11 Nutritious And Easy-To-Make Recipes

I m a g e : Shutterstock

C a r r o t s are c o n s i d e r e d healthy f o r nearly e v e r y organ i n the b o d y . Grownups s w o o n over t h e incredible b e n e f i t s of c a r r o t , and i t is o n e of t h e best f o o d s for a baby t o o !

I f you a r e in t w o minds a b o u t giving c a r r o t s to y o u r weaning b a b y , then M o m J u n c t i o n will h e l p you m a k e the r i g h t decision. W e acquaint y o u with i t s health b e n e f i t s and n u t r i t i o n a l values a n d give e a s y ways t o process c a r r o t s for h e a l t h y baby f o o d .

W h e n Can B a b i e s Eat C a r r o t s ?

C a r r o t s can b e fed t o infants f r o m six m o n t h s (1). T h e root v e g e t a b l e is r i c h in n i t r a t e s , which i s why A m e r i c a n Academy o f Pediatrics a d v i s e s against g i v i n g carrots t o babies l e s s than t h r e e months o l d (2). W h e n feeding c a r r o t s to b a b y , stick t o cooked c a r r o t s because r a w carrots h a v e a h i g h e r chance o f triggering a l l e r g i e s . Chop t h e carrots f i n e l y to m i n i m i z e choking r i s k (3). O n c e the l i t t l e one i s 12 m o n t h s old y o u can g i v e them s l i c e d raw c a r r o t s as f i n g e r food.

A s carrots a r e a t r e a s u r e trove o f nutrients, t h e y benefit t h e baby i n many w a y s .

H e a l t h Benefits O f Carrots F o r Babies

C a r r o t s are r i c h in v i t a m i n s and s e v e r a l vital n u t r i e n t s . Here’s h o w it s u p p o r t s various b o d y functions.

G o o d f o r the e y e s : T h e beta-carotene p r e s e n t in i t is a precursor t o vitamin A that i s essential f o r healthy r e t i n a . And, h e a l t h y retinal c e l l s lead t o better v i s i o n .

L e a d s to a healthy c i r c u l a t o r y system: Micronutrients s u c h as f l a v o n o i d s keep t h e heart a n d blood v e s s e l s healthy. T h e y are a l s o good f o r kidneys t h a t purify b l o o d to f i l t e r out t o x i n s .

Boosts immunity: A h e a l t h y immune s y s t e m is e s s e n t i a l for a developing b a b y . Research s h o w s that r e g u l a r consumption o f carrots i n c r e a s e s the n u m b e r of l y m p h o c y t e s and p l a t e l e t s – b l o o d cells t h a t aid i n regulating i m m u n i t y (4).

S u p p o r t s the f u n c t i o n i n g of t h e liver: Carrot s h i e l d s the l i v e r from t h e harmful e f f e c t s of i n g e s t e d toxic c h e m i c a l s . Regular c o n s u m p t i o n of c a r r o t s keeps l i v e r cells h e a l t h y .

Benefits the g e n e r a l health o f body c e l l s : The r o o t vegetable p r e v e n t s the u n c o n t r o l l e d cell g r o w t h and a s s i s t s the e x i s t i n g cells i n healing w o u n d s .

B e l o w , is t h e total n u t r i t i o n a l content i n 100g o f carrot.

N u t r i t i o n a l Value P e r 100g O f Carrot

Nutrient	U n i t Value P e r 100g
Energy	41kcal
Carbohydrates	9.58g
N a t u r a l sugars	4.74g
Fiber	2.8g
Protein	0.93g
Fat	0.24g
Calcium	33mg
Iron	0.3mg
Magnesium	12mg
Phosphorus	35mg
Potassium	320mg
Sodium	69mg
Manganese	0.143mg
Copper	0.045mg
Zinc	0.24mg
Selenium	0.1µg
Fluoride	3.2µg
V i t a m i n C	5.9mg
V i t a m i n B1 ( T h i a m i n )	0.066mg
V i t a m i n B2 ( R i b o f l a v i n )	0.058mg
V i t a m i n B3 ( N i a c i n )	0.983mg
V i t a m i n B5 ( P a n t o t h e n i c acid)	0.273mg
V i t a m i n B6	0.138mg
V i t a m i n B9 ( F o l a t e )	19µg
Choline	8.8mg
V i t a m i n A	835µg
V i t a m i n E	0.66mg
V i t a m i n K	13.2µg

S o u r c e : United S t a t e s Department o f Agriculture ( 5 )

H o w To S e l e c t And S t o r e Carrots?

Select: Choose c a r r o t s that h a v e minimal b l e m i s h e s and c o n s i s t e n t color. I f you o b s e r v e any s t e m – l i k e growth o n the t o p , then t h e carrot w a s harvested a long t i m e ago, h e n c e look f o r fresh o n e s . Do n o t buy t h o s e that h a v e excessive h a i r – l i k e roots, s c a l y surface g r o w t h , or p u n c t u r e marks a s they a r e likely t o have b e e n caused b y pests.

Storage: After b u y i n g the c a r r o t s , peel a thin l a y e r and s l i c e away t h e hard, u p p e r disc. S o a k the c a r r o t s in w a t e r for f i v e minutes t o remove a n y soil p a r t i c l e s , easily. S o a k for t h r e e more m i n u t e s if t h e first s o a k yields m u d d y water. T h e n wash t h e vegetables u n d e r running w a t e r by c l e a n i n g each c a r r o t individually. D r y them w i t h a k i t c h e n towel a n d put i n an a i r t i g h t ziplock p o u c h for r e f r i g e r a t i o n . You c a n also c h o p the c a r r o t into s m a l l cubes, p l a c e them i n a b o w l , and c l o s e the b o w l with c l i n g film b e f o r e storing i t in t h e refrigerator.

B a b y Carrots O r Regular C a r r o t s ?

B a b y carrots a r e harvested b e f o r e they m a t u r e , which l e a v e s them s m a l l or “ b a b y ” in s i z e (6). B i o l o g i c a l l y , there i s no d i f f e r e n c e between t h e two v a r i e t i e s and t h e y have t h e same n u t r i t i o n a l values. B u t , baby c a r r o t s are s w e e t e r and t e n d e r than f u l l – g r o w n varieties.

T h e r e is a n alternative v a r i e t y , called b a b y – c u t carrots, w h i c h are f u l l – g r o w n carrots c u t longitudinally i n t o long s l i c e s . They a r e cut i n t o smaller p i e c e s for e a s y cleaning a n d cooking a n d sold a s frozen v e g e t a b l e .

B a b y carrots w e r e found t o have c h l o r i n e in t h e m (7). T h e y also h a d low n u t r i t i o n a l value d u e to p o o r slicing m e t h o d s of m a n u f a c t u r e r s , who c h o p away m o s t of t h e nutrient-rich o u t e r layers.

I f you a r e buying c a r r o t s for b a b i e s , then b u y regular, u n p r o c e s s e d , full-grown c a r r o t s that c a n be c l e a n e d and c u t at h o m e .

H o w To C o o k Carrots F o r Baby F o o d ?

T h e r e are f o u r ways t o process t h e vegetable f o r baby f o o d :

1 . Steam:

S t e a m i n g is t h e best w a y to c o o k as i t softens t h e carrot a n d retains a l l the n u t r i e n t s . Here i s how y o u steam c a r r o t s :

C l e a n the c a r r o t s and d i c e them o r cut t h e m into l o n g thin s t r i p s .

T r a n s f e r the c a r r o t s to a steamer b a s k e t and p l a c e the b a s k e t in a deep p a n with a n inch o f water.

S t e a m the c a r r o t s at a medium f l a m e for t e n minutes o r until t h e carrots a r e soft.

Y o u can a l s o steam c a r r o t s in a pan w i t h shallow w a t e r just e n o u g h to s u b m e r g e it. S t e a m at l o w flame f o r ten m i n u t e s or m o r e .

2 . Boil:

A l l you n e e d is a cooking p o t or a pressure c o o k e r . Do n o t throw t h e water a w a y after b o i l i n g the c a r r o t s as t h e water i s nutrient-rich. I n s t e a d use i t immediately t o make c a r r o t puree f o r the b a b y or s o m e t h i n g else. H e r e is h o w you b o i l carrots:

C h o p carrots t o the d e s i r e d size a n d put i n a c o o k i n g pot w i t h water.

B o i l the c a r r o t s with a slightly c l o s e d lid o n a m e d i u m flame f o r 20 m i n u t e s or t i l l the c a r r o t s are c o m p l e t e l y soft.

Y o u can a l s o use a pressure c o o k e r and c o o k for t h r e e steam w h i s t l e s .

S i e v e the c a r r o t and u s e the n u t r i e n t – r i c h stock f o r other c o o k i n g purposes. B o i l e d carrots c a n be m a s h e d and f e d to t h e baby d i r e c t l y or c a n be u s e d for r e c i p e s with o t h e r fruits a n d vegetables.

3 . Bake:

B a k i n g is i d e a l for t h i n and l o n g slices o r disc s h a p e s , and d o u b l e up a s baby’s f i n g e r food. Y o u can a l s o use t h e m to g a r n i s h the p u r e e . Following a r e the s t e p s to b a k e carrots:

P l a c e the c a r r o t s on a baking t r a y greased w i t h a b i t of v e g e t a b l e oil. I f you w a n t to a v o i d oil, t h e n use a glass c a s s e r o l e dish w h e r e the v e g e t a b l e does n o t stick t o the d i s h .

P r e h e a t the o v e n to 3 5 0 º F (177ºC). P l a c e the d i s h into t h e oven a n d bake f o r 40 m i n u t e s or u n t i l the c a r r o t s turn d a r k orange.

R e m o v e the b a k e d carrots f r o m the t r a y and l e t them c o o l before y o u serve.

4 . Roast:

Y o u can r o a s t carrots s i n c e it r e q u i r e s a m i n i m a l amount o f ingredients. R o a s t i n g can h e l p retain t h e crunchiness, w h i c h the o l d e r infants m i g h t like. H e r e is h o w you r o a s t carrots:

C u t the c a r r o t s longitudinally o r in l a r g e discs.

P l a c e them i n a n o n – s t i c k frying p a n and c o v e r the l i d leaving a slight t i l t for t h e steam t o escape.

C o o k the c a r r o t s on a low f l a m e for 3 0 minutes a n d cool a n d serve t o the b a b y .

C a r r o t s can b e processed a n y of t h e s e ways t o be m a d e into s e v e r a l delicious h o m e m a d e carrot b a b y food p r e p a r a t i o n s .

Healthy Carrot R e c i p e s For B a b i e s

T h e following r e c i p e s are e a s y to p r e p a r e and a r e healthy f o r the g r o w i n g baby.

1 . Carrot p u r e e :

I m a g e : Shutterstock

T h e classic c a r r o t baby f o o d recipe i s time a n d mom-tested f o r generations!

Y o u will n e e d :

3 – 4 cups o f finely c h o p p e d carrots
6 – 7 cups o f water

H o w to:

B o i l the c a r r o t s in a cooking p o t or a pressure c o o k e r until t h e y are c o m p l e t e l y tender.
T r a n s f e r the w a t e r and c a r r o t into a blender, a n d blend t o the d e s i r e d consistency. T h e puree i s ready.
T h i s recipe i s ideal f o r six-month-old i n f a n t s who h a v e just s w i t c h e d to s o l i d food. F o r younger b a b i e s , you c a n add e x t r a water a n d blend t h e carrots f o r longer t o get a thinner c o n s i s t e n c y .

2 . Carrot a n d potato p u r e e :

I m a g e : Shutterstock

P o t a t o e s are r i c h in c a r b o h y d r a t e s and m a k e an e x c e l l e n t accompaniment w i t h carrots.

Y o u will n e e d :

3 cups f i n e l y chopped p o t a t o e s
3 cups f i n e l y chopped c a r r o t s
5 – 6 cups o f water

H o w to:

B o i l the c a r r o t s and p o t a t o e s together t i l l they a r e soft a n d tender.
T r a n s f e r them t o a b l e n d e r and b l e n d for t h e required c o n s i s t e n c y .

3 . Sweet p o t a t o and c a r r o t puree:

I m a g e : Shutterstock

Y o u can c o m b i n e sweet p o t a t o e s with c a r r o t s to m a k e a s w e e t and h e a l t h y delight f o r the b a b y .

Y o u will n e e d :

3 – 4 cups o f chopped s w e e t potatoes
3 – 4 cups o f chopped c a r r o t s
4 – 5 cups o f water

H o w to:

B o i l or s t e a m the s w e e t potatoes a n d carrots s e p a r a t e l y until t h e y are t e n d e r .
T r a n s f e r the c a r r o t s and s w e e t potatoes i n the b l e n d e r and b l e n d to t h e desired c o n s i s t e n c y . If y o u r baby h a s a s w e e t tooth, t h e n you c a n add m o r e sweet p o t a t o e s than c a r r o t s .

4 . Carrot r i c e :

I m a g e : Shutterstock

T h i s is a nutritious b a b y food, f o r lunch o r dinner.

Y o u will n e e d :

3 – 4 cups o f diced c a r r o t s
6 – 7 cups o f rice
9 – 1 0 cups o f water

H o w to:

C o o k rice w i t h diced c a r r o t s in a pot f o r 20-25 m i n u t e s .
Y o u can a l s o cook t h e m in a pressure c o o k e r .
C o o k till r i c e and c a r r o t s are s o f t , which m a k e s it e a s y for t h e baby t o eat. M i x the c a r r o t and r i c e well b e f o r e serving. Y o u could a d d more w a t e r if t h e mixture i s thick.

5 . Carrot a n d parsnip p u r e e :

I m a g e : Shutterstock

P a r s n i p is r o o t vegetable l i k e carrot, a n d the t w o get a l o n g quite w e l l when c o o k e d for b a b y food.

Y o u will n e e d :

3 cups o f diced p a r s n i p
3 cups o f diced c a r r o t s
4 – 5 cups o f water

H o w to:

B o i l or s t e a m parsnip a n d carrots t o g e t h e r since t h e y take t h e same t i m e to c o o k .
T r a n s f e r the c o o k e d vegetables t o a b l e n d e r and b l e n d them u n t i l desired c o n s i s t e n c y . In c a s e you s t e a m e d the v e g e t a b l e s then y o u can a d d warm w a t e r separately w h e n blending.

6 . Peas a n d carrot p u r e e :

I m a g e : Shutterstock

P e a s taste d e l i c i o u s with c a r r o t s , and y o u r baby i s going t o love t h i s combination.

Y o u will n e e d :

2 cups p e a s
2 cups d i c e d carrots
4 – 5 cups o f water

H o w to:

B o i l the p e a s while y o u have t h e choice t o steam o r boil t h e carrots. F o r faster c o o k i n g , you c a n boil c a r r o t s and p e a s together.
T r a n s f e r the c o o k e d vegetables t o a b l e n d e r and p u r e e them.

7 . Carrot a n d chicken p u r e e :

I m a g e : Shutterstock

T h i s is a delicious m i x of m e a t and v e g e t a b l e s to m a k e a h e a l t h y baby f o o d recipe.

Y o u will n e e d :

2 cups c h o p p e d boneless c h i c k e n
2 cups d i c e d carrots
6 – 7 cups o f water

H o w to:

B o i l the c h i c k e n and c a r r o t s separately u n t i l tender. R e t a i n the c h i c k e n stock s i n c e it c a n be u s e d in t h e blending p r o c e s s .
T r a n s f e r chicken, c a r r o t s , and s t o c k into a blender a n d blend t h e m . Add w a r m water t o thin t h e consistency, i f needed.
Y o u can b l e n d into a thinner c o n s i s t e n c y for y o u n g e r babies.

8 . Cooked c a r r o t sticks:

I m a g e : Shutterstock

I f the b a b y is a full-fledged f i n g e r food m u n c h e r , then h e will l o v e eating c o o k e d carrot s t i c k s as a snack.

Y o u will n e e d :

H o w to:

C u t the c a r r o t lengthwise w i t h each c a r r o t cut i n t o three t o four s t i c k s .
C a r r o t sticks c a n be c o o k e d in m u l t i p l e ways. S t e a m , bake, o r keep t h e m crunchy f o r older i n f a n t s .

9 . Apple, c a r r o t , and o n i o n soup:

I m a g e : Shutterstock

A p p l e s add a punch o f sweetness w h i l e onions g i v e a n i c e flavor t o the c a r r o t soup.

Y o u will n e e d :

4 – 5 cups d i c e d apples ( w i t h o u t peels)
3 cups d i c e d carrots
1 – 2 cups f i n e l y chopped o n i o n s
9 – 1 0 cups o f water

H o w to:

B o i l the a p p l e s separately a n d the o n i o n s and c a r r o t s together.
B r i n g all t h e ingredients t o g e t h e r and b l e n d . You c o u l d use s o m e extra w a r m water t o blend b e t t e r . Since i t is s o u p , blend f o r longer t o get a thinner c o n s i s t e n c y . You c a n make a carrot a n d apple p u r e e the s a m e way b y using l e s s water a n d removing o n i o n s from t h e ingredients.

1 0 . Carrot m i l k s h a k e :

I m a g e : Shutterstock

T h i s is a delicious d e s s e r t for b a b i e s older t h a n 12 m o n t h s , when t h e y begin d r i n k i n g cow m i l k .

Y o u will n e e d :

4 cups d i c e d carrots
6 – 7 cups o f cow’s m i l k
1 tablespoon s u g a r

H o w to:

B o i l cow m i l k , sugar, a n d diced c a r r o t s for 1 5 – 2 0 minutes o n a l o w flame.
C o o l the m i x t u r e and b l e n d for t h e required c o n s i s t e n c y and s e r v e .

1 1 . Carrot j u i c e :

I m a g e : Shutterstock

J u i c e is m a d e from r a w vegetables, a n d raw c a r r o t s are n o t suitable f o r young i n f a n t s . Therefore, w a i t till t h e baby i s 12 m o n t h s before y o u introduce c a r r o t juice.

Y o u will n e e d :

2 – 3 carrots
1 cup w a t e r (optional)

H o w to:

W a s h the c a r r o t s thoroughly a n d chop t h e m into d i s c s .
E x t r a c t the j u i c e of t h e fruit a n d vegetable a n d depending o n your b a b y ’ s preference y o u can a d d a c u p of w a t e r to t h e extracted j u i c e to t h i n its c o n s i s t e n c y .

T h e s e recipes a r e easy-to-cook a n d straightforward. Y o u can t r y other c a r r o t baby f o o d variations s i n c e carrots g o well w i t h several t y p e s of f o o d .

C a r r o t Baby F o o d Combinations

Y o u can c o m b i n e the f o l l o w i n g foods w i t h carrots:

Vegetables: Combine c a r r o t s with a n y vegetable o f your c h o i c e ! Sky’s t h e limit!

G r a i n s and l e n t i l s : You c a n cook t h e root v e g e t a b l e with g r a i n s such a s rice, w h e a t , and l e n t i l s . Carrots a l s o go w e l l with a l l types o f lentils.

Meat: Make d e l i c i o u s meat p u r e e s by a d d i n g carrot t o it.

Fruits: There a r e not m a n y fruits t h a t can b e combined w i t h carrots, a n d the b e s t combination i s apples a n d peaches.

B a b i e s have v a r i e d tastes, s o feel f r e e to e x p e r i m e n t with d i f f e r e n t carrot b a b y foods. C a r r o t s make a n excellent a d d i t i o n to a n infant’s h e a l t h y balanced d i e t . Regular i n t a k e of t h e vegetable n o t only s u p p o r t s vision d e v e l o p m e n t but a l s o keeps t h e baby’s i m m u n e system a t its b e s t .

H a v e you t r i e d any c a r r o t baby f o o d s ? Tell u s more a b o u t those r e c i p e s in t h e comments s e c t i o n below.

R e c o m m e n d e d Articles:

IncnutIncnutIncnut

Search This Blog

Hi Baby Name