Pea porridge: why is this recipe your best ally to give your baby vitamins?

Is your baby already or is he about to turn 6 months old and you don’t know what to feed him? Calm down, there is no exact science that indicates which food It is the best to start the complementary feeding stage. There are several trends in eating around the world and, throughout history, babies have grown up eating the same foods that their parents ate in modified versions. The most important thing is to be calm to generate good moments around the table, that way the baby will be willing to try and experience new flavors, textures and experiences. The idea is that you manage to relate mealtime as a happy time to share.

Something fundamental is to advance in terms of textures without fear (from purees to crunchy, and then cut them, even if they have not yet teething), also in the food groups. I propose, for the first weeks, to start with well processed purees to make an introduction, it will be a gentle transition to complementary feeding (from liquid to solid). Remember that this is new learning for them and it may take them a few weeks to learn to eat, each one is different.

Start with fruits, vegetables, grains, and cereals and then add protein. Your digestive system is also recognizing these new foods and it is preferable to go slowly. First everything cooked and, after the first weeks, incorporate raw fruits and vegetables. As a data, I combined traditional porridges with the baby-led weaning (weaning directed by the baby) because it seems to me that it empowers the baby in terms of feeding.

Be careful: keep in mind that health professionals recommend zero salt and added sugar until after the first year, like cow’s milk and its derivatives and; instead of fruit juices, whole, grated or compote fruit, and not honey.

Pea porridge recipe

Start with a single vegetable to educate your baby’s palate and see how it goes. Then combine two vegetables, the idea is not to combine many so that you can recognize the flavors. You can adapt this recipe with the vegetables you have at home.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of pea
• ¼ cup of water or breast milk
• ¼ teaspoon olive oil

preparation:

Put a little water in a pot. When it boils, add the previously washed peas. Cook for approximately 5 to 8 minutes. Strain and blend with water or breast milk. At the end, add the olive oil.

Note: if you want you can double the recipe so that it stays for the night. Divide the recipe in two and refrigerate the evening portion and heat it in a double boiler. At the beginning, the baby will eat only a few tablespoons, that will be enough to be able to establish a routine and learning.

For dessert you can have a fruit compote and in the evening, cereal.

Follow me every Tuesday for more recipes for babies and children.