Healthy fats are crucial for your baby's development

Your baby's brain is made out of 60% fat - built by the fats in their diet.

Breastmilk is full of healthy fats because our babies are dependent on this macronutirent for their health, growth and development. So it is also essential to include healthy fats in the baby's diet when starting solids.

Healthy fats are important for:

- Baby's nervous system

- Brain development

- Eye Health

- Stable blood sugar

- Balanced hormonal development

- Digestive system support

- Increasing nutrition absorption (Vitamin D3, E, K2 and Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc)

- Immune system and to lower risk of developing food sensitivities or allergies

Until today it is often still believed that low-fat products are better for us, and fat overall is often blamed for many illnesses. This myth is an unhealthy misconception because fat is an essential part of a balanced diet for us and our babies. The only fat I do not recommend is trans fat. It can cause inflammation in our bodies and lead to obesity. Trans fats are mainly found in industrial seed oils, margarine, processed foods, and sacks.

Here are some of my favorite healthy fat foods/oils:

- Oils: coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, flaxseed oil, walnut oil, sesame oil, nut oil, hemp seed oil (extra virgin, cold/first pressed, organic if possible)

- Butter (grass-fed if possible)

- Ghee (grass-fed if possible)

- Avocado

- Coconut (Coconut yogurt, coconut butter, coconut cream/milk, shredded coconut)

- Olives

- Nuts & Seeds

- Eggs (pasture-raised if possible)

- Sardines, Salmon, North Atlantic Mackerel, Cod Liver Oil

- Full-Fat dairy products (organic, pasture-raised if possible)

- Bone Marrow

- Meat, Liver (grass-fed if possible)

- Sea Vegetables: kelp, nori, wakame

I recommend including a source of healthy fat to every meal.

If you have more questions about important nutrients for your baby/children or how to best create balanced meals, feel free to reach out and book your free consulting session with me.