What’s that flavour?

How does this sound: Organic New Zealand beef, apple, beetroot and pumpkin for the main course, and a strawberry goji custard smoothie for dessert. Even if you’re not a masterchef, these are what you can serve at home – to Baby! Take a walk down the supermarket aisles – you’ll find that packaged baby food now sounds like dishes from a restaurant menu and comes in every hipster ingredient you can think of, from kale to millet.

“The world is so much smaller these days, so we get food from everywhere,” paediatrician Janice Wong from Thomson Paediatric Centre observes. What’s “hip” or “exotic” here, such as quinoa, is in fact a staple in African and South American diets; just as rice is to Asians. But which is most nutritious for your little one? Dr Wong says she often gets that question from new parents. “I’d always remind them to look at the food pyramid. Just like your diet, you should aim to give your baby mostly carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables, then some protein and very little fat, oils, sugar and salt,” she adds.

So follow the dietary guidelines – and your family’s preference. “If you have varied taste buds, why not expand your baby’s palate?” she says. The key is to introduce him to new ingredients gradually, in case of food allergies, and in textures that are appropriate for his age. “Parents always say: ‘Oh, my child cannot take spicy dishes.’ But Indian babies grow up eating curry.

“My two kids started taking curry with roti prata and chilli with chicken rice when they were one. I told them: ‘You taste it, you decide. If you like it, you continue,’” Dr Wong recalls with a laugh. Her children are now 10 and seven. “There’s no harm. Your child develops a very international palate from a young age. You can take him anywhere in the world and he’ll have no problem adjusting to the food.”

We speak to the experts to find out more about the nutritional values behind the ingredients that are showing up in packaged baby food.

QUINOA

Packed with eight amino acids, it’s considered a complete protein – half a cup of this grain meets your young child’s daily protein needs, says Fiona Chia, a nutritionist and founder of Health Can Be Fun, a consultancy firm. TRY

● Nurtur Me Organic protein-packed quinoa cereal, $2.95 for a 13g pouch, from www.coldstorage.com.sg

● Only Organic banana, blueberry and quinoa, $3.80 for a 120g pouch, from www.agapebabies.com

● Babybio Organic vegetables and quinoa, $3.50 for a 200g jar, from www.agapebabies.com

MILLET

Like rice, this wholegrain is easy to digest and unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, says Kaira Goh, a dietitian and assistant medical marketing and affairs manager at Danone Dumex, a milk company. But it is richer in B vitamins and fibre than rice. The mildly nutty grain is also free of gluten. TRY

● Plum Organics sweet potato, mango and millet, $4 for a 99g pouch, from www.agapebabies.com

GOJI (WOLFBERRIES)

A great source of carotenoid and zeaxanthin, these help visual development. They’re also rich in calcium, iron and vitamin C, says Fiona. Chances are, your baby will take well to them since they are slightly sweet. TRY

● Little Duck Organics mango and goji freeze-dried fruit and yogurt, $8.30 for a 21g pouch, from www.redmart.com

● Only Organic strawberry goji custard smoothie, $4.20 for a 100g pouch, from www.agapebabies.com

KALE

Like other dark green veggies such as spinach and broccoli, kale is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, B, C, E and K, folate, calcium, iron and zinc. These are all essential for Baby’s growth, and promote healthy brain function, as well as strong bones and muscles, says Nehal Kamdar, senior dietician at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Antioxidants found in dark green vegetables boost his immune system, too. They’re also high in fibre, which promotes healthy bowel function. TRY

● Sprout Organic Baby Food peas, brown rice, white beans and kale, $5.20 for a 113g pouch, from www.mothercare.com.sg

● Happy Squeeze organic apple, kale and mango, $10.20 for four 90g pouches, from www.supernature.com.sg

● Happy Munchies organic broccoli, kale and cheddar cheese baked snack, $7.60 for a 46g can, from www.redmart.com

BEETROOT

This starchy root vegetable is an excellent source of vitamins A, C and B6. Vitamin A, especially beta-carotene, is essential for cell growth, helps to maintain good vision and has antioxidant effects. It is also rich in minerals such as potassium, iron, manganese and fibre. Root vegetables, including pumpkin, sweet potato, butternut squash, potato and carrot, have a natural sweetness that Baby will like. TRY

● Green Monkey organic New Zealand beef, apple, beetroot and pumpkin, $5 for a 100g pouch, from www.supernature.com.sg

● Plum Organics Mighty Sticks wholegrain berry beet snack, $7.90 for a 60g box, www.agapebabies.com

LENTILS & SOYA

If you’re worried that your little one is not consuming enough meat, fish or other iron-rich food, add these to his diet. Beans are a rich source of iron, which is essential for making red blood cells. Since plant-based foods are less easily absorbed by the body compared to animal sources, pair them with vitamin C-rich food such as oranges and broccoli, recommends Dr Ruth Chan, research assistant professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s department of medicine and therapeutics. This combination helps improve iron absorption. TRY

● Earth’s Best organic rice and lentil, $2.35 for a 113g jar, from www.coldstorage.com.sg

● Nestle Cerelac rice and soya cereal, $6.50 for a 350g tin, from leading supermarkets

CINNAMON

Avoid adding salt and sugar to Baby’s diet. But mild spices, such as cinnamon, coriander, cumin and turmeric, are healthy ingredients that will make bland food more exciting, Dr Chan says. TRY

● Rafferty’s Garden apple, pear and cinnamon, $3.20 for a 120g pouch, from www.fairprice.com.sg

● Healthy Times Teddy Puffs apple cinnamon finger food, $7.20 for a 156g box, from www.agapebabies.com

● Happy Tot sweet potato, apple, carrot and cinnamon, $3.30 for a 120g pouch, from www.mothercare.com.sg

● Bellamy’s Organic berries, cinnamon and apple, $3.15 for a 90g pouch, from www.agapebabies.com

SALMON & TUNA

These cold-water fatty fish are a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats are critical in the development of the brain, eyes and nerves. TRY

● Kewpie salmon, vegetables and potato, $3.70 for an 80g pouch, from www.redmart.com

● Heinz creamy pasta and tuna mornay, $3.15 for a 170g jar, from www.redmart.com

PASTA

The main ingredient here is wheat flour, which is high in carbohydrates, the body’s primary source of fuel. TRY

● Heinz Farley’s Baby noodle in spinach or carrot, $4.50 for a 252g box, from leading supermarkets

● Hipp organic vegetable lasagne, $3.50 for a 190g jar, from www.redmart.com

● Bellamy’s Organic spring veg macaroni, $3.15 for a 110g pouch, from www.mothercare.com.sg

● Ella’s Kitchen organic tomato pasta, $6.30 for a 190g pouch, from www.redmart.com

SEAWEED

This is rich in iodine, an essential mineral for strong metabolism and brain development, Dr Chan says. It’s also known to help with digestion, and its natural flavour is a great alternative to salt. TRY

● Pigeon seaweed rice biscuits, $4.90 for a 14g box, from www.fairprice.com.sg

● Wakodo seaweed whitebait cracker, $4.90 for a 50g box, from www.agapebabies.com

TURKEY

Baby doesn’t have to wait till Christmas to enjoy it. Like all meat, it’s a good source of protein and iron. Iron helps to make new red blood cells and maintain a healthy immune system. An inadequate supply leads to iron-deficiency anaemia, which affects psychomotor development and his ability to concentrate. TRY

● Happy Baby Hearty Meals Gobble Gobble organic turkey, vegetables, fruit and quinoa, $3.90 for a 113g pouch, from www.agapebabies.com

● Healthy Times Grandma’s turkey dinner, $2.50 for a 113g jar, from www.mothercare.com.sg