Open Talk Mom

Vegetarian First Foods for Baby

Posted on 10. Nov, 2009 by Mary Lutz in Mom Talk

You have chosen to raise your baby as a vegetarian. When they are old enough and wanting to ingest something other than milk, you’ll have a great variety of choices for foods that they can eat. Here are some ideas for baby’s first foods.

Every parent is excited about giving their child a taste of more adult food. What will they eat first? What can they eat? Here are just a few guidelines for you before you begin picking out items.

* Babies can use their gums to chew. Don’t be afraid to give them firm foods.

* Remove seeds from fruits so your child won’t swallow them.

* Keep foods small enough for little hands but not so small that they can be easily swallowed whole.

* Introduce one food every few days so baby gets used to it. If they don’t like it, you can switch to something else right away.

* Babies are messy. Resist the urge to clean up their eating space or them until they are finished eating. Otherwise, you’ll be wiping every five minutes.

As a vegetarian mom or dad, you’ll probably be creating most of your foods at home. Store-bought products can sometimes contain meat products, even in the vegetables and rice jars of food. That’s okay. There are many benefits to fresh foods, not the least of which is getting the true taste of the food without added preservatives.

Now, let’s move on to the food ideas. When you and baby are ready, here are some foods that they would love to get their hand on.

1. Fruits – Unless your child is allergic to any fruits, the field is wide open here. Start simple with pieces of strawberry (seeds are small and edible), mango, bananas and blueberries. Because blueberries are small, smashing them up avoids choking hazards.

2. Vegetables – Remember how you used to pick at your vegetables as a child? It’s okay for your baby to do the same when they learn to eat them. Some good choices are smashed peas, cooked green beans and carrots and baked potato pieces.

3. Purees – You can combine different fruits or vegetables into a pureed form for baby to eat from a spoon. If you are giving them potatoes, a little texture is good to give them practice chewing. For a more complete and filling meal, add rice to the vegetables. A little rice pudding can be mixed with small pieces of fruit.

4. Tofu squares – When baby is around seven to nine months old, you can give them firmer foods. Since meat is not on the menu, introduce tofu in its many forms so baby can get used to the taste. Cover with cereal crumbs for easy handling.

Introducing a vegetarian baby to first foods is much like introducing any other baby. There may be more prep work for you in the beginning but most foods can be enjoyed in their natural state for greater nutrition.

photo credit: amoeda

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About the author  Mary Lutz began blogging in 2004 on her personal blog. In June of 2008, she began her own Virtual Assistant Business, and discovered her passion for writing. Besides writing for her own blogs, she also writes for other Work at Home Mom sites. Read more from this author

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Tags: baby, first foods, vegetarian