Recently, more and more moms want to know “can babies eat mushrooms?”, “at what age?” and “what is the best way to prepare them?”
The simple answer is yes, babies can eat mushrooms once you have introduced solid foods. Most babies are ready for solid foods between 4 and 6 months but it does vary.
Many health experts agree that six months is usually the best time because the digestive system is more developed and can handle solids and most agree that between 10 and 12 months is a good time to introduce mushrooms.
What’s in a Mushroom?
Believe it or not, those little button mushrooms are loaded with vitamins and other healthy bits. It’s definitely worth introducing them into your baby’s diet when they are ready.
Some mushrooms have more potassium than bananas and they are an excellent source of iron, fiber and selenium.
1. Cancer-Fighting Antioxidants
You might not have known this but mushrooms have antioxidants as high as tomatoes, green beans and carrots. They also have selenium, an essential trace mineral that plays a vital role in liver enzyme function.
With the help of this rare mineral, the body is cleaned of cancer-causing elements.
2. Mushrooms Help Prevent Diabetes
Portobello and shiitake mushrooms are rich in fiber and people who eat high fiber foods have a low risk of diabetes. Babies only need a small amount of fiber in their diet and so a teaspoon of mushrooms will be enough.
3. Mushrooms Contain Vitamin D
As mushrooms have been exposed to light while growing, they are rich in vitamin D, a vitamin not often found in fruits and vegetables. Babies, just like adults, need vitamin D for the absorption of calcium and a better immunity system.
Having the correct intake of vitamin D means healthy growth and development of teeth and bones can take place.
4. Rich in Iron
Mushrooms are a very good source of iron. Iron encourage the formation of new blood cells which in turn supplies oxygen to different parts of the body. A few mushrooms in a meal will increase your little one’s iron levels.
Tips to Buy the Best Mushroom for Your Baby
- Always look for fresh mushrooms at stores.
- You can also go to local farmer’s markets to have the best deal.
- The smell of mushrooms should be mild.
- Don’t buy mushrooms that smell musty or fishy.
- If you shop for button mushrooms, don’t choose those with black gills under the cap. Look for pink or brown gills.
- The mushrooms should be plump, dry and have no cracks.
- Don’t buy mushrooms with browned edges or wrinkles on the cap.
Handle Mushrooms with Care
Mushrooms are a fantastic source of vitamins and have loads of benefits for your little one. However, it is important when feeding them to your baby to make sure they are well cooked, and any toxic components have been removed.
Also, to avoid any possible choking, it’s best to cut the mushrooms well, and always watch your baby when he or she eats.
Remember that mushrooms are fungi, an organism that feeds on organic material, and it’s better to only eat those that have been bought from your local grocer or store. Never feed raw and wild mushrooms as your baby will be more susceptible to food poisoning.
Also, some babies might be allergic to mushrooms, not necessarily from eating them but because of the spores they release. It is the same allergic reaction as pollen and mold.
Ways to Feed Your Baby with Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be a yummy finger food for your child and can be cut into bite-size pieces that are safe to chew. They’re tasty and perfect for your child with a limited amount of teeth. Take a look at a few baby-friendly ways to serve up mushrooms:
– Sauté them with some butter or olive oil, a little bit of salt and serve with the pasta or rice. You can also serve them as a topping on pizza or as a side dish.
– Little meatloaves in muffin tins are filled with veggies, including mushrooms.
– Your baby will love pasta served with creamy mushrooms and spinach.
– Who doesn’t love risotto? Just add rice, peas and mushrooms.
– You can make a mushroom purée and add some onion and potato for a filling meal.
5 Recipes with Mushrooms for Your Baby
Menu:
- Miso Soup with Mushrooms and Tofu
- Cabbage, Bacon and Sautéed Mushrooms
- Rice Congee with Pork and Pine Mushrooms
- Potatoes, Leek, Ham and Morel Mushrooms
- Baby Beef Stew with Cremini Mushrooms
Miso Soup with Mushrooms and Tofu
Suitable for 12+ months
Ingredients:
- 150 grams mushrooms (button mushrooms, pine mushrooms, etc.)
- 10 grams shredded seaweed, soaked in cold water
- 5 cups dashi stock
- 30 mL shiro miso paste
- 300 grams package soft tofu
- 1 small green onion
- 1 teaspoon salt (for adults)
Step 1: Slice the mushrooms and the onion. Cut the tofu into cubes.
Step 2: Add the miso and the dashi stock to a medium saucepan, bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer.
Step 3: Put all the ingredients into the saucepan, simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Enjoy the soup with your baby! With this recipe, you can make 4 servings
- If your baby has soy allergy, don’t include the tofu in this recipe.
- Do you know green onion is a natural teething remedy? Just make sure you wash it well before your baby chews it.
Cabbage, Bacon and Sautéed Mushrooms
Suitable for 12+ months
Ingredients:
- 100 grams cabbage
- 2 slices bacon
- 150 grams sliced mushrooms (button mushroom or chanterelle mushroom)
- 1-2 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt (for adults)
Step 1: Peel, clean and cut the potatoes into cubes. Slice the leeks and finely chop the onion, parsley and mince the garlic cloves.
Step 2: Put the potatoes, leeks, celery, vegetable stock, onion, cabbage and garlic into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes.
Step 3: Let them cool slightly, then use a blender or food processor to purée, add the salt and pepper.
Step 4: Add morel mushrooms and ham, then simmer for another 10 minutes. Garnish with parsley.
Step 5: Enjoy the soup with some sour cream! With this recipe, you can make 5 servings.
- Although cabbage can cause gas for your baby, it’s a superfood with many health benefits!
- In fact, bacon is a no-no for your baby so that you may replace it with cooked ground beef.
Rice Congee with Pork and Pine Mushrooms
Suitable for 12+ months
Ingredients:
- 500 grams ground pork
- 20 grams rice flour
- 70 grams sliced pine mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon five-spice powder
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1.5 L mushroom stock
- 350 grams short grain rice
- 1 tablespoon grape seed oil
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 5 cups chopped fresh greens (baby spinach, kale, etc.)
- some cilantro leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt (for adults)
Step 1: Mix the ground pork, ginger, rice flour and five-spice powder with your hands in a bowl until smooth, then set aside.
Step 2: Put the stock into a saucepan, then add the rice and cook for 35-40 minutes or until it’s very soft and the congee has thickened enough.
Step 3: Let them cool slightly, then use a blender or food processor to purée, add the salt and pepper.
Step 4: Sauté the pork with the grape seed oil, make sure the pork is brown on both sides and break up the meat into small grains.
Step 5: Add the pine mushrooms, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, garlic and the greens. Sauté until the greens wilt.
Step 6: Add the sautéed to the rice congee. Correct seasoning with salt and pepper for adults.
Step 7: Garnish with the cilantro leaves. With this recipe, you can make 5 servings
- The maximum recommended amount of salt for babies from 1-3 years old is 2 grams a day, so be careful when adjusting the seasoning with salt.
- If you want your child to get all the benefits from eating garlic (vitamin C, B1 and B6, iron, etc.), try to use fresh garlic.
Potatoes, Leek, Ham and Morel Mushrooms
Suitable for 12+ months
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sliced morel mushrooms
- 2 leeks
- 5 russet potatoes
- 1 stalk celery
- 80 grams ham
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 cups vegetable stock
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1-2 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 4 grams fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt (for adults)
Step 1: Peel, clean and cut the potatoes into cubes. Slice the leeks and finely chop the onion, parsley and mince the garlic cloves.
Step 2: Put the potatoes, leeks, celery, vegetable stock, onion and garlic into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes.
Step 3: Let them cool slightly, then use a blender or food processor to purée, add the salt and pepper.
Step 4: Add morel mushrooms and ham, then simmer for another 10 minutes. Garnish with parsley.
Step 5: Enjoy the soup with some sour cream! With this recipe, you can make 5 servings.
- Russet potatoes are best for this recipe as they make a light purée.
- You have to clean the leeks carefully as they can contain dirt and sand.
Baby Beef Stew with Cremini Mushrooms
Suitable for 12+ months
Ingredients:
- 900 grams beef chuck
- 1 cup beef stock
- 10 whole cremini mushrooms
- 1 cup red wine
- 15 grams all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1-2 small onion
- 4 small carrots
- 5 white potatoes
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 4 grams fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt (for adults)
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 300°F.
Step 2: Cut the beef into 1.5-inch pieces, then add them to a bowl with the black pepper, flour and salt.
Step 3: Stir for about 2 minutes, then dust off the excess flour.
Step 4: Finely chop the onion, thyme. Peel and cut the potatoes into quarters, chop the carrots into discs, mince the garlic cloves. Remove the stems and cut into half the cremini mushrooms.
Step 5: Put all of the above, the beef, bay leaves, wine, beef stock and vinegar into a casserole dish, then stir for 3 minutes and cover.
Step 6: Place the dish in the oven and cook for 2.5 to 3 hours, stir for every 20 minutes.
Step 7: Remove the bay leaves and let them cool slightly, then finish with some parsley.
Step 8: Enjoy the meal with some bread and salad! With this recipe, you can make 5 servings.
- When red wine is cooked at a high temperature for a long period of time, all the alcohol evaporates and leaves only its delicious flavor behind. This will make the dish absolutely safe for your baby to eat.
- Cremini mushroom is very similar to the white button mushroom in nutrition so that you can use interchangeably in any recipes.
Does Your Baby Enjoy the Taste of Mushrooms?
Mushrooms are available all year round, are well-priced and can be used in a variety of ways. Remember, if your baby doesn’t like his first taste of mushrooms, don’t give up. Change the recipe a little and try them another day.
If want to give some thoughts or share some cooking tips about this article, it would be my pleasure to hear from you.
