Health Benefits Of Broccoli For Babies

Broccoli has earned a reputation of superfood. It’s a powerhouse vegetable which is known to contain highest antioxidants amongst all vegetables. Broccoli has gained quite a lot of popularity since people became aware of its health benefits andwealth of nutrients. It has slowly made its place in various salads and recipes for health-conscious people as well as tons of other mainstream recipes too. However, while introducing vegetables to your baby, you may wonder if broccoli is the right choice to go ahead with. Yes, Broccoli is one of the best choices for mothers to fulfil the needs of our growing babies.Broccoli makes a great Baby Finger Food too – steam it, chop it and sprinkle it with cheese.

Can Babies Eat Broccoli?

Usually, broccoli is generally avoided as the first vegetable that a baby is introduced to. The digestive system of a baby takes time in getting used to solids. The right time to add broccoli to your baby’s diet is at the age of 10 months old or more. Broccoli might also cause gas in certain babies, so if your baby shows such signs, it is best to delay it further.

BENEFITS OF BROCCOLI FOR BABIES

* Improves immunity
* Develops eyesight
* Reduces Anaemia
* Treats gastric ulcers
* Rich in anti-oxidants
* Reduces Constipation

The Goodness of Broccoli for Babies

Broccoli is very high in Vitamin C and is a great source of soluble fiber. This makes broccoli wonderful to add to baby food recipes. Soluble fiber is the fiber that helps loosen up the bowels as it changes its form as it passes through the digestive tract. An overabundance of soluble fiber in a diet may produce diarrhea. Insoluble fiber does not change its form or make up and simply helps to add bulk and too much of it may cause constipation.

BROCCOLI: (1 cup – steamed)

VITAMINS:Vitamin A – 2415 iuVitamin C – 101.2 mgNiacin – .86 mg

Folate – 168 mcg

Vitamin E – 2.26 mg

Vitamin K – 220 mg

Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.

MINERALS:PotassiumPhosphorus – 105 mgMagnesium – 33 mg

Calcium – 62 mg

Sodium – 64 mg

Selenium – 5.7 mg

Iron – 5.5 mg

Contains zinc, manganese and others

How to select and store broccoli for homemade baby food
When shopping for fresh broccoli, purchase broccoli with florets that are uniformly coloured. The florets should be a dark green, sage, or purple-green. Be sure to look over the florets as they should not be greyish/moldy looking nor should they be bruised, or have any yellow flowers peeking around.

Always store fresh broccoli in an open plastic bag in your refrigerator crisper/vegetable drawer. Fresh broccoli should store for up to 4 days.
The best way to cook broccoli for homemade baby food

When cooking broccoli you should always steam it or saute it in olive oil. If sauteing it for your baby, please be sure that you thoroughly cook it; if you will be making broccoli finger food. As regards microwaving broccoli, microwaving broccoli causes it to loose nutrients more so than microwaving any other vegetable. We always prefer to use a cooking method other than microwaving.

Broccoli may also be baked in casseroles and other recipes.

Try these Nutritious Broccoli Recipes:

Baby’s Broccoli Puree – Basic

1 bunch of fresh broccoli
Step 1: Wash broccoli under cool water.
Step 2: Chop stems and florets into small pieces; using just the florets will many times yield a smoother puree. Steam until tender.
Step 3: Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
Step 4: Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency

Broccoli Casserole

2 cups minute rice cooked (I prefer to use Brown Rice – if using brown rice, be sure to first cook the rice. Cook for 30 minutes instead of the regular 45 mins.)
2 tablespoons butter (you may use olive oil.)
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
2 pkgs. Frozen broccoli (10 oz. each)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (use 1 cup of 1/2 & 1/2 or 1 cup of yogurt)
1 can cream of celery soup (use a low or no sodium vegetable or chicken broth instead or use a homemade stock. you would need 2 cups or 16 oz.)
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350F degrees
Step 1: Sauté onion, peppers, and celery in butter until tender.
Step 2: Combine rice, broccoli, sautéed vegetables, 1 cup Cheddar cheese, and soups/substitutions. Transfer to a greased casserole dish.
Step 3: Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Step 4: Take off cover, top with remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese, and bake about 5 minutes longer, until top is lightly browned and cheese is melted.