When we speak of ‘Beans’, the first thing that comes to our mind is Mexican Food!
The joy of tucking into those Tacos filled with the likes of ‘Pinto Beans’, is something we all know only too well. But what about other beans, for that matter? ‘Green Beans’, to be specific!
Green Beans are great owing to the fact that they are not only packed with nutrients like their ‘Pinto Beans’ counterparts, but also that they make for one of the best ‘First Foods’ for Baby! In this article we will explore everything related to Green Beans for Baby. This includes a look at How to Cook Green Beans for Baby, and an exploration into the Benefits of Green Beans for Babies.
As children we were all taught to eat our ‘Greens’, right? That word, when combined with the power of ‘Beans’, makes ‘Green Beans’! Join us, as we explore just how wonderfully nutritious Green Beans are, in our first section that explores The Nutritional Value of Green Beans.
Table of Contents:
- Green Beans for Baby: The Nutritional Value of Green Beans
- The Benefits of Green Beans for Babies
- Green Bean Recipes: Learning How to Cook Green Beans for Baby
Green Beans for Baby: The Nutritional Value of Green Beans
Ideally, you want to introduce Baby to Green Beans, when they are 8 months of age.
Note: This is because of the high ‘nitrate’ content in green beans.
That being said, there are several nutrients packed within those Green Beans. The following are just some of the top nutrients that can be found in a 100g serving of Green Beans.
- Carbohydrates – 6.97g
- Fiber – 2.7g
- Iron – 1.03mg
- Fat – 0.22g
- Calcium – 37 mg
- Potassium – 211mg
- Manganese – 0.216mg
- Vitamin C – 12.2mg
- Vitamin B6 – 0.141mg
- Protein – 1.83g
The Benefits of Green Beans for Babies
As we have seen in the earlier section, those Green Beans have several nutrients packed into them. Presenting a look at the ‘benefits’ these nutrients afford out babies, when they eat them.
- Great for Immunity
- Great for kids with Gluten Allergies
- A great source of fiber!
- Good for Cell Metabolism
- They help in Blood Clotting
- A wonderful source of Protein
It’s not only ‘citrus fruits’ that are going to get you that dose of Vitamin C!
Cool Fact: Green Beans are laced with vitamin C, which is responsible for those immunity-boosting properties. Apart from that. It also plays a vital role in the absorption of ‘iron’ from certain foods.
It’s in today’s age,more than ever, that we are finding our children allergic to gluten.
Cool Fact: Children who have a gluten allergy develop a deficiency of Vitamin B, that is found in abundance in the ‘grains’ they find themselves allergic to. The good news is, green beans are rich in all vitamin B types, thus making up well for that deficiency.
Most of us dread getting constipated. Imagine what it’s like for little babies, who are not fully able to express how they feel?
Cool Fact: Luckily, the high fiber content in those green beans, ensures that constipation is kept well at bay.
Everything about the way we function, begins at the ‘cellular’ level.
Another characteristic of green beans is this: it is packed with antioxidants! That only serves to ensure that all those ‘cells’ in Baby’s body work efficiently, and that their metabolism is kept well on track.
Not only do green beans contain vitamin C and vitamin B, they are powered with vitamin K too!
Cool Fact: It is this wonderful vitamin that is responsible for assisting in the process of blood clotting.Of course that’s most beneficial, in the case of our little ones that are highly susceptible to those ‘cuts’.
Move over lean meat, green beans are here!
Cool Fact: Your children don’t have to only eat meat-based foods to get an adequate supply of protein. There is enough research to show they can get their ‘protein fix’ from plant-based foods, too. A prime example of these, of course, are those green beans!
Green Bean Recipes: Learning How to Cook Green Beans for Baby
As much as you might have learned about those Green Beans thus far, it’s not quite enough. You want to have ‘Bean’ There Done That, where it comes to whipping up delicious Green Bean Recipes for your little one.
Presenting some Green Bean Recipes, that will get your little one to devour them with a sense of relish!
Green Bean Recipe for Baby #1: Green Bean Puree
Purees make for the best Baby Weaning Foods!
Ingredients
- Green Beans – fresh or frozen
- Olive Oil
- Basil
Instructions
- After you have washed the beans, transfer them to a steamer basket. Then place that basket in a pot of boiling water on medium flame.
- Cover the pot and steam those beans for around 10 minutes, till they are soft. Note: You want to keep the water that is left behind, for use later.
- Now is the time to transfer the cooked beans to a blender. Add the olive oil and basil, and blend away!
- You want to puree those beans until you get a creamy consistency. Tip: You might want to use that ‘reserve water’, to attain the consistency you desire.
- It’s Meal Time! Serve that Green Bean Puree to Baby.
Green Bean Recipe for Baby #2: Green Bean and Sweet Potato Mash
This one is sure to make your baby move their hands animatedly, to signal for more!
Ingredients
- Green Beans
- 1 Sweet Potato
Instructions
- After you have cut and peeled the sweet potato, dice it into small cubes.
- Wash the beans, and then slice them into halves. Note: In case the ends of those beans are ‘stringy’, cut them off.
- Use a steaming tray to steam both veggies for around 20 minutes.
- Finally, use a blender to blend the mixture. Your Green Bean and Sweet Potato Mash is ready to serve!
‘Eat your Greens’ is a phrase that you have no doubt heard several times over as a child. Take it a step further, and tell your kids, ‘Eat your Green Beans’! That is, after you have introduced them to those Green Beans when they are ‘Babies’, of course!
