Beans are considered to be a nutritional powerhouse by many as they are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre and protein. The health benefits of beans for your growing baby can be immense. Therefore, you may like to include beans in your baby’s diet when he is ready to make his transition from milk to solids. It may be wise to restrict the portion size served to babies in the beginning. Also, you may want to start with lentils as they are easier to digest and then gradually move on to other varieties of beans like black beans, garbanzo, pinto, etc. You can follow some simple recipes wherein the beans can be pureed or mashed when offering beans to your baby for the first time.
Most doctors recommend initiating the shift from only milk to systematic introduction of solids in a baby’s diet when the baby turns 6 months old. However, it may not be a great idea to choose beans as a baby’s first solid food as his immature digestive system might find it hard to break down beans and he is likely to experience flatulence and indigestion. You may present beans to your baby when his digestive system is better adapted to accept new solid foods, which can be anytime from 8 months to 1 year old. Also, you can refer to your doctor for guidance in case of any lingering doubts.
The nutritional properties vary based on the type of bean. Here, we have taken green beans as a reference.
Nutrient | Amount (100 grams) |
Carbohydrates | 7.13 grams |
Proteins | 1.82 grams |
Total Fat | 0.34 grams |
Dietary Fibre | 3.4 grams |
Niacin | 0.752 grams |
Thiamin | 0.084 milligrams |
Sodium | 6 milligrams |
Iron | 1.04 milligrams |
Source: https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/green_beans.html
The health benefits of beans for babies include:
Some beans, like chickpeas, are rich in protein and fibre. Studies prove that they help reduce appetite and promote a feeling of fullness. This can prevent overfeeding when giving them to your baby.
Kidney beans and chickpeas have high fibre content. This can help in improving the digestive system of your baby.
Beans, like soybean, are rich in vitamin C and build the immune system of your baby. They protect your baby from falling prey to common ailments like cold, cough, or flu. They also assist in controlling free radicals, and thus, immunize your baby’s overall health.
Beans, like kidney beans, are a high source of folate which can help foster the growth of red blood cells in babies, thereby encouraging the normal development and functioning of the vital organs. Babies also require folate for the healthy progression of their brain.
Beans, like black beans, are teeming with antioxidants, like alkaloids, flavonoids, and anthocyanin, which can help destroy the free radicals generated during metabolism in a baby’s body. Neutralising the free radicals is vital as they can harm the body’s cells, and at times, even the DNA.
Beans contain high amounts of dietary fibre which can contribute to regulating a baby’s bowel movements and prevent digestive issues, like constipation and bloating. Healthy bowel movements may help boost a baby’s appetite. Dietary fibre also plays an important role in flushing impurities out of the large intestine and thus, defending the baby’s body against diseases. Kidney beans or rajma is a bean that is rich in fibre.
Beans, like soybean, have high amounts of protein which can help in muscle growth. This becomes even more important for those parents who don’t wish to give their children meat.
The following varieties of beans may be good for babies:
Pinto beans are rich in iron and therefore, can be very advantageous for babies. Pinto beans have a creamy consistency and can be consumed by older babies in their whole form. For younger babies, it is better to mash them before consumption. Pureed pinto beans mixed with some spices are called refried beans. Refried beans with rice can form a wholesome meal for a baby.
Chickpeas or garbanzo beans have a high content of calcium and folic acid which is required by a baby for strengthening the bones, brain build-up and blood formation. Chickpeas are high in zinc, iron, protein, Vitamin K and fibre, which may accelerate the good health of babies.
Kidney beans for babies can be nourishing as they are full of iron, fibre and protein. Also, babies can easily chew them as they are soft. Both the lighter and darker variations are a good option. You can go in for cannellini beans or white kidney beans as well.
Black beans can make for nutritious meals for babies as they possess exceptional amounts of protein, fibre and other key minerals and vitamins like calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium which can benefit a baby’s health.
Mothers often ask how to cook beans for baby. So here are a few wonderful ways to prepare beans for your baby:
Some healthy bean recipes for babies can be:
This recipe is not only easy to make but also very nourishing for your baby.
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Directions
You may require to make this basic puree for several green bean recipes for baby food.
Ingredients
Directions
Your baby is sure to find this colourful meal appealing.
Ingredients
Directions
Certain precautions you may like to observe while feeding beans to a baby can be:
Beans with their well-balanced combination of nutrients can favourably contribute to the ideal growth and development of your baby.