Hi S.---I'm pretty sure your daughter will be just fine offering her the same healthy foods that you eat for meals. I don't necessarity agree that for now, food is just for practice as they will receive nutrients from anything that they eat, but I do remember that babies need to learn how to use their tongues differently when swallowing food rather than liquids from the breast or bottle.
Be wary of anything with cow's milk in it, even after she turns 1. Cow's milk is highly allergenic and most people can't even imagine that allergies and other health issues can be caused by milk. For more info, go to www.strongbones.org. As long as your daughter gets a variety of fruits, veggies, whole grains and legumes each day, she should be fine. If you are concerned with nutrients, as softer food for babies often needs to be cooked longer, I have a great solution for you. A company that I work with has found a way to put 17 different fruits, vegetables and grains in capsule, chewable or gummy form. It contains all of the nutrients and live enzymes that the same foods have in raw form. Thirteen independent studies show that this product gets into the bloodstream and it benefits the immune system and well as protects and repairs DNA, and it's only FOOD. If you are interested, I would be happy to share more about this at your convenience. It is like nutrition insurance for my family.
Don't worry about your daughter. She will not starve herself and if you offer healthy choices while avoiding possible problems like honey and cow's milk, you should be fine. I have to tell a story about a friend's 1 yr old. We went out to lunch for sushi and she fed her daughter edemame (soybeans, which you can find in the healthy foods freezer section at Kroger, very healthy and loaded with protein) and then the seaweed and tofu cubes from the miso soup. She also liked to suck on the lemon slices that we had for our water. Kids instictively know how to feed themselves good food, if it is offered to them. If they don't like it today, try again next week. It takes up to 10 to 14 offerings before a child decides to try and like a new food.
You can reach me at ###-###-#### if you would like any other information or shopping ideas/lists for healthy family meals. I am a soon to be certified wellness educator and I have lots of good info to share. My education services are free of charge. Good luck to your healthy, happy family. Talk to you soon. D. www.dianeshealthed.com