Lentils, Legumes and Dried Beans for Baby Food - Age for Introduction to Baby: 8-10 Months
The Goodness of Lentils and Dried Beans
Lentils may be small but they sure do pack a lot of nutritional whallops! Like other "dried beans" lentils are in the legume family. Lentils are high in fiber and thus great for bowel regularity amongst the other benefits of a high fiber food. Lentils contain high of six minerals as well as B-vitamins, and protein.
LENTILS (one cup - cooked)
VITAMINS:
Vitamin A - 16 IU
Vitamin C - 3 mg
Niacin - 2 mg
Folate - 358 mcg
Thiamin - .3 mg
Riboflavin - .14 mg
Contains some other vitamins in small amounts
MINERALS
Potassium - 731 mg
Sodium - 12 mg
Calcium - 38 mg
Phosphorus - 356 mg
Magnesium - 71 mg
Iron - 6.5 mg
Also contains small amounts of selenium, manganese, copper and zinc.
When can I introduce Lentils, Legumes and Dried Beans to my baby?
Lentils and dried beans/legumes are typically recommended for introduction into a baby's diet between 8-10 months old. Considered a high protein food, a young tummy may not be able to properly digest lentils and other legumes such as kidney beans or navy beans. Lentils and other legumes are often the source and cause of gassiness.
With this being said, many parents make lentils a part of baby's diet between 6-8 months of age.These legumes and bean rank very low on the list of foods that prompt allergic reactions.
As always, we recommend that you thoroughly discuss any feeding issues with your pediatrician as generalities may not apply to your child
Types of Lentils, Legumes and Dried Beans to use for Homemade Baby Food
Lentils and dried beans/legumes come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Here are a few:
Red Lentils (Masoor Dal)
Orange Lentils
Yellow Lentils (Moong Dal)
Kidney Beans
Black Eyed Peas
Chick Peas
Northern Bean
Butter Beans (A VERY yummy finger food, you may need to slip off the "skin" after cooking!)
A Few Lentil and Dried Bean Baby Food Recipes:
Lentils or Dried Beans- Basic
Lentils do not need to be presoaked like some legumes do though many people find that soaking them for at least 1 hour helps to make them more tender and "meltable". Most people also soak dried beans prior to cooking.
You should spread out the lentils or dried beansand check for, and remove, stones or other debris. This recommendation applies to both packaged as well as bulk! After you have inspected the lentils or dried beans, place them in a strainer, and rinse them thoroughly under cool running water.
1. Add 3 cups of water to a pot
2. Add 1 cup of lentils or beans
3. Turn heat down to simmer and cover the pot. Green lentils usually take 30 minutes to cook, while red lentils tend to cook up faster, about 20 minutes.
4. Cook longer for a more mushy lentil (like dahl) and shorter for more firm lentils (for adding to rice dishes and salads etc.
5. Watch the pot for the texture you wish to have for baby food - add more water as needed.
Dal Recipe(s) from our visitors
Tulika's Dal
With regards to your question about making the perfect Dal..I have a small steam cooker that I use to make dal for my daughter.
If you dont have a cooker, you can use a crock pot also (I have a small crock pot).
I flavour the dal with a small amount of tumeric and a tiny amout of salt. My daughter LOVES it.
I also add a small amount of rice to it also for added texture and flavour. before feeding it to her I make sure its mashed up nicely. cooking dal in a cooker/crockpot will melt the dal nicely so that there is no choking danger.
Lentils with Chicken & Apples
Prepare Lentils according to package directions or as shown above. Be sure to clean and sort the Lentils to ensure that "garden bits" such as small pebbles are not present.
Add small cubes or dices of cooked chicken and cooked apple chunks.
You can add 1/2 apple (cored and diced into tiny bits) to the lentils as they are cooking if you wish.
Alternatively, you can mix in some 100% Natural Applesauce to the Chicken nd Lentil mix should you not wish to steam or cook the apples.
Blend the mix as needed to create a texture acceptable for your baby.
Black Bean & Sweet Potato Hash
1 large onion, chopped
3 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
1 sweet red pepper, chopped (optional)
4 cups peeled, cubed sweet potatoes (1/2 inch cubes)
2 15-ounch cans black beans, drained and rinsed or 4 cups dried black beans that have been cooked
Pepper
In large skillet, saute onion and thyme in oil until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add red pepper and sweet potatoes; saute until potatoes begin to soften, about 8 minutes. Stir in beans and cook until potatoes are tender, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with pepper.
Serve with Baby Omlettes or as a great finger food "meal" full of protein and Iron!
Recipe Adapted from the American Dry Bean Board
Split Pea Soup with Treasures
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 white onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, pressed
4 small red potatoes, diced
1 cup peeled, diced carrots
1 pound dry green split peas
4 cups vegetable broth (no salt - or make your own!)
1 (16 ounce) package soft tofu (optional)
1 (6 ounce) bag fresh spinach, finely chopped (optional)
1 tablespoon dried basil or thyme
pepper to taste
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and saute the onion and garlic until tender.
In a large pot, mix the onion mixture, potatoes, carrots, and split peas. Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 1 hour.
In a blender or food processor, blend the tofu and spinach until creamy, and mix into the pot. Season with basil, and pepper. Continue cooking 1 hour. If the soup becomes too thick, add water as needed.
Foods Good to Mix With Lentils & Legumes:
Apples
Peaches
Grapes
Green Beans
Dried Beans
White Potato
Sweet Potato
Peas
Summer Squash - zucchini or yellow/crooked necked
Winter Squash - butternut, acorn etc.
Brown Rice
Lentils
Chicken
Beef
Pork
Tofu
Visit our Combinations page to see more Homemade Baby Food Combination Ideas
