as pumpkin, carrot and broccoli which you can pop into a little reusable pouch and take out on the go. 

“If they are ready for baby-led weaning you can steam some carrot sticks and serve with some homemade hummus which is rich in fibre and nutrients,” she says. 

To help your baby get their protein and calcium hit, Faye also suggests cheese sticks if your wee one is ready for baby-led weaning. 

Hard boiled eggs are another good on-the-go option. “They’re packed full of protein and are a popular finger food with little ones.”

“You can serve boiled eggs with a little cold pasta (small shapes are the best) with peas for the perfect balanced lunch,” recommends Faye. 

“The key is to get your little one eating as many varieties of fresh fruits and veggies as you can along with proteins and carbs to help sustain them throughout the day.”