Spinach for Baby Food - Age for Introduction to Baby:
10 - 12 Months
The Goodness of Spinach:
Spinach is an amazing source of Calcium! Spinach also contains respectable amounts of Vitamin A and Selenium too! Spinach is an oxalate food as well as a nitrate food so eating spinach in moderation is a good idea!
Spinach: (one cup, cooked)
VITAMINS:
Vitamin A - 213 mg
Vitamin C - 0 mg
Pantothenic Acid - .3 mg
Niacin - 2.1 mg
Riboflavin - .1 mg
Thaimine - .1 mg
Folate - 16.9 mcg
Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.
MINERALS:
Potassium - 81 mg
Phosphorus - 151 mg
Magnesium - 2.1 mg
Calcium - 42 mg
Sodium - 19 mg
Iron - 1.5 mg
Selenium - 30 mg
Also contains small amount of copper, manganese and other.
When can I introduce Spinach to my baby?
It would best to wait to introduce spinach into baby's diet until between 10-12 months of age. Waiting until after 10 months of age to introduce baby to spinach, particularly homemade spinach, would ensure that the nitrate issue has passed. Waiting will also allow your baby to enjoy spinach in a chopped form rather than a pureed form. As always, we recommend that you consult with your baby's pediatrician on introducing solid foods as generalities may not apply to your infant.
How to select and store Spinach for baby food
When selecting Spinach for homemade baby food, try to purchase fresh whenever possible. You may also purchase bagged fresh spinach if you prefer. Purchasing fresh spinach allows you to select tender and firm leaves that are not wilty or otherwise damaged. Frozen spinach is an option as well!
For proper storage, be sure to
keep spinach in the vegetable crisper of your refrigerator!
The best way to cook Spinach for baby food recipes
You may steam or boil spinach however we recommend sauteeing in a wee bit of olive oil. Spinach is cooked when the leaves are soft, tender and have shrunk. Cooked spinach will appear to be stringy and "wilty".
A Few Spinach Baby Food Recipes:
Spinach Baby Food Puree
1. Thoroughly cleanse fresh spinach and pick out damaged leaves
2. Steam in a pot with a steamer basket insert (water should just peek through the holes of the basket).
3. Leaves will shrink and appear wilted when done.
(DO NOT USE COOKING WATER TO PUREE!)
4. Drain and puree spinach in blender or food processor,
5. Add fresh water until mixture is of the desired consistency.
Sautéed Spinach Baby Food **
(May be used for Kale and Collards also)
1. Thoroughly cleanse fresh spinach and pick out damaged leaves
2. Heat olive oil in a frying pan
3. Place spinach in the pan with the heated olive oil and sauté until tender.
Leaves will shrink and appear wilted when done.
4. Puree spinach in blender or food processor,
5. Add fresh water until mixture is of the desired consistency.
Add some spices such as garlic cloves or powder, basil or onion powder if baby is able to have these spices.
Baby's Souffle of Spinach
16 oz fresh or frozen spinach (if using frozen, please drain excess liquid prior to using!)
1/3 ricotta or cottage cheese
2 egg yolks
pinch of garlic and basil
Combine all ingredients and spoon into a lightly oiled (we always use olive oil!) baking dish or muffin tray. Bake at 375 F for 15 minutes or until golden and springy to the touch. You may wish to insert a toothpick and then withdraw it to check that the insides are completely cooked. This recipe does freeze well but keep in mind that when thawing, some separation may occur due to the cheese. Warm in a toaster oven or microwave.
Foods Good to Mix With Spinach
Baby Cereal
Carrots
Corn
Green Beans
Leeks
Peas
White Potato
Summer Squash - zucchini, yellow
Lentils
Chicken
Beef
Pork
Visit our Combinations page to see more Homemade Baby Food Combination Ideas
