Nutritious Beet Puree Recipes for Babies

Introducing Beets to Your Baby's Diet

Beets are a sweet, earthy, and vibrantly colored root vegetable that can make a nutritious and delicious addition to your baby's diet. Rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, beets offer many health benefits. When prepared properly, beet purees can be an ideal first food to introduce during the transition to solids.

Nutritional Benefits of Beets for Babies

Beets stand out as a fantastic source of:

• Folate - essential for cell growth and development
• Manganese - supports nutrient absorption and metabolism
• Potassium - necessary for muscle and nerve functioning
• Vitamin C - boosts immunity and iron absorption
• Fiber - aids healthy digestion

The vibrant pigment that gives beets their rich color also provides disease fighting antioxidants. When included as part of a balanced diet, beet purees can give your baby essential nourishment.

Choosing and Preparing Beets for Babies

Look for smooth, firm beets without bruises or blemishes. Baby golden beets offer a more subtle sweetness and earthiness compared to bold red varieties. Always wash beets well and trim off greens, leaving 1-2 inches of stem.

Boiling tenderizes beets and retains more nutrients than roasting. Cook until fork tender, then peel and mash or puree to avoid choking hazard from strings. Combine with breastmilk or formula for optimal consistency.

Step-by-Step Recipe for Simple Beet Puree

This easy homemade beet puree takes just 6 basic ingredients and less than an hour to prepare. Allow baby to discover new flavors and reap nutritional payoff from beets with this wholesome recipe.

Ingredients

• 3 medium beets, washed and trimmed
• 1 cup water
• 14 cup breastmilk or formula
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 18 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

1. Add beets and water to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 25-45 minutes until beets are fork tender.
3. Drain and allow beets to cool enough to handle.
4. Rub off skins from cooked beets using your fingertips.
5. Chop peeled beets into smaller pieces.
6. Puree until completely smooth, adding breastmilk for consistency.
7. Mix in lemon juice and spices to taste.
8. Allow to cool. Serve 1-2 tbsp puree with cereals or on its own.
9. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.

More Flavorful Beet Purees to Try

Once your baby adapts to the flavor of simple beet puree, have fun expanding their palate with more creative combinations. Here are a few nourishing recipe ideas to mix things up.

Sweet Potato Beet Puree

Whip up an eye-catching orange and red swirled puree. Sweet potato balances out earthy beets for a sweater twist baby will love.

Ingredients:

• 1 small cooked sweet potato
• 1 medium cooked beet
• 1 tbsp water or breastmilk
• 14 tsp cinnamon

Beet Apple Puree

Apples add a fruity tartness that complements mellow beets. Mix up the varieties like Fuji, Gala, and Honeycrisp for flavor changes.

Ingredients:

• 1 small apple, cored and chopped
• 1 medium cooked beet
• 2 tbsp water or formula
• 18 tsp nutmeg

Beet and Carrot Puree

Two baby food staples join forces for a nutritious combo that pops with bright orange and fuchsia pigments.

Ingredients:

• 1 small cooked beet
• 1 small cooked carrot
• 3 tbsp breastmilk or water
• 14 tsp ginger

Introducing Beets as Finger Foods

Once baby masters purees and cereals, beets can then transition to snacks for enjoying with their hands. Soft roasted beet wedges are ideal for self-feeding practice. Always monitor carefully, as choking remains a risk with any finger foods.

Baked Beet Fries

Whip up crispy oven baked fries without deep frying using fresh beets. Serve mild wedges along other vegetables and fruits once chewing skills progress.

Ingredients:

• 2 small fresh beets
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 14 tsp garlic powder
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 400F. Scrub beets well and trim ends.
2. Slice beets into 14 inch thick fry shapes. Toss with oil and spices.
3. Arrange in single layer on parchment lined baking sheet.
4. Bake 25 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Cool before serving.

Beet Puffs

Bind freshly grated beets with eggs and cheese then bake into bite-size veggie puffs perfect for dipping in hummus or yogurt.

Ingredients:

• 1 small beet, finely grated
• 2 eggs
• 14 cup breadcrumbs
• 14 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 12 tsp Italian herb seasoning

Follow basic fritter baking methods, scooping tablespoon sized mounds onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake at 375F for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

Storing and Freezing Beet Purees

Prep large batches of homemade beet purees then freeze extras in ice cube trays for quick thawed snacks later. Frozen purees last 46 months and retain nutrients better than canned varieties from the store.

Proper storage also prevents oxidation that can turn beets an unappetizing brown color over time. To maintain vibrancy:

• Refrigerate freshly made purees for 2-3 days max
• Let cool completely before freezing
• Use freezer safe containers or bags
• Squeeze out air before sealing
• Label with date and contents

Thaw what you need overnight in the refrigerator or briefly at room temperature before serving. Do not re-freeze beet purees after initial thawing.

Are There Any Concerns When Feeding Beets to Babies?

When enjoyed as part of varied diet, beets offer only benefits for babies. But there are a couple notes of caution to keep in mind:

Allergy Risk

Like other new foods babies try, allergies are possible with beets and should be introduced one at a time. Watch for any negative reactions when first giving small tastes.

Nitrate Content

Beets naturally contain nitrates that convert to nitrites in the body. High nitrite levels can be dangerous for babies under 3 months. But levels are safe in typical amounts of beet purees given to older babies starting solids.

The beet greens tops and stems also accumulate more nitrates. Avoid including these parts when preparing for babies.

Discover More Tasty Ways to Serve Beets

Vibrant beet purees open up whole new flavor dimensions for your expanding baby. Integrate beets into snacks, cereals, yogurt mixes and more as you continue introducing new wholesome foods.

With so many possibilities, your little foodie will reap vast nutritional rewards as they learn to enjoy garden fresh beets one tasty dish at a time.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.