There are two types of tofu :

1. Hard / firm tofu – This has a firm texture, very similar to cheese. It is usually sold packed in tubs of water and is generally used as a “mock” meat, or in recipes needing a consistency that holds together well.
2. Soft / silken tofu – This has a texture similar to custard and is usually sold in a box or in foil. It is often used for desserts, soups, smoothies and sauces.

Tofu contains almost all of the nutritional benefits of the soybeans. It contains good amount of calcium, iron, fatty acids, fiber and other important nutrients. It is also high in complete protein. When it is mixed with grains, for instance, it forms a complete high quality protein. 4 ounces of tofu provide about 9.2 grams of protein. Calcium, fatty acids and protein is higher in firm tofu. These elements make it the perfect choice as a nutritious food for babies.

You can start including tofu into your baby’s diet eight months after his or her birth. Be careful to introduce it gradually though, since a number of babies react to it rather nastily, soy being a ‘potential allergen’. Look out for running nose, vomiting tendencies, wheezing and reddening or watering of the eye. In case you suspect your baby is breaking into an allergy of some sort, contact your pediatrician immediately.

It is very easy to incorporate tofu into your baby’s diet because it has very little taste of its own. Instead, it absorbs the flavors of any foods it comes into contact with. Initially, you could try blending tofu with cottage cheese or avocado, for a simple, nutritious meal. Soft tofu creamed with fruit would make a delicious dessert for baby. Alternatively, tofu can be cut into chunks and served to your baby raw, as a healthy finger food.

Given the health benefits and the high adaptability of the item, tofu will soon become an indispensable part of your baby’s diet. And even while he eats it unaware only you will know how it will make him bigger and stronger.

Iron is a mineral that makes up an important part of hemoglobin, the substance in blood that carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron also carries oxygen in muscles, helping them function properly. Without an adequate amount of iron, the hemoglobin cannot carry enough oxygen to body tissues. The result is iron deficiency anemia with symptoms of tiredness and weakness. Infants who do not get enough iron can develop iron deficiency anaemia. This can cause a very serious illness called infant botulism.

Breast milk is the best source of iron for baby. There are sufficient quantities of iron in breast milk so that generally no supplementation of iron is necessary. However, at 4-6 months, the baby’s iron stores become depleted and the iron in breast milk will no longer be sufficient to prevent anemia.

In this case, iron fortified cereals provides the necessary iron levels in order to meet nutritional needs for baby aged six months and up. Most rice cereals provide the recommended daily amount of iron for your baby. According to a research, the low rates of iron deficiency anaemia in Canada and the USA are thought to be partly a result of the wide-spread use of commercially available iron fortified cereals

On the other hand, if you are not breastfeeding, provide your baby with iron-fortified formula milk. Your baby needs iron-fortified formula milk until his first birthday. Babies do not need solid foods until they are 6 months old.

From 6 months, iron-containing pulses (peas, beans, lentils), green leafy vegetables, meat, poultry and eggs can be introduced. Adding these foods daily will help babies get their necessary iron. The green leafy vegetables are also rich in vitamin C, in combination with a good iron source will help your baby’s body absorb more iron.

You can introduce rice cereal into your baby’s diet any time between the age of 4 and 6 months. Rice cereal is a nutritional baby food that can provide essential nutrition such as protein and iron to your baby besides breast milk and infant formula milk. There are many flavors in the market.

You can start with rice cereal mixed with breast milk, infant formula milk or cool boiled water. Mix it until it is quite watery. Make the mixture quite runny to help you baby swallow it. Let your baby try it. He or she will tell you if he or she is ready for solid food or not.

Rice cereal provides the necessary iron levels when mixed with breast milk or iron rich infant formula milk in order to meet nutritional needs for baby aged six months and up. Most rice cereals provide the recommended daily amount of iron for your baby. The Maize Cereal and the Nestum are cereals that need to be mixed with either expressed breast milk or infant formula milk. The Cerelac is the cereal that is mixed with cooled boiled water.

The mixture of wholegrain and white rice in rice cereal contains all essential nutrients that your baby’s body needs for a slow and steady source of energy. The protein content in rice cereal helps in the stages of growth of your baby. The iron is added to rice cereal to avoid your baby suffered from iron-deficiency anemia.

The great news about nutrition during pregnancy is that you have the ability to play a little part in your child’s destiny. By eating right and feeding yourself and your fetus all the necessary nutrients, you can take control of your child’s future health and set a strong foundation that will give you reason to be confident in a healthy infant, healthy toddler and healthy child.

In this case, the need for iron during pregnancy is greater than before, since the blood cells of the baby are also being formed. This also helps prevent fatalities caused by excessive bleeding during childbirth. As a result, a pregnant woman will go into the postnatal period as a healthier person, better placed to face the challenges of new motherhood.

In addition, due to pregnancy, your body is making so much extra blood, that you could become anemic without the help of extra iron. This extra iron supports the extra blood in your system and helps with the growth of the placenta and the fetus. Remember, your baby will take what it needs first to develop and grow, and therefore, your body may suffer if you’re not getting enough of the necessary vitamins and minerals needed throughout pregnancy. Routine blood tests you take throughout your pregnancy will verify whether your hemoglobin levels are normal. If you do become mildly anemic, don’t worry about your baby. The pregnancy anemia can be detected through blood tests.

The recommended foods which are rich in iron are such as lean red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, beans and lentils. On the other hand, vitamin C can help your body to absorb the iron in your diet, so drinking plenty of orange juice will also help prevent you from becoming anemic. Tea and coffee make it difficult for your body to absorb iron, so it’s best to cut down on these drinks or avoid them altogether. To help your body absorb iron you should combine these foods with those rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits or juice, tomatoes, broccoli or cabbage.

It is recommended that pregnant women avoid eating liver as although this is rich in iron it may have adverse health effects during this sensitive time. The red grape juice and prune juice had profound inhibitory effects on iron bioavailability. It is suggested that individuals in need of optimal iron absorption should avoid red grape and prune juice or at least vary the types of juices consumed.