Can Baby Eat Beetroot?
Jun 10th, 2008 by Christine
Jacqui from Noosa, Australia, wrote to ask us if beetroot (or beets, as beetroot is known in the US) is safe for her baby to eat. She also asked us to suggest a beetroot baby food recipe - and here’s our reply, should anyone else be wondering the same thing!
Guidelines vary quite significantly around the world when it comes to the introduction of beetroot!
In the UK, beetroot is often given to babies from 6 months of age - it is also a common first food in India where it is often used in soups.
Guidelines in the US are rather more conservative, with many sources suggesting 8 months of age as an age of introduction. This is due to the fact that beets (as beetroot is known in the US) are higher in natural nitrates than other vegetables.
However, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that “Because vegetables, including green beans, carrots, squash, spinach and beets, can have nitrate levels as high or higher than that of well water, infants should not eat these foods until after age 3 months”.
Three months of age is clearly far earlier than the age recommended for the introduction of ANY solid food (we actually mentioned this issue on a post on our blog back in August last year). At 6 months, your baby’s body is far better equipped to deal with the nitrates that occur naturally in certain foods.
Given the variation in recommendations regarding beetroot, you may prefer to check with your doctor before giving it to your baby.
That being said, we introduced fresh beetroot to our little ones from 6 months of age. It is highly nutritious and the vivid purple colour of typical beetroot makes it a fun and visually appealing food for tots!
We will be including an article about beetroot in July’s issue of our newsletter (click here to find out more about subscribing) and will be including some tasty recipes - but in the meantime, here’s a very simple recipe to get you started!
Baby’s Beetroot Mash
2 small fresh beetroot
1 apple
1 small white potatoPeel the beetroot, remove the stalks and cut into cubes.
Peel and core the apple then dice.
Peel and dice the white potato.
Steam all three ingredients until tender (start the beetroot and potatoes off first, then add the apple).
Mash the ingredients together for a yummy puree!A quick warning - beetroot stains - so make sure you cover your little one’s clothes and the carpet when feeding it to your baby. It can also turn your baby’s pee pink - it’s nothing to worry about, but it’s nice to be prepared in the event that it happens!
Does your baby enjoy beetroot (or beets)? How do you like to prepare beets for your baby? Please do leave your comments below!
My son loves beetroot! He ate them from 12 mths I think, I just give him some when we make them for us.
I make a foil parcel, pop the beets in (chop ends off) with some garlic cloves, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin oil and marjoram, seal it up and cook for 1 hour at 400.
Once they’re done I chop them up and he has it as a finger food.
Be warned, it doesn’t just turn the pee pink!
Mmmm - this sounds delicious, thanks for sharing your idea!