Green Bean Baby Food - Age for Introduction to Baby:
(4)6-8 Months - Please be aware that the current recommendations for introducing solid foods are 6 months old!
The Goodness of Green Beans for Baby Food:
Need a calcium boost? Eat a cup of green beans for 66 mg of calcium! Low on vitamin K or vitamin C; turn to that cup of green beans and get a infusion of these vitamins! Vitamin A and manganese are also found in abundance in just one cup of green beans!
The many nutrients in green beans can help you prevent a number of different conditions, including Alzheimer's, atherosclerosis, diabetic heart disease, colon cancer, asthma, arthritis, acne, ear infections, and maybe even colds and flu’s. Good reasons to add them to your Homemade Baby Food shopping list the next time you head to the grocery store.
GREEN BEANS (one cup - cooked)
VITAMINS:
Vitamin A - 752 IU
Vitamin C - 12 mg
Niacin - .51 mg
Folate - 41 mcg
Pantothenic Acid - .06 mg
Vitamin K - 17 mg
Contains some other vitamins in small amounts
MINERALS
Potassium - 170 mg
Sodium - 12 mg
Calcium - 66 mg
Phosphorus - 67 mg
Magnesium - .04 mg
Iron - 1.9 mg
Also contains small amounts of selenium, manganese, copper and zinc.
When can I introduce Green Beans to my baby?
Green Beans are typically recommended for introduction into a baby's diet between (4)6-8 months old. The green bean ranks very low on the list of foods that prompt allergic reactions. This fact mainly accounts for why the vegetable may be introduced so early.
As green beans are very hard to get pureed into a very fine, smooth consistency, you may wish to wait until closer to the 6-8 month age range to begin introducing them. You can put them in a strainer and work out the “skins” if using fresh or you can use frozen for a smoother consistency and minimal effort to work out the “skins”. Some parents prefer to wait to introduce green beans when baby is older and may eat them as Baby Finger Foods!
As always, we recommend that you thoroughly discuss any feeding issues with your pediatrician as generalities may not apply to your child
A Few Green Bean Baby Food Recipes:
Green Beans - Basic
1. Clean & snap green beans (Skip if using frozen!)
2. Steam until tender
3. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing. Use a sieve if needed to get rid of the hulls.
4. Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency
OR
5. Cook frozen green beans (watch for salt) according to package directions
6. Follow Steps 3 and 4
Green Bean Salad
1 cup steamed green beans
1 cup steamed carrots
1 cup steamed Summer squash
Dice all veggies into small bite-sized peices and combine.
Puree or chop as needed for your baby's taste and texture preferences! Serve warm or as a cold finger food snack!
Green Beans & Peppered Rice
(8 months +)
16 ounces green beans, cooked
1 red bell pepper, sliced in strips
1 yellow or orange bell pepper, sliced in strips
1 small onion, halved and sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter (we prefer olive oil!)
pinch of pepper
Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add cooked green beans, peppers, onion, and garlic. Saute slowly, until peppers aretender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add pepper to taste.
Serve chopped or pureed with Brown Rice
Foods Good to Mix With Green Beans:
Carrots
White Potato
Summer Squash - zucchini or yellow/crooked necked
Brown Rice
Lentils
Chicken
Beef
Tofu
