Edamame baby food what age

Edamame for Babies - First Foods for Baby

When can babies eat edamame?

Edamame may be introduced as soon as your baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Edamame beans are packed with nutrition, but take care in introducing them, as they are a choking hazard and common allergen.

Background and origins of edamame

Edamame is the Japanese word for young soybeans (also called soya beans and green vegetable soybeans) that are picked from their fuzzy pods when the legumes are tender and green. The United States is the global leader in the production of soybeans, which are native to Asia, where they have been cultivated as a staple food for centuries.¹ Soybeans are nutritious and incredibly versatile. When left to mature on the stalk, soybeans become dry and hard—desirable qualities for grinding the legumes into animal feed and making food products like soy milk, miso, plant-based protein, soy sauce, tempeh, tofu, and vegetable oil. In contrast, edamame beans are plump and soft when harvested, which means they require very little preparation to make a healthy meal for you and your little ones.

Frozen edamame beans are delicious, quick to prepare, and easier to store for longer periods. Check out nutritional information and serving suggestions!

Is edamame healthy for babies?

Yes! Edamame beans are a nutrient powerhouse. The tender beans offer plenty of protein and essential amino acids to power cell and tissue growth in your baby’s growing body. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids (for healthy brain development and cell structure) and loads of folate and other B-vitamins, vitamin K, copper, iron, and zinc—important nutrients that your baby needs to thrive.

When shopping for edamame, buy organic if you can. More than 90% of all soybean seeds planted in the United States have been genetically modified to withstand pesticides.² Studies show that genetically modified foods and pesticides appear to contribute to impaired liver and kidney function in animal testing.³

Lastly, take care in restaurants: edamame beans are often boiled in salty water and topped with more salt to enhance the flavor. If your child is younger than 12 months of age, pass on the restaurant edamame or offer just a tiny amount. Early and excessive exposure to sodium can prime your baby’s palate for salty foods, increase the risk of obesity, and put your child at greater risk of developing hypertension later in life.⁴

Is edamame a common choking hazard for babies?

Yes. Edamame is round and firm, two qualities that can greatly increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, halve each bean by pressing them between your thumb and finger or by pressing with the back of a fork. Alternatively, blend them into a smooth paste, picking out any skins as you go.

For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.

Is edamame a common allergen?

Yes. Edamame are soybeans, and soy is a common allergen. The good news: less than 1 percent of children are allergic to soy.⁵ More good news: close to 50 percent of children outgrow their soy allergy by the age of six.⁶

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity of edamame on its own for the first couple of servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

How do you prepare edamame for babies with baby-led weaning?

Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience. Your child is an individual and may have needs or considerations beyond generally accepted practices. In determining the recommendations for size and shape of foods, we use the best available scientific information regarding gross, fine, and oral motor development to minimize choking risk. The preparation suggestions we offer are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for child-specific, one-on-one advice from your pediatric medical or health professional or provider. It is impossible to fully eliminate all risk of a baby or child choking on any liquid, puree, or food. We advise you to follow all safety protocols we suggest to create a safe eating environment and to make educated choices for your child regarding their specific needs. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen here.

6 to 8 months old: Boil or steam edamame, remove the beans from the pods, and blend in a food processor until smooth to make a hummus-like spread. Explore mixing in heart-healthy oils such as avocado oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil. Serve edamame spread on its own on a pre-loaded spoon or spread on a thin rice cake. You can also try blending cooked edamame with a little breast milk or formula to make a nutritious dip!

9 to 18 months old: Time for finger food! At this stage, babies develop their pincer grasp (where the thumb and pointer finger meet) enabling them to pick up smaller pieces of food. As such this is a great age to serve boiled or steamed edamame beans as a finger food. To reduce the risk of choking, remove the beans from the pod, flatten with the back of the fork to split them into half and remove the thin outer skin, and serve on its own. Many babies will enjoy picking up the small pieces, one by one!

18 to 24 months old: At this stage, if your toddler is chewing well and pacing themselves when they eat (not shoveling or stuffing food), you can try serving whole edamame beans (removed from the fibrous pod) without halving the beans or removing the papery skin on each bean. Make sure to set up a safe eating environment and that you remain within an arm’s reach of your child during mealtime. If you’re worried, you can also continue to halve each bean to decrease the risk of choking or blend the beans into a spread.

24 months and older: Once your child understands instructions (usually around the 2^nd birthday), you can offer edamame in the pod and teach how to scrape out the beans with your teeth. If you are not ready for this yet, try teaching your toddler how to remove the beans from the fibrous pod independently.

A thin rice cake with an edamame spread and boiled edamame beans split in half.Halved edamame beans

For more information on how to cut food for babies, visit our page on Food Sizes & Shapes.

Kids get hangry, too. Serve a variety of foods that range in size—some that are easy to pick up, others that are more challenging, like whole edamame. This way, there is less frustration when all your child wants to do is eat to satisfy hunger!

Recipe: Edamame Two Ways

Yield: 1 cup

Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup frozen shelled edamame
¼ cup cooked cannellini beans
1 tablespoon avocado oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil
½ teaspoon minced fresh ginger (optional)
1 teaspoon lime juice (optional)

Directions

Place the edamame in a colander. Rinse under warm water to defrost the beans. Set aside.
Grate small knob of ginger on a microplane and measure out ½ teaspoon.
Add the oil to a medium skillet set on medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the edamame and ginger. Cook until the beans brighten in color, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool. If you like, sprinkle the lime juice on top to add flavor.
Set aside the portion of edamame you’d like to keep intact. (Parents, this could be your portion if your child is not ready for whole edamame beans). Put the rest into a food processor along with the cannellini beans and blend, drizzling in a small amount of oil until it reaches a hummus-like consistency.
Serve: Spread the edamame “hummus” on thin rice cakes or teething rusks or use as a dip. Serve the whole edamame intact if you feel your child is ready for whole beans or split the beans in half and remove the membrane-like skins by using the back of a fork.

To Store: Edamame keeps in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Flavor Pairings

Edamame beans have a sweet, grassy taste that pairs well with all sorts of ingredients and flavors. Try serving edamame on its own, seasoned with your family’s favorite herb and spice combinations. Or try mixing edamame with grains, pastas, or other legumes. Edamame’s mild taste also makes it an easy ingredient to mix into sweet or savory dishes alike. Try adding it to your next fruit salad!

Reviewed by

J. Truppi, MSN, CNS

V. Kalami, MNSP, RD

K. Rappaport, OTR/L, MS, SCFES, IBCLC

S. Bajowala, MD, FAAAAI. (allergy section)

R. Ruiz, MD Board-Certified General Pediatrician and Pediatric Gastroenterologist

Lee, J.Y., Popp, M.P., Wolfe, E.J., Nayga, R. M., Popp, J.S., et al. (2018). Information and order of information effects on consumers’ acceptance and valuation for genetically modified edamame soybean. PLoS ONE, 13(10). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206300. Retrieved August 12, 2020
Recent Trends in GE Adoption. (2020). United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved August 13, 2020
Séralini, G., Mesnage, R., Clair, E., Gress, S., Spiroux de Vendômois, J. et al. (2011). Genetically modified crops safety assessments: present limits and possible improvements. Environmental Sciences Europe, 23,10. DOI:10.1186/2190-4715-23-10. Retrieved August 13, 2020
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2019. Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press
Food Allergy Research & Education. Soy Allergy. Retrieved August 13, 2020
Savage, J.H., Kaeding, A.J., Matsui, E.C., Wood, R.A. (2010). The natural history of soy allergy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 125(3), 683-686. DOI:10.1016/j.jaci.2009.12.994. Retrieved August 13, 2020

15 Baby Food No-Nos

Did you know over 160 foods are known to cause allergies? In fact, 4% of adults and 5% of children in the U.S. have at least one food allergy. This can make figuring out what to feed your baby a little overwhelming.

To find nutritious foods that promote healthy development, you’ll need a little guidance. You’ll also need to stay away from certain foods that can pose a threat to your little one.

Talk to your pediatrician or a child nutritionist to discuss your family’s history of food allergies. A professional can give you the right advice based on your baby’s age and development. Begin the conversation by showing your pediatrician this list of foods that can be troublesome for a baby.

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Honey

Like dried rice, salt, and sugar, honey has an eternal shelf-life. Yet, honey is an extra special type of food. Unlike dried rice, salt, and sugar, you could consume five-thousand-year-old honey and it would be completely edible, provided it is covered and shielded from water. In a protected environment, honey does not spoil—well, almost.

Honey is not an allergen, but it is a potential source of Clostridium botulinum spores, and microscopic organisms can develop from these spores. In a baby’s immature intestinal tract, these bacteria can form into a hazardous toxin, producing a rare food poisoning known as botulism. This is why it isn't safe to introduce pasteurized or unpasteurized honey to a young child up to age 12 months; this includes any food that is baked with honey.

14/15

Strawberries

Berries can be part of a healthy diet, but they can also cause problems for a young child who has eczema or food allergies.

Strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are not recommended until your child is eating solid foods. Some babies between 4-6 months begin to eat baby cereal, mashed fruits, and pureed meats and vegetables. Once your child can tolerate these foods, provided there’s no allergy, berries can be introduced.

Blueberries and cranberries are not included in the newborn berry ban, but confirm with your pediatrician before offering these or any other types of berries to your baby.

13/15

Cow’s Milk

A newborn’s digestive system is delicate. An immature system needs milk that is easily digestible, as is mother’s milk. Cow’s milk, on the other hand, is highly concentrated with proteins and minerals. Many people, especially young children, are not able to digest lactose, the natural sugar in cow’s milk. Not only could your baby be intolerant to cow’s milk, but he or she could also be allergic. This is why many pediatricians suggest delaying the introduction of cow’s milk until a child’s first birthday.

Some young children do well with cow’s milk before the age of one, but that’s because they are ready to digest it. For others, it’s simply too soon. Intolerance to milk can overwhelm a young baby’s kidneys, causing fever and diarrhea. An allergy can cause adverse reactions including rash, and colic-like crying.

If you want to introduce cow’s milk to your child before the age of one, check with your pediatrician. Upon recommendation, offer a small amount, and then watch closely to see your baby’s response.

12/15

Edamame

It’s great as an appetizer or a side dish, but be careful before offering this veggie to a young child. Edamame is a young soybean. It’s also an allergenic food that your infant may not be able to handle. A severe allergy to edamame can cause hives and impair breathing. Also, introducing a soy product too early may create a soy sensitivity down the road.

If you want to offer your little one edamame, wait until your infant has passed the baby years. Even if your child is four-years-old, it’s a good idea to mash them or make a puree because the size and shape of the bean can be a choking hazard for a young child.

11/15

Grapes

Generally, grapes don’t pose an allergy risk, but they are considered a choking hazard for young children. Sometimes, young kids don’t chew thoroughly, and whole grapes are not safe for small windpipes. Either slice them into pieces no bigger than the length of your fingertip or serve them as a puree.

You know your child, but pediatricians suggest that you wait until your little one is at least four-years-old before offering this bite-sized fruit. Even then, use extreme caution when your child is eating grapes.

10/15

Broccoli

If you enjoy broccoli, you’re familiar with the gas it causes. This is why you may want to postpone feeding this vegetable to your baby. Offering broccoli to babies younger than six months may bring about uncomfortable gas pains they cannot release. For the same reason, you might want to delay the introduction of beans.

9/15

Peanuts

Because of the severe allergic reaction they can cause, some medical experts recommend holding off on foods that containing peanut protein until a child is, at least, seven-years-old. But, as long as there’s no history of allergies in your family, you can begin to expose your baby to chopped nuts around 12 months old, although your child’s doctor may suggest you wait longer.

Pediatricians also ask that you wait until the one-year mark before introducing small amounts of creamy peanut butter. Since they can block air from a baby’s lungs, hold off on whole nuts and spoonfuls of chunky peanut butter until your child is four-years-old.

8/15

Tree Nuts

Many people have a hypersensitivity to tree nuts. Allergies can be so severe, they can be life-threatening. This is why doctors ask parents to delay giving their kids walnuts, almonds, and pecans until the age of four.

Always ask your child’s doctor about introducing nuts, because allergic reactions can be lethal.

7/15

Eggs

Egg whites are known to trigger allergies, which is why some parents delay their introduction into their baby’s diet. Some people wait six months, and others wait 12 months. Before making a decision, speak with your pediatrician first.

Some kids are allergic to eggs, so you need to use caution when offering eggs to your baby. Immediate physical reactions include swelling, a runny nose, and a rash.

Baked goods with whole eggs are okay for an older infant. But, make sure foods with raw or undercooked eggs, such as homemade mayonnaise or raw cake batter, are strictly forbidden. Even lightly cooked eggs can lead to salmonella poisoning. Ensure egg whites and yolks are firm before feeding to a baby.

6/15

Candy

This one may seem obvious, but hard candy, gummy bears, and jelly beans are too slippery for an infant. These bite-sized sweets can easily get caught in a small windpipe.

5/15

Corn

In the United States, corn is a growing allergy problem with babies. It’s not a top allergy food, but it is a possible allergen. It’s also not a vegetable that is rich in nutrients.

If you want to offer it to your baby, confirm with your pediatrician that your little one has no allergy to corn. You can, then, offer pureed corn when your baby begins to eat solid foods.

4/15

Shellfish

Crab, lobster, and shrimp can prompt life-threatening allergic reactions and food poisoning. Experts continue to suggest caution and delay with shellfish.

3/15

Citrus Fruits

Generally, there’s no worry about allergies with citrus fruits, but they are highly acidic. Every year, many infants under the age of one suffer from rashes and digestive upset because they’ve consumed citrus fruits. The acidity is too painful for young kids to handle.

You can add a squirt of orange to a whole fruit puree, but don’t offer a baby under 12 months a whole wedge of orange.

2/15

Fish

Certain types of fish are high in mercury, particularly mackerel, marlin, and swordfish. Adults should not consume these types of fish too often, much less a delicate baby. In fact, levels of mercury in these fish can adversely affect an infant’s growing nervous system.

1/15

Sugar & Salt

Adding salt and sugar to your baby’s food is unnecessary. More importantly, it can be damaging. Excess salt is bad for a baby’s kidneys and added sugar can cause tooth decay. Plus, by not adding sugar and salt to your baby’s diet, your little one will learn to appreciate the natural flavors in food.

This list should not replace medical advice. If you’re confused about feeding your baby, talk to a pediatrician or a child nutritionist. You can never be too careful when it comes to keeping your little one safe.

From what age can beans, peas be given to a child

Legumes are vegetable leaders in protein content

So, let's find out when to start introducing a child to legumes, which ones are preferable and in what form to give them?

Legumes combine the beneficial properties of vegetables and meat. Like other vegetables, they are rich in fiber, which means they have a beneficial effect on the work of the intestines. At the same time, the protein content in legumes can be compared with its content in meat, and therefore beans give a feeling of satiety for a long time. In addition, legumes contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals. For example, beans contain iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, iodine, copper, and zinc. This plant has diuretic and antimicrobial effects. It is very important that even after heat treatment, beans retain about 70% of all useful substances.

Green peas are also rich in vitamins and trace elements:

vitamin C
B vitamins
folic acid
iron
carotene
magnesium
selenium

Soy and lentils are much less commonly used in baby food. Meanwhile, soy is the leader among legumes in terms of nutrient content. It consists of 40% protein, which is digested no worse than animal protein.

Soy contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, vitamins E, B1, B2, B6, D, beta-carotene, which ensure the proper development of the skeletal system, visual acuity, and skin elasticity. Such important components as choline, biotin, folic acid have a positive effect on mental activity. Soy is rich in beneficial carbohydrates, which are used as a source of nutrients by members of the normal intestinal flora.

Lentils are rich in magnesium, necessary for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as iron. Like other legumes, lentils contain B vitamins, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

However, parents and pediatricians are in no hurry to introduce legumes into the child's diet. It is believed that they are quite heavy for a small tummy and can cause increased gas formation. True, this is more true for mature beans.

But with young green beans, a child can be introduced already from 8–9 months. It is better to start acquaintance with legumes with industrial production, since canned products are highly homogeneous, which makes them easier to digest. Start, as with the introduction of other products, with a minimum amount - half a teaspoon. Then, within a few days, increase the amount of the product.

However, children should not be given full portions of legumes until about 18 months of age. The taste of beans or peas is harmoniously woven into the tastes of other vegetables in multi-component purees. By the way, in the nutrition of grown-up babies, it should be taken into account that beans are much better absorbed with vegetables than with animal protein.

Choose a vegetable puree for your child

After two years, the child can already be given not only green beans, but also more mature ones. At the same time, the portion size also increases. True, legumes are still given infrequently and in pureed form - in mashed potatoes or mashed soups. Peas for baby food are used peeled. Shelled peas, the grains of which are split in half and partially freed from the shell, contain less coarse fiber, boil quickly and are suitable for young children. Lentils are used only red.

How to cook legumes? Sort peas, beans or lentils before cooking, remove debris and foreign matter. Rinse thoroughly in cold water, soak in cold boiled water for 3–4 hours. Then boil the beans in a large amount of water, with a vigorous boil without a lid. Add salt at the very end of cooking. It is advisable to make a puree out of them using a blender.

And then add butter and serve with vegetables, make puree soup or make pea or lentil meatballs. Do not give your child raw legumes, such as green peas. They contain toxic components that are destroyed by heat treatment.

Remember: your child's diet should be varied and balanced. The introduction of legumes in moderation will help to solve this problem.

Can children eat soy | Baby soy milk

Soy is one of the oldest cultivated plants, its cultivation began in China five thousand years ago. Among all agricultural crops, it is one of the highest in protein - the protein content in soybean seeds can reach from 30 to 50%. Soy is also a source of fats containing phospholipids, which have antioxidant activity, promote membrane regeneration, improve the functioning of the liver, nervous system, muscles, strengthen blood vessels, and even reduce the need for insulin in diabetic patients. At the same time, soy contains a relatively low content of carbohydrates. The biologically active substances of soybean oil include tocopherols, a number of fat-soluble (β-carotene, vitamin E) and water-soluble (group B, folic acid, etc.) vitamins, macro- and microelements.

Check out other baby foods

For children, soy and products from it are most often used as a therapeutic food, for example, in children of the first year of life with intolerance to cow's milk proteins. Soy is a source of high-value proteins and can be used as an alternative to animal products (for example, in vegetarians), but it is not recommended for these purposes in pediatrics.

There is a wide range of soy-based baby food on the market. These include: soy milk, kefir, cottage cheese, cheese. These products are recommended for use in the nutrition of children older than 2.5 - 3 years.

It should be noted that soy products cannot provide a full-fledged replacement for dairy products, since their composition in terms of calcium and vitamin D is significantly inferior to products of animal origin, which can affect the growth and development of a child.

Soy milk is sweet in taste and may be recommended for children with lactose intolerance to cow's milk sugar. It is not inferior in nutritional value to cow's, but, unlike the latter, it is devoid of lactose and, therefore, can be used as food by persons with lactose deficiency. However, it is currently not recommended to give soy milk to children allergic to cow's milk proteins, since such children have a very high percentage of cross-allergy to soy proteins.

Soy "meat" is approved for use in children over 5 years of age. You can cook cutlets, meatballs, chops and other dishes from it. Soy "meat" is distinguished by a neutral taste and lack of smell, which requires the addition of flavors and spices, as a rule, not recommended for baby food.

Soy can also be encountered in the composition of meat products (sausages, frankfurters, sausages), where it is added in the form of soy flour. The presence of soy filler can be determined from the label, where soy protein is designated as E322 or E479. Such products are not desirable for use in the nutrition of children under 3 years of age.

Baby food should not include miso and tempeh - products made from soybeans fermented in a special way, natto - a product made from whole soybeans, as well as soy sauce, as it contains a lot of salt, and it belongs to highly allergenic products due to cooking technology . Soy products are not shown to children with congenital hypothyroidism and other endocrine diseases, with malnutrition, as well as premature babies.

Important!

Used inappropriately, soy products can cause the development of endocrine system diseases, and the phytoestrogens (plant hormones) contained in it can interfere with the development of sexual function. In girls, menstruation appears earlier, in boys, development slows down, and a decrease in testosterone levels may be noted. However, the right approach to organizing children's nutrition, including soy products, will allow you to get the maximum health benefits and expand your child's diet.