Lentils have become a staple in our home and have been since we started feeding our girls solids.
They are packed with nutrition for all members of the family. Unlike other legumes, they require no soaking, are simple to cook and very inexpensive to purchase.
Fun fact about lentils: Canada is the largest producer of lentils in the world
They come in a variety of sizes and colours, you can choose whichever you'd like to add to your babies diet. I tend to buy brown, green, red and yellow lentils but they are all amazing and nutrition packed.
It's recommended to serve lentils to babies after 8 months of age as they can cause gas in smaller babies.
Along with many other nutrients and health benefits, lentils are high in fibre which promotes digestion and can help address constipation issues your baby may be having. Lentils are a good source of iron which is so important for your little ones as their iron stores start depleting around 6 months of age. As one of the richest plant-based sources of protein, lentils make an excellent alternative to meat.
They are a great addition to soups, sauces and are a great finger food for your little ones.
Here is a simple recipe that was a favourite of both of my girls when they were starting their food journey
Green lentil, cumin, pear and spinach mash
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of dry green lentils (any variety will work)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cubes of our Pure Organic Baby Food Pear and Spinach puree
Method
1. Rinse lentils in a strainer or colander
2. Combine 1/2 cup of dry green lentils, 1/4 teaspoon of cumin and 1-1/2 cups of water in a pot.
3. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low
4. Simmer the lentils uncovered for 20 to 30 min.
5. Mash cooked lentils with a fork
6. Combine 1/4 cup of cooked lentils with 2 cubes of our Pear and Spinach puree that has been defrosted in the fridge overnight
7. Place left over cooked lentils in a sealed container stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and add to any of our other baby food cubes
