When you start your baby on solid foods, it’s normal to have concerns. You have to watch for content and your baby’s reaction to food just in case of an allergic reaction. One food that raises doubt is baked beans, as they are known for higher salt content. However, beans are delicious and nutritious and something that all ages can enjoy. So, we’ll dive deeper into the question and share a recipe safe for baby and pallet pleasing for parents.

Is There an Age Limit for Baked Beans?

At some point, you’ll have to make the change from mushy food to solid food. It’s commonly thought that this best time is around six months, starting with foods like cereal, veggies, proteins. Baked beans fall into the category of solid foods; so, you should not feed them to your baby before then. Stay on the safe side and stick to the traditional rule.

Buying Baked Beans: What to Watch For

Many times, parents find that their babies love baked beans. They have a sweet and tangy flavor and soft mushy texture, perfect for their delicate gums and teeth. While store-bought beans are okay for us as adults, for babies, they might not be. What you need to watch for are the salt and sugar contents. Try to go for one with the lowest concentrations possible. Doctors recommend that babies have no more than 1g of salt per day, so make sure you’re keeping their foods low-salt, low-sugar, and high nutrients.

Baby-Friendly Baked Bean Recipe

Because beans are a super source of protein and fiber, you shouldn’t ditch them altogether. Try out this delicious recipe and see what your baby has to say. To start, you’ll need:

8oz of beans (we like haricot)

Tomatoes (about one pound) skinned

2 large spoons full of tomato puree

2 tbsp of maple syrup

2 tsp of mustard powder

¾ pint of your favorite stock (chicken, beef, or veggie)

As with all beans, you’ll want to start by soaking them overnight and rinsing them well the next day. Then, drain the water, add them to a big pot, cover them with cold water, and bring them to a rolling boil. Afterwards, let them bubble away for at least 30 minutes. Next, preheat your oven to 300⁰ and, after straining the beans, add them to a baking dish. Mix all additional ingredients and stir before adding to the beans. Once evenly coated, pop them in the oven and let them cook for about 2.5 hours.  After baking, you can let them cool and freeze them for small batches throughout the week or serve them fresh if you’ve got company.

Play it Safe

With a baby, it’s always best to play it safe. Find foods that they love and create an at-home healthy version so that they can grow up big and strong. Good health starts in the belly; so fill it with delicious and nutritious foods that the whole family will love.