The arrival of spring means many things: warmer weather, flowers blooming, Easter, and seasonal produce like carrots! This crunchy, sweet powerfood is packed with a ton of healthy nutrients, essential for babies and adults alike.
Carrots can be introduced to babies between six and eight months of age.* Their mild, slightly sweet flavour makes them an ideal, easily digested first food to give baby. They are packed with powerful nutrients, such as beta-carotene, which helps prevent cell damage. Our body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which promotes healthy skin and good eye health & vision, and gives a boost to our immune system. Once your child is old enough, they can benefit from eating raw carrots since the crunchiness acts a toothbrush and scrapes off plaque and food particles.
There are many ways to prepare carrots for baby besides just simply boiling or steaming them. Try roasting or sauteing carrots, which brings out their sweetness and creamy texture, or try freshly grating them and add oatmeal or baked goods. With their mild flavour, carrots lend well to a variety of spice and herb accompaniments, such as ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, and cumin.
Here are my five favorite carrot recipes for baby that moms and dads will love, too.
*As always, discuss with your pediatrician about when to introduce carrots (and/or other ingredients used in these recipes) to your baby.
Maple-Roasted Carrots & Parsnips Recipe
Carrot Cake Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Ginger-Glazed Carrots & Caramelized Onions Recipe
Curried Cauliflower Carrot Fritters Recipe
More Vegetable Recipes for Babies:
