What food is typically introduced first to infants due to its low allergenic potential?

Rice cereal is commonly introduced as one of the first foods for infants primarily because of its low allergenic potential. This means it is less likely to provoke an allergic reaction compared to other foods. Infants often start on rice cereal around the age of six months, which coincides with the developmental stage when they begin solid foods.

Additionally, rice cereal is easy to digest and usually fortifies iron, which is an essential nutrient that infants may become deficient in as they grow and their iron stores deplete. The texture and bland flavor of rice cereal also make it suitable for newborns, helping them to adapt to solid foods without overwhelming them with strong flavors.

In contrast, other foods listed, such as puréed fruits and mashed vegetables, may be delicious and nutritious but can contain more natural sugars and fibers that might be harder for an infant's immature digestive system to handle initially. Eggs, while highly nutritious, are also considered more allergenic, which is why they are typically introduced later in the feeding process, once the infant has already been exposed to a range of other foods.