14 Yummy Beet Recipes For Your Baby

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H a s your b a b y just s w i t c h e d to s o l i d foods? Y o u must b e thrilled t h a t your l i t t l e bundle o f joy w i l l start e x p l o r i n g the w o r l d of f o o d . But o n the o t h e r hand, y o u are w o r r i e d about p r o v i d i n g the r i g h t and a d e q u a t e nutrition t o your d a r l i n g . This i s the t i m e when t h e i r solids n e e d to b e gradually i n c r e a s e d while b r e a s t m i l k or f o r m u l a would b e an a d d i t i o n to t h e solid f o o d s . There a r e a p l e t h o r a of h e a l t h y choices t o make a n d foods t o pick f r o m for y o u r baby.

B e e t r o o t s are o n e of t h e best f o o d choices t o make f o r your l i t t l e one a t this t i m e and M o m J u n c t i o n tells y o u about t h e goodness o f beetroot f o r babies. W e have a l s o included a few s i m p l e beet r e c i p e s for y o u r baby.

H e a l t h Benefits O f Beets

T h e natural s w e e t n e s s of b e e t s is w e l l preferred b y babies a n d they c a n serve a s great f i n g e r foods t o o . Beets p l a y a p r o m i n e n t role i n imparting o v e r a l l health o f your b a b y . Here a r e some b e e t r o o t health b e n e f i t s for b a b i e s you s h o u l d know:

O v e r a l l health: Beets m a y reduce t h e risk o f developing d i s e a s e s like n i g h t blindness, g l o s s i t i s , beriberi, j a u n d i c e , etc., a s they a r e full o f minerals a n d vitamins s u c h as v i t a m i n A, c a l c i u m , folate, m a g n e s i u m , potassium, a n d more ( 1 ) . They a l s o contain l i p i d s and p r o t e i n s .

B o o s t immunity: Antioxidants p r e s e n t in b e e t s boost t h e immune s y s t e m .
Sponsored

H e l p digestion: Fibre-rich b e e t s ease t h e digestion p r o c e s s . It k e e p s constipation a t bay a n d soothes a troubled d i g e s t i v e system.

B r a i n activity: As b e e t r o o t is a good s o u r c e of i r o n , it l e s s e n s the r i s k of a n e m i a and a i d s in b r a i n development d u r i n g early m o n t h s . It p r o m o t e s blood c i r c u l a t i o n in t h e brain a n d increases a c t i v i t y . Betaine, a substance p r e s e n t in b e e t s , tends t o relax t h e baby’s m i n d and e n h a n c e the l i t t l e one’s m o o d .

N a t u r a l cleanser: Beets a c t as n a t u r a l cleansers e s p e c i a l l y for o r g a n s such a s gall b l a d d e r and k i d n e y s .

N u t r i t i o n a l Value O f B e e t s

Nutrient	Unit	V a l u e per 1 0 0 g
Water	g	87.06
Energy	kcal	44
Protein	g	1.68
T o t a l lipid ( f a t )	g	0.18
C a r b o h y d r a t e , by d i f f e r e n c e	g	9.96
F i b e r , total d i e t a r y	g	2
S u g a r s , total	g	7.96
C a l c i u m , Ca	mg	16
I r o n , Fe	mg	0.79
M a g n e s i u m , Mg	mg	23
P h o s p h o r u s , P	mg	38
P o t a s s i u m , K	mg	305
S o d i u m , Na	mg	77
Z i n c , Zn	mg	0.35
V i t a m i n C, t o t a l ascorbic a c i d	mg	3.6
V i t a m i n A, I U	IU	35
V i t a m i n E ( a l p h a – t o c o p h e r o l )	mg	0.04
V i t a m i n D ( D 2 + D 3 )	µg	0
Cholesterol	mg	0

Source: ndb.nal.usda.gov

W h e n To I n t r o d u c e Beetroot F o r Babies?

T h e ideal a n d the r e c o m m e n d e d period t o introduce b e e t s to y o u r baby i s between e i g h t and t e n months, a s they a r e higher i n natural n i t r a t e s than o t h e r vegetables ( 2 ) .

H o w e v e r , guidelines v a r y around t h e world w h e n it c o m e s to t h e introduction o f beetroots. I n the U K , beets a r e often i n c l u d e d in b a b i e s ’ diet f r o m six m o n t h s of a g e .

A d d beets t o your l i t t l e one’s d i e t once s h e has h a d a t a s t e of a few y e l l o w and g r e e n vegetables. S e r v e not m o r e than o n e to t w o teaspoons o f beets t o babies l e s s than a year o l d , as n i t r a t e s cannot e a s i l y be d i g e s t i b l e and c a n cause a condition c a l l e d ‘baby-blue syndrome’ o r methemoglobinemia. Y o u can i n c r e a s e the i n t a k e after t h e baby t u r n s one.

A v o i d beets i f your b a b y has d i a r r h e a , as t h e y have a mildly l a x a t i v e effect.

C o n s u l t your d o c t o r before i n t r o d u c i n g them, i f your b a b y suffers f r o m gastroesophageal r e f l u x disease ( G E R D ) .

S o m e pediatricians s u g g e s t not t o feed f r e s h beet p u r e e to b a b i e s and i n s t e a d go f o r canned b e e t puree b e c a u s e of h i g h nitrate l e v e l s in f r e s h ones. B e e t r o o t a l l e r g y is r a r e . However, c h e c k with t h e doctor b e f o r e you t r y it o n your l i t t l e one.

N o t e : Do n o t be a l a r m e d if y o u r baby’s p o o p is p i n k in c o l o r . It i s normal a f t e r a m e a l containing b e e t s .

H o w To S e l e c t Beets F o r Homemade B a b y Food?

B e e t s are a v a i l a b l e all t h r o u g h the y e a r , while t h e peak s e a s o n is J u n e through O c t o b e r . They d o not f a l l under t h e ‘dirty d o z e n ’ foods c o n t a m i n a t e d with p e s t i c i d e s . But i f desired, y o u can p u r c h a s e organic b e e t s .

P i c k fresh o n e s for h o m e m a d e baby f o o d . Select m e d i u m sized b e e t s over l a r g e beets a s they a r e more t e n d e r and t a s t y . Opt f o r beets t h a t are l e s s than t h r e e to f o u r – i n c h diameter, u n b l e m i s h e d , unbroken, o r unbruised. G o for b e e t s with g r e e n , leafy t o p s (whenever p o s s i b l e ) . Wash t h e beets t h o r o u g h l y before u s e .

H o w To S t o r e Beets?

S t o r e beets i n a r e f r i g e r a t o r after r e m o v i n g the l e a f tops. P u t them i n a f r e e z e r bag o r an a i r t i g h t container a n d place i n the v e g g i e crisper o r far b a c k of t h e fridge. T h e y remain f r e s h for a week, i f stored w e l l .

H o w To C o o k Beets F o r Baby?

T h e best m e t h o d to c o o k beets f o r babies i s by s t e a m i n g or b o i l i n g . Baking i s also a n easy w a y to c o o k beets. S t e a m e d beets a r e easier t o make i n t o puree a n d have V i t a m i n A b e t a carotene r e a d i l y available t o be a b s o r b e d by t h e baby’s b o d y . Cooking c a n significantly r e d u c e the n i t r a t e s in r a w beets.

R i n s e the b e e t s thoroughly, r e m o v e greens, p e e l the s k i n (or p e e l the s k i n after c o o k i n g ) and d i c e it i n t o small p i e c e s . Then s t a r t cooking:

B o i l water i n a m e d i u m saucepan.
A d d beet s l i c e s and c o o k them u n t i l tender ( f o r nearly 1 5 minutes).
D r a i n the b e e t s . To s t o p the c o o k i n g process, r i n s e them u n d e r cold w a t e r .
P u r e e the c o o k e d beets i n a b l e n d e r until s m o o t h . Add w a t e r if r e q u i r e d .

I f you p r e f e r to b a k e the b e e t s , just w r a p the s l i c e s in f o i l and c o o k for a n hour a t 360ºF o r 180ºC.

S e r v e beet p u r e e s mixed w i t h raisins, a p p l e s a u c e , sweet p o t a t o e s , chicken, b r o w n rice, e t c . Typically a r o u n d ten m o n t h s , your b a b y will b e ready f o r finger f o o d s , and t h e n you m a y serve s m a l l cooked p i e c e s of b e e t s .

Y o u may r e f r i g e r a t e beet p u r e e leftovers f o r three d a y s in B P A – f r e e containers. H o w e v e r , it i s advisable t o give f r e s h l y prepared f o o d to b a b i e s .

D i s c a r d the c o o k i n g water f r o m boiling b e e t r o o t as n i t r a t e s may h a v e got i n t o the w a t e r during t h e cooking p r o c e s s .

Q u i c k Beetroot R e c i p e s For B a b i e s

S o m e of t h e quick b e e t r o o t recipes a r e discussed b e l o w . Have f u n while y o u try t h e m out f o r your b a b y .

1 . Purple P o t a t o e s

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Y o u will n e e d :

2 medium s i z e d beets
1 medium s i z e d carrot
2 potatoes
water

H o w to:

W a s h and p e e l the c a r r o t , beets, a n d potatoes. C u t them i n t o slices.
S t e a m or b o i l them i n water u n t i l tender. O n c e cooked, m a k e a s m o o t h puree o u t of i t in a food p r o c e s s o r . Add s a l t for t a s t e .

2 . Roasted B e e t Shapes

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Y o u will n e e d :

5 beets ( m e d i u m sized)
1 tbsp o l i v e oil

H o w to:

C l e a n the b e e t s , peel, a n d slice t h e m .
B r u s h olive o i l on t h e beet s l i c e s and p u t them o n a b a k i n g sheet.
B a k e them a t 350ºC f o r around t e n to 2 0 minutes.
S p r i n k l e a p i n c h of s a l t before s e r v i n g .

3 . Beetroot R i c e Casserole

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Y o u will n e e d :

2 cups b e e t s slices ( c o o k e d )
3 cups b r o w n rice ( c o o k e d )
1 small o n i o n (optional)
1 cup s h r e d d e d chicken ( c o o k e d )
1 / 2 cup c h i c k e n broth
1 / 4 cup w h o l e milk o r yogurt
3 egg y o l k
S p i c e s if n e e d e d

H o w to:

M i x rice, b e e t s , onion, c h i c k e n in a bowl. A d d milk a n d egg y o l k s .
A p p l y olive o i l or c o o k i n g spray i n a t w o – q u a r t casserole d i s h and e v e n l y spread t h e mixture i n a d i s h .
B a k e for o n e hour a t 350º.

4 . Mashed T u r n i p & B e e t s

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Y o u will n e e d :

1 large t u r n i p (diced)
4 beets
s p i c e s (for t a s t e / optional)

H o w to:

P u t the b e e t in a pan c o n t a i n i n g boiling w a t e r and c o v e r .
S t e a m the b e e t s until t e n d e r and p l a c e the b o t h in a bowl a n d mash. A d d spices i f desired.

5 . Beetroot S o u p for B a b i e s

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Y o u will n e e d :

3 beets ( p e e l e d and d i c e d )
1 potato ( d i c e d )
1 small o n i o n (chopped/optional)
1 6 fl o z (2 c u p s ) homemade v e g e t a b l e broth/stock.
2 o z (1/4 c u p ) yogurt

H o w to:

A d d all t h e ingredients i n a s a u c e p a n (except y o g u r t ) . Add w a t e r and b r i n g to a boil.
A l l o w the v e g g i e s to c o o k until t h e y turn t e n d e r and m a k e a p u r e e later.
A d d in f r e s h yogurt a n d serve.

6 . Gourmet B e e t Puree

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Y o u will n e e d :

2 beets ( c o o k e d )
1 / 2 small o n i o n (chopped/ o p t i o n a l )
g r o u n d nutmeg ( p i n c h )
2 tbsp h o m e m a d e applesauce

H o w to:

A d d oil i n a p a n . Saute o n i o n s until t e n d e r .
A d d beets, o n i o n , applesauce, a n d nutmeg i n t o a b l e n d e r to m a k e a p u r e e .

Note: Cooked c a r r o t s can b e used i n s t e a d of o n i o n in y o u r baby f o o d recipes i f you d o not w a n t to a d d them.

7 . Cheesy B e e t Bites

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Y o u will n e e d :

1 bread s l i c e
1 / 4 cup c o o k e d beetroot s l i c e s
1 tsp c h e e s e

H o w to:

T o a s t a b r e a d piece. C o v e r with a layer o f cooked b e e t r o o t slices.
T o p with c h e e s e and g r i l l .

8 . Baby’s B e e t r o o t Mash

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Y o u will n e e d :

2 beetroot ( p e e l e d and c h o p p e d )
1 apple ( p e e l e d and c h o p p e d )
1 potato ( p e e l e d and c h o p p e d )

H o w to:

S t e a m all t h r e e ingredients u n t i l tender ( a d d apple a t the e n d ) .
M a s h the i n g r e d i e n t s to m a k e the b e e t r o o t puree f o r your b a b y .

9 . Carrot B e e t r o o t Puree

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Y o u will n e e d :

1 / 2 cup c a r r o t (chopped)
1 / 2 cup B e e t r o o t (peeled a n d chopped)

H o w to:

C o o k carrot a n d beetroot i n water. A d d salt f o r taste.
B l e n d them t o g e t h e r to m a k e a p u r e e .

1 0 . Beetroot C a r r o t Soup

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Y o u will n e e d :

1 / 2 cup c a r r o t (chopped)
1 / 4 cup B e e t r o o t (peeled a n d chopped)
1 cup w a t e r

H o w to:

A d d carrot, b e e t r o o t , and w a t e r into a pressure c o o k e r . Mix w e l l and c o o k for t w o whistles.
A l l o w it t o cool a n d blend u n t i l smooth. S t r a i n the m i x t u r e with t h e help o f a s t r a i n e r .
T r a n s f e r the m i x t u r e to a pan a n d boil. K e e p stirring i n t e r m i t t e n t l y . Cool a n d serve.

1 1 . Apple B e e t r o o t porridge

Y o u will n e e d :

1 beetroot ( p e e l e d , grated)
1 apple ( g r a t e d )
l i t t l e fresh g i n g e r (grated)
¼ cup o a t s
½ cup m i l k

H o w to:

M i x all t h e ingredients i n a p a n and c o o k for f i v e minutes.
K e e p stirring u n t i l the v e g g i e s turn s o f t . Add m o r e milk t o the b e e t r o o t porridge i f needed.

1 2 . Beetroot H a l w a with D a t e s

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Y o u will n e e d :

1 beetroot ( p e e l e d , chopped)
1 0 dates
2 tsp g h e e
water

H o w to:

C o o k the b e e t r o o t s in a steamer o r pressure c o o k e r with w a t e r .
T a k e away t h e seeds f r o m dates a n d cook i n water u n t i l they t u r n soft. T h i s may t a k e about f i v e minutes.
B l e n d the c o o k e d beets a n d dates t o g e t h e r .
P o u r ghee i n a p a n , heat i t and a d d the m i x t u r e to t h i s .
S a u t e till t h e raw s m e l l vanishes a n d cover t h e pan f o r around 1 0 minutes.
S t i r occasionally. P u t off t h e flame w h e n it t u r n s thick.

Note: Offer n o t more t h a n three s p o o n s for b a b i e s . Add f o r m u l a or b r e a s t milk t o get t h e desired c o n s i s t e n c y .

1 3 . Beetroot R i s o t t o

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Y o u will n e e d :

1 / 2 onion ( c h o p p e d )
1 / 2 garlic c l o v e (finely c h o p p e d )
1 2 5 g risotto r i c e (cooked)
2 t b s p olive o i l
2 5 0 g fresh b e e t r o o t (cooked)
4 2 5 m l vegetable s t o c k
1 t b s p grated p a r m e s a n cheese
2 t b s p cream c h e e s e

H o w to:

P r e h e a t the o v e n at 1 8 0 º C .
H e a t the o l i v e oil i n a p a n , add g a r l i c and o n i o n and c o o k for f i v e minutes.
A d d rice t o the p a n and s t i r well. P o u r half t h e stock a n d let i t cook f o r five m i n u t e s .
P o u r remaining s t o c k , stir, a n d place i n the o v e n . Cook f o r 15 m i n u t e s .
M a k e the b e e t r o o t puree. S t i r in c r e a m , parmesan, a n d beet p u r e e to t h e risotto.
W h i z z once a g a i n to m a k e a p u r e e .

1 4 . Pomegranate a n d Beetroot j u i c e

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Y o u will n e e d :

1 beetroot ( p e e l e d , cut, s t e a m e d )
1 bowl p o m e g r a n a t e seeds

H o w to:

B l e n d steamed b e e t r o o t s and p o m e g r a n a t e seeds i n a b l e n d e r .
S t r a i n through a fine s i e v e before s e r v i n g . .

A r e n ’ t these b e e t r o o t baby f o o d recipes e a s y to p r e p a r e ? Try t h e s e out a n d watch y o u r little o n e develop a rich p a l a t e for t a s t y food. D o share y o u r favorite b e e t recipes f o r other m o t h e r s to t r y out.

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