Sweet Potatoes for Babies: Nutrition & Meal Ideas
Sweet potatoes are a fan-favorite veggie for all ages and often a go-to for a baby’s first solids. Let’s dive into what makes this superstar starch so good—both in taste and nutrition!
Benefits of Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a root vegetable that grows from a flowering plant. The skin color varies from white to yellow, red, purple, and brown, while the insides range from white to orange-red. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, including:
- Vitamin A (beta-carotene): Contains antioxidants to help protect against cell damage. It may also help your heart, lungs, and other organs work properly, maintain bone growth, and support healthy vision (source).
- Vitamin B6: Has antioxidants and can offer anti-inflammatory benefits. It may also be important for optimal brain development.
- Vitamin C: Contains antioxidants to help protect against cell damage. It may help support healthy vision and improve iron absorption.
- Potassium: Essential nutrient that may contribute to the maintenance of body functions including proper kidney and heart function, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission.
- Fiber: Supports a healthier gut and regulation of blood sugar levels.
Note: These are known benefits of the listed vitamins and minerals. Sweet potato benefits may vary based on serving size and other factors.
Sweet Potato Serving Suggestions for Babies
Sweet potatoes can be served starting at 6 months. For first solids, you can introduce sweet potatoes as a purée blended with other superfoods, fats, and fresh spices for a balanced meal. The sweet taste tends to mask more bitter vegetables, so it can be a great companion when introducing a new veggie or flavor that your little one might otherwise spit out. As your baby gets bigger, try serving the same meal combinations as finger food. Just be sure to bake or steam the sweet potatoes long enough so that the flesh is soft for mashing between gums or newly budding teeth.
For a quick and easy serving of sweet potato, you can always go with a ready-to-serve or ready-to-cook baby food. Thankfully, we’ve got some great options:
Ready-to-Serve Pouches:
Ready-to-Cook Meals:
No matter how you slice them—or purée, or mash, or cube—sweet potatoes are a delicious, nutritious, and highly versatile veggie. They’re a perfect intro to solids, and a great meal, side, treat, what-have-you, for all the years to follow.
