At what age can you give your child legumes - peas, beans and lentils?

Many mothers are happy to eat legumes themselves, but are afraid to introduce them into the diet of their son or daughter, believing that these products will harm the child's delicate digestive tract. They doubt whether a one-year-old child can be given peas, lentils and beans, and often do not know what dishes are made from legumes for a children's menu. Let's dispel fears and clarify when it is permissible to introduce soy, peas and other products from this group into the diet of children.

Benefit

Contains a large amount of protein and fiber, thanks to which they combine the advantages of meat and vegetable dishes. Soy is considered the most valuable legume in terms of protein content. It is recommended when it is impossible to eat meat or milk, for example, with lactase deficiency.
They contain a lot of vitamins. In particular, soy contains a lot of beta-carotene, vitamin D, choline, biotin, folic acid, vitamin E and B vitamins. Beans and green peas contain a lot of vitamins C, PP, B group, vitamin K, carotene.
They are a source of mineral compounds. The child will receive copper, zinc, iodine, calcium, magnesium, iron and other minerals from beans. Peas are a valuable source of selenium, magnesium, calcium and iron salts, phosphorus, iodine and potassium.
The use of such products contributes to removing radionuclides, heavy metals and other harmful substances from the human body.
They are actively involved in the work of the digestive system. Their use increases the production of gastric juice and facilitates bowel movements.
In addition to the B vitamins, lentils contain healthy omega fats, magnesium and iron.
Lentils are called an environmentally friendly product, since it does not accumulate harmful compounds and can be safely used by children.
Beans are celebrated antimicrobial, sugar-reducing and diuretic action.
Eating green peas helps avoid anemia.
Peas, soybeans, beans and other legumes are considered hypoallergenic products.

Minuses

Too early introduction of such products into the children's diet or their excess cause increased gas formation in the intestines, as well as constipation. Ripe legumes are indeed quite difficult to digest, so they are soaked before boiling and offered to children in small quantities. If you follow these recommendations, all the disadvantages can be avoided.

At what age can you give?

Green peas and green beans can be added to infants' complementary foods along with other vegetable dishes, including multi-ingredient vegetable purees and pureed soups. This can be done from 7-8 months of age. Also, the child can be offered ready-made canned purees, allowed for his age. At the same time, it is recommended to include legumes in the children's menu no more than 2 times a week.

It is not advised to cook dishes from mature legumes for a child until 2 years of age, but even at the age of two, such crops are ground and offered only as part of soups and other multicomponent dishes.

Children can be given separate dishes made from dry peas, soybeans and beans from the age of 3 in an amount of no more than 100 grams. As for canned foods, they can also be offered to children who are 3 years old.

Introduction to the diet

Complementary foods should start with green fruits (young), including them in small quantities in recipes for vegetable soups or mashed potatoes. Let the child gradually get used to new tastes, then his digestive tract will better cope with the digestion of this food.

Over time, you can treat the crumbs to mashed green peas, and after a few weeks - mashed young beans (green beans). For the first test, it is enough to give the baby a teaspoon of such mashed potatoes, and with a normal reaction, gradually increase the volume to 30-50 grams.

Cooking methods

To boil green legumes for a child, they should be rinsed and soaked briefly (for 5-10 minutes). To boil, pour a large amount of water over the product, bring to a boil and leave it uncovered. You can add salt to the dish at the end of cooking.
If you are preparing ripe legumes for your baby, soak them in cool water for 3 or 4 hours after thoroughly picking and rinsing. Then they are also boiled with a strong boil in a large volume of water, without closing the lid, and salt is added to taste at the end of boiling. Then mashed potatoes are made from them.
In the menu of a child over 2 years old, there can be not only pea porridge and mashed beans, but also such dishes from legumes as meatballs, casseroles, salads, stews and others.
It is better to give such products along with vegetable dishes, since the combination of beans, peas and other legumes with animal protein impairs their digestion.

Tips for choosing

When choosing beans and peas, buy grains without damage, of the same size and color. The seeds should be large and shiny. When choosing lentils, also choose grains with the same size, which will have an even color.