Nutrition Insights
Explore the science of child nutrition through practical, evidence-based guides on topics such as complementary feeding, toddler feeding tricks, and everything in between, designed to support your family's journey toward healthy growing kids.
Making Nutrition Accessible
Understanding the building blocks of child nutrition doesn't have to be overwhelming. At Imara, we believe in translating complex science into daily actions. From the first bites of infancy to the varied needs of active toddlers, every nutrient plays a critical role in cognitive development, physical growth, and long-term health.
Our research-led approach focuses on bioavailability and nutrient density, ensuring that the food on your child's plate is working as hard as they are.
Featured Recipe
Sweet & Savory Lentil Veggie Bites
Easy, Iron-Rich, and Kid-Approved (9 Months+)
Around 6-9 months, babies' iron needs jump significantly - right as breast milk or formula alone stops covering the gap. Most first-food guides and commercial foods lean on fruit and simple carbs, which don't move the needle on iron at all.
Lentils are one of the most accessible plant--based sources of iron, and this recipe pairs them with vitamin C from carrot and zucchini which helps the body absorb that iron more effectively. It's a small swap with real nutritional payoff.
The Recipe
Makes about 12 mini bites | Prep: 15 min | Cook: ~25 min | Freezer-friendly
Soft, easy to grip, mild enough for first bites — and tasty enough that the whole family will steal a few off the plate.
Ingredients
-
½ cup dried red lentils
-
1 cup water (for cooking lentils)
-
½ cup carrot, finely grated
-
½ cup zucchini, finely grated and squeezed dry
-
1 large egg
-
⅓ cup rolled oats, blended into flour
-
¼ cup grated mild cheddar cheese
-
¼ tsp ground cumin
-
⅛ tsp garlic powder
-
1 tbsp olive oil, for the pan
Instructions
-
Cook the lentils. Rinse the lentils and combine with water in a small pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes, until very soft and the water is absorbed.
-
Cool slightly. Let the cooked lentils cool for a few minutes while you prep the veggies.
-
Mix the batter. In a bowl, combine the cooked lentils, carrot, zucchini, egg, oat flour, cheddar, cumin, and garlic powder. Stir until it holds together like a thick batter.
-
Shape the bites. Scoop small spoonfuls and flatten gently into mini patties — about the size of a baby's palm for easy self-feeding, or larger for older siblings.
-
Cook. Heat olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Cook the patties 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and set in the middle.
-
Cool and serve. Let cool to a safe temperature before serving. For babies just starting solids, cut into soft strips instead of rounds.
Notes
-
Freezer-friendly: cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before bagging. Reheat gently from frozen.
-
Swap cheddar for a dairy-free alternative if needed.
-
Skip garlic powder before 12 months if you prefer to introduce it later.
-
Loved this recipe? Share it with a friend who's starting solids — and check back next month for a new easy, nutrient-packed recipe from Imara.
Did You Know?
It can take up to 15 exposures for a child to accept a new vegetable. Consistency is more important than the amount eaten in a single sitting.
Our Blog: Translating Nutrition
New nutrition research and guidelines drop constantly. We read them so you don't have to — monthly, on the blog.
This month, three connected reads on why iron matters more than most parents realise, and why it's gotten harder to get enough of it.
Stay tuned, A new article drops each week.
Common Myths About Feeding Babies and Young Kids
Myth: "Bland is best when starting solids." Babies are born ready to explore flavor; herbs, mild spices, and variety early on can actually support more adventurous eating later. Bland doesn't mean safer, just less interesting.
Myth: "Iron-rich foods aren't necessary until my child is eating a full diet." Iron needs increase significantly around 6 months, right as babies start relying less on breastmilk or formula for it. Waiting until "they eat more" can leave a real gap.
Myth: "If my child won't eat a food once, they don't like it." It can take 10+ exposures to a new food before a child accepts it. One refusal is data, not a verdict.
Myth: "Baby food needs to be sold in a pouch to be convenient." Whole, simple foods — mashed, mixed, or finger-sized — can be just as fast to prepare and offer more texture variety, which supports oral motor development.
Myth Busters and FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What age should my child start solid foods? Most guidance points to around 6 months, based on developmental readiness (sitting with support, head control, interest in food) rather than age alone.
How do I know if my child is getting enough iron? The only way to truly know your child's Iron levels is through a simple blood test done through your physician or care provider, however signs that your childs' iron could be low (anaemic) include pale skin, irritability or fussiness, poor appetite, low energy, less interest in play, slower growth and development, craving non-food items like ice, dirt, or starch (pica), or a rapid heartbeat without exercise. If you see any of these signs, seek medical care immediately.
Are Toto Moto products a substitute for a balanced diet? No — Toto Moto products are food, formulated to support a varied, nutrient-rich diet. They aren't a medical or therapeutic product and should not be considered a complementary food, not a replacement food.
How often is new content added to the blog and recipes? New recipes are posted monthly, alongside blog deep-dives on nutrition topics. Sometimes blogs will be posted more frequently so check in as often as you'd like!
Can I use these recipes for my whole family, not just my baby? Yes — most recipes are designed to be enjoyed by the whole table, not just the youngest eater.