BEEF IN
BABY’S DIET.
If, in the womb, the baby is nourished through the umbilical cord with the necessary substances processed by the mother’s body, breast milk is the unique natural food that facilitates the transition from intrauterine to independent feeding, with the multitude of foods offered by the external environment that the little one will gradually have to accept and assimilate for harmonious development. Diversification, a crucial moment in a baby’s diet, occurs gradually starting from the 6th month of life when certain vegetables are recommended: sweet potato, parsley, zucchini, carrot, parsnip, green beans, pumpkin, bell pepper or sweet pepper, chili pepper, fennel, onion, leek, and garlic.
Once the baby gets used to vegetables and fruits, meat can be introduced because it is an essential source of iron (Fe), and the baby depletes its iron reserves from birth within the first 3-5 months; initially, poultry meat, which is light, can be introduced if it is raised without hormones and antibiotics. After a week, the transition to beef can be made, as it is recommended because it is rich in easily absorbed iron.
Beef provides high-quality proteins, along with iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and vitamins A, B12, C, and D. Amino acids play a role in the construction and maintenance of all tissues and organs, iron prevents anemia to which the baby is predisposed after 5 months, vitamin D is involved in the absorption and fixation of calcium in bones, and, along with vitamin C and A, it strengthens the immune system. Vitamin B12 is involved in the formation of red blood cells and the functioning of the nervous system. All these nutrients are found in a small piece of meat!
Since meat is a complex food, it is crucial to carefully choose the source of meat for the baby to benefit from it maximally. The more naturally animals are raised and fed, the healthier and more beneficial their meat will be, which is why Angus beef is one of the healthiest options.
The baby’s meat should be best prepared by boiling it in water, possibly with very little oil. The meat must then be minced and pureed to be incorporated into the vegetable puree. Boiling small quantities and consuming even the water in which the meat boiled is recommended. That water, full of precious minerals, can be used to obtain the meat and vegetable puree. If the little one does not accept this food from the first try, it is recommended to prepare a puree with equal parts of vegetables and beef. Vegetables nutritionally complement beef by providing fiber, carbohydrates, and vitamins.
Beyond the validity of these guidelines, the diversification of a baby’s diet will be done by consulting the pediatrician, who will adapt nutritional principles to the particularities of your little one.
However, when it comes to the quality of beef, a reliable source for both children and adults is offered by Karpaten Meat farm, where Angus cattle are raised freely on pasture and fed with grass, without the administration of antibiotics, growth hormones, premixes, or soy. Healthy foods also mean transparency in the obtaining process, in other words, traceability. Premium Angus beef provides complete traceability for an extra level of trust and a portion of health on the plate!
