Spaghetti

Buttercup is mainly eating the same dinners as Hubby and I now. When we first started baby-led solids we would give her a single food item to work on. Now she happily chows down on complex meals. For example, I like to make a healthier version of spaghetti bolognese with: whole wheat noodles, Morning Star crumbles (meat alternative), spinach, mushrooms, garden tomatoes, and cream cheese. We gave some to Buttercup 's. The only difference I made to her portion was that I threw in some avocado, because I had to use some up and Buttercup hasn't been too thrilled with avocado lately (see Avocado, take 2). I made a little spaghetti pile on Buttercup's tray, since this is what's worked best with similar items (ex: tabouleh, rice).

Buttercup ate it all with gusto, even the mushrooms and tomatoes. I guess she likes those foods cooked better than raw. Also, this was the first time Buttercup had eaten dairy products that she didn't stink (see dairy posts). It was only a small amount, but maybe her body is getting better at handling it? Anyway, I love that her meals require so little preparation (and virtually no extra cost). BLS is so easy!

PROS: good way to combine lots of healthy foods

CONS: requires a bath afterwards

Mostaccioli

It was a happy day when Buttercup's grandma showed up on our doorstep with a pan of mostaccioli! I was very prepared to not have to cook dinner, but I was unprepared for Buttercup's response to this new food combo. I have never seen her eat so much in one sitting, consuming about a half cup of mostaccioli. It was a sight to behold!

I'm not sure of the exact recipe, but the dish contained ground turkey meat, penne noodles, tomatoes and portobella mushrooms. We weren't sure if Buttercup would like it, considering her response the first time she tried tomato and mushroom, but after her first little taste she devoured every little scrap she could find on her tray... and then had seconds. Ironically, this was one of her cleanest meals, since no little pieces of food ended up on the floor or in her high chair. Yep, she was that intense!

This meal provided Buttercup with lots of protein and nutrition along with the multiple flavors, and it provided me with the mandatory "baby covered in pasta sauce" photo. I think she will be enjoying this meal again soon.

PROS: yummy yummy

CONS: staining

Pasta

I made a vegetable lasagna for dinner one night and gave Buttercup a few leftover lasagna noodles. They were a bit tricky for her to pick up because they kept suctioning themselves to her highchair tray, but if we moved them to the edge she could pick them up easily enough. Obviously, something like a penne noodle would have been ideal for baby led solids, but sometimes you just have to make do with what you have! I have since tried rotini noodles and they were much easier for Buttercup to hold on to.

I only ever have whole wheat pasta in my house, so that's what Buttercup had. I read something once about making sure your baby doesn't eat too much fiber/whole grain before they're first birthday. Something about nutrient absorption and making them feel full too soon... I've scoured the internet for that article and can't for the life of me find it, so I guess it's not too important? I am definitely not giving Buttercup too many starches/grains. I want the bulk of her solid foods to be fruits, veggies and meats. Her carbs can come from breastmilk, which is still the best food for her.

PROS: easy to chew

CONS: a little tricky to handle