12 Food Rules Meghan Markle And The Royal Baby Are Going To Have To Abide By Once She Gives Birth
We know what Meghan Markle eats in a day. We know what Kate Middleton, all the Princes, and the Queen eat in a day. And yet there's not much talk about what a royal baby eats in a day, regardless of if he/she is fresh out or is a toddler. Over the years, though, royal chefs and miscellaneous Palace sources have revealed what the royal baby food regimen entails, both from the mother's perspective and the child's. Sure, it's super healthy, but it's also traditional in a way you might not have even imagined.
Anyway, now that THE ROYAL BABY IS HERE (!!!!!!!!), here's what we know.
Until pretty recently, royals weren't allowed to breastfeed.
It's been widely reported royals were ardently against breastfeeding until as recently as the 20th century. In fact, they thought it was both improper and dangerous and would ask other upperclass women to nurse their children for them. It was only with Queen Elizabeth's rise to the throne that this attitude changed, likely because there was so much pressure from the media and public for royals to be more accessible humans. She reportedly breastfed Charles and Kate has reportedly alternated between both breast- and bottle-feeding all of her children.
If they do, they can't have garlic.
The Guardian reports the women who fed royal babies in their mothers' places were not allowed to eat garlic lest it affect the "flavor" of their milk. It's likely today's Duchesses abide by the same rule when they breastfeed, especially as the Queen remains vehemently opposed to garlic.
Or spices.
Yeah, they're supposed to stick to "bland" foods for the entirety of their breastfeeding weeks/months/years.
Or alcohol.
This is less a concern about the "flavor" of the milk the baby receives so much as it is a rule a lot of new moms abide by, and we know both Kate and Meghan are super health-conscious.
The baby's diet will definitely consist of apples and pears from the Queen’s Sandringham estate.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady told TODAY.com he prepared "[Will and Harry's] first meals of steamed apples and pears from the Queen’s Sandringham country retreat." Anyone having to do with the baby's food (we'll get to who that "anyone" is in a minute) knows to include Sandringham apples and pears on the kid's menu—it's a long-standing healthy and royal tradition by this point.
Those apples and pears will be hand-puréed.
Babies can't just bite into apples and pears, duh. Not only would McGrady steam the fruit, but he'd also ensure it was mushed down into something safe for a lil dude who is new to the whole eating food thing.
Twice.
Yeah, no once-puréed fruits for royal babies. Each meal they get that involves fresh produce is puréed, mashed, and strained two times by royal chefs before the baby is allowed to eat it. That's to ensure there are no hidden lumps among the healthy mush.
They'll have several chefs on hand to ensure the baby never eats packaged food.
In fact, McGrady said he'd never seen baby-related packaged food in the Palace at any point during his tenure. Among the Queen's kitchen staff of 20-plus members, at least two were dedicated to the baby's diet: "One chef in the palace kitchen would puree chicken, lamb or beef and another would do the same with cooked vegetables such as peas, carrots and cauliflower," the Metro reports.
When the baby is ready to eat solids, they'll eat solely organic.
Whether it's apples, pears, chicken, cauliflower, or just about anything else, the royal baby will only eat the organic version. That we can attribute to Charles and his longstanding and adamant support of organic farming.
The royal nannies generally have input on the baby's diet. A lot of input.
Believe it or not, it's not unusual for royal nannies to have more say over the baby's diet than the baby's parents. Seriously—Kate and Will's children's nannies mostly manage George and Charlotte's intake, and it's likely whomever watches Meggie and Harry's little one will, too. Of the nanny's input McGrady has said:
The Royal nursery wasn’t just for educating the minds of the young royals but educating their palates, too. Nanny always had control of the menu and made sure they ate balanced meals that included not only lots of healthy vegetables but introduced them to new grownup dishes, too.
Still, the parents will ensure the kid eats the way they'd like him/her too.
In the case of Meghan and Harry in particular, the baby will grow up adhering to a "farm-to-table ethos," which is something Meggie once wrote on her now-defunct lifestyle site was ingrained in her as a child. The Daily Mail confirms the Duke and Duchess's new residence will allow for tons of gardening space, meaning Meghan can grow all the "vegetables, herbs, and soft fruits" she desires. There have even been reports the Queen is upset as the Sussexes may very well be planning to raise their baby entirely vegan on the stuff Meghan grows at home.
...Basically, the baby's gonna eat healthily.
Royal babies are allowed treats...sometimes.
Still, the nannies are typically in charge of menus because the parents like to be a little more lenient. If you're wondering what that means, here's a whole round-up of FUN things Kate gives the babies behind closed doors.
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