What kind of peas to use for baby food

Easiest Pea Puree (A Simple Side or Baby Food)

byAmy Palanjian

Updated September 2, 2021

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This super simple Pea Puree is so fresh and delicious. It’s an easy baby food or side dish that you can add flavor to as desired. Plus, find ideas for other purees to combine it with, storage tips, and freezing info.

Pea Puree

Turning frozen peas into simple, fresh puree is one of the first foods I made for my kids. It’s so easy, freezes really well, and combines well with other baby foods too.

Plus, you don’t need any fancy cooking skills to pull this off—just a bag of frozen peas and a blender!

This recipe has a very straight forward method and is very quick to make. It’s perfect if you want to make a few servings of baby food at once to have on hand for the coming days or even to send to daycare.

You can also use it as a side dish for the whole family too, either plain or with some of the flavor additions.

TIP: I’m all about keeping things fuss-free when feeding babies and making vegetables for kids. Here’s a baby food chart that might help you get more ideas too.

Ingredients You Need

To make this recipe you just need…peas! I use frozen peas—organic or regular, depending on what I can find at a good at my local stores. The puree will taste best with peas that are naturally sweet and not crazy starchy, so if you have a brand you prefer eating yourself as whole peas, use that one.

(There’s a surprising variety of flavor when it comes to frozen peas!)

TIP: “Petite” peas tend to be sweeter and more tender, so if you see those, I’d recommend them.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the basic process involved in making this puree. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information.

Measure out your frozen peas. (I use two cups since that’s a good amount for my blender.)
Add to a pot with water and bring to a boil.
Drain.
Blend!

TIP: You can add avocado, butter, or olive oil to add healthy fats and flavor to the pea puree.

Baby Food Storage Tips

I like to use these small airtight containers from Wean Green. The serving size that is right for your baby may vary according to their age and appetite, so you may have to adjust once you see how baby likes this.

You can store this pea puree for baby in the fridge or freezer.

Best Tips for Success

Use organic peas if desired.
Add 2 tablespoons avocado, 1 teaspoon olive oil, or 1 teaspoon butter to add healthy fats and flavor.
Combine with whole milk plain yogurt for a simple baby snack.
Combine with Applesauce or Banana Puree and serve in a baby food reusable pouch.
Use reduced sodium vegetable or chicken stock and add a little Parmesan to make this as a simple side for the whole family.
Store in small airtight containers in the fridge for 3-5 days. Serve cold or slightly warm.
Freeze in a silicone ice cube tray overnight. Transfer to a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Find my best tips on freezing baby food here.
Find easy No-Cook Baby Food Recipes here, my Broccoli Puree and easy Carrot Puree.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please comment below to share!

This post was first published September 2020.

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 7 minutes

Author Amy Palanjian

Cuisine American

Course Baby Food

Calories 39kcal

Servings 6

▢ 2 cups frozen peas

Add the peas to a medium pot and cover with about an inch of water.
Place on the stove over high heat. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
Drain in a colander.
Add to a blender and blend smooth, adding 1/4-½ cup water (or sodium-free broth) to create a smooth baby food puree. (Less liquid will create a thicker puree, more liquid will create a thinner one.)
Serve or store for future meals.

Vitamix Blender
Silicone Ice Cube Tray
Storage Containers

Use organic peas if desired.
Add 2 tablespoons avocado, 1 teaspoon olive oil, or 1 teaspoon butter to add healthy fats and flavor.
Combine with whole milk plain yogurt for a simple baby snack.
Combine with Applesauce or Banana Puree and serve in a baby food reusable pouch.
Store in small airtight containers in the fridge for 3-5 days. Serve cold or slightly warm.
Freeze in a silicone ice cube tray overnight. Transfer to a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Use reduced sodium vegetable or chicken stock and add a little Parmesan to make this as a simple side for the whole family.

Calories: 39kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 2mg, Potassium: 118mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 370IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

Baby Food With Peas (Pea Puree For Baby)

By Anjali Shah on October 12, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.

Simple to make baby food with peas, a pea puree for baby, is rich in protein, folic acid, and vitamins and minerals. This stage one baby food can be served to your baby as young as 4 months. It has a fresh flavor and can be combined with fresh herbs for an earthy flavor.

Making homemade baby food peas might seem intimidating, but it’s actually super easy and much more budget friendly than store bought baby food!

This baby food with peas is simple, easy and a great source of nutrients for your baby. It’s creamy, has a mild taste, and can be customized in so many different ways to support your baby’s growing body (and growing taste buds!)

Latest Recipe Video!

If it’s your first time making your own baby food at home, check out my quick start guide here! And then, when your baby is ready to start solid foods, try this recipe for pea puree baby food.

One of the best things about this recipe is, you can actually make a huge batch and store it for later – making quick meals for your baby ready in minutes!

👩‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

🥬 What Are The Health Benefits Of Peas?

🥘 Ingredients

📖 Peas Baby Food Combinations

🔪 How To Make Pea Puree For Baby

🧊 How To Store

❓Recipe FAQs

🍽 Tips For Feeding

💭 Tips For Making Baby Food

🥣 More Baby Food Recipes!

📋 Recipe Card

🎥 Watch How to Make It

👩‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

Super easy recipe
Only one ingredient, plus water
Great first food
Several cooking methods
Healthy
Mild flavor, easy to mix with other purees
Budget friendly: cheaper than buying Gerber baby food peas or other store bought baby food
Rich source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals
Stage 1 Baby Food: Introduce between 4-6 months of age

🥬 What Are The Health Benefits Of Peas?

Sweet peas are a powerhouse vegetable, are nutrient rich, and are so healthy for babies! Here’s why:

Great source of vitamins and minerals including Vitamins A, B6, C, K, Folate, Iron and Zinc, which helps support baby’s immune system, build strong bones, form red blood cells, and fight infections.
High in protein
High in fiber, which helps support baby’s digestive system
Good source of antioxidants and phytonutrients

🥘 Ingredients

Baby food with peas is so easy to make! All you need is two simple ingredients. For detailed instructions and nutritional information, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Frozen Green Peas: I recommend using frozen peas. They are flash frozen right when they’re picked, and no extra prep or work is needed. If you can, get organic frozen peas from your local grocery store to reduce your baby’s exposure to pesticides. I use 2 bags of 16 oz peas. This will make a large quantity, but it’s great for freezing! You can use garden peas or fresh peas, it will just require more prep time, especially if the peas are still in their pods!
Water: Start with 8 ounces of filtered water. If you think the peas need to be watered down a bit more, add water one ounce at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

📖 Peas Baby Food Combinations

There are so many baby food combinations with peas, the possibilities are almost endless! Here are some of our favorite creamy combos of this simple puree:

Baby Food Peas And Apples: Some babies may not like peas on their own, but they can be made palatable immediately by mixing with another fruit puree! Apples and peas go really well together, as do fruits like pears, banana, peaches, and mango.
Baby Food Peas And Carrots: Smashed peas and carrots is a classic combination! Carrots are slightly sweet and mix nicely with this baby pea puree recipe. You can also try other vegetables like sweet potato, butternut squash, cauliflower, or regular potatoes!
Combine with Other Green Vegetables: Add fresh peas to any other green veggie to create a green fresh vegetables puree. Try adding spinach, zucchini baby food, green beans, or broccoli to the puree for a nutritional powerhouse!
Add Protein: You can mix this pureed peas for baby with chickpeas, lentils, yogurt, or even soft tofu for a protein boost!
Add Healthy Fats: Try some ground flaxseed, avocado, or a little bit of olive oil, coconut oil, organic ghee or butter! You can also mix this easy peas puree with breastmilk or organic baby formula right before serving (but do not mix it with breastmilk or formula and store it for later).

Adding Spices And Herbs To This Baby Peas Recipe

Adding spices and herbs to your baby’s food is an easy way to start developing their palates early. For this baby food with peas recipe, you can try adding fresh herbs like mint, basil, parsley, or cilantro.

Spices or other flavors that your baby might enjoy include: a splash of lemon juice or lime juice, a pinch of ginger powder, a pinch of garlic powder, or a little bit of cumin.

🔪 How To Make Pea Puree For Baby

Making baby food peas is super easy and takes just a few steps! Here’s how you do it:

Steam The Peas: Add a little water to a large pot and add a steamer basket on top. Steam your peas for 3-5 minutes.

Puree Peas: Once the steamed peas are green and tender, pour them into a blender or food processor and add enough water to give you a smooth but not runny consistency. You can also use a hand blender if you add the water to the pot itself and then blend with a hand blender in the pot. I used about 8 ounces of water, but you might need a little more or less. Blend until smooth. Add more water if needed one ounce at a time until this peas puree for baby has reached your desired consistency.

Note: You can also boil the peas in a little bit of water. If you do choose to boil the peas, add the peas and water to a pot over high heat. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer until the peas are cooked but not mushy (about 5-7 minutes). Add both the cooked peas and the water you cooked them in to the blender when pureeing, and only add additional water if you need a thinner puree.

Prepare For Freezing: Pour into ice cube trays, allow to cool, wrap/cover, and freeze. Cubes will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Thaw For Use: Thaw in the fridge in a small bowl the night before use, or thaw by putting the ice cube in a bowl over a bowl of hot water on the counter until completely defrosted. Serve baby food with peas at room temperature or very slightly warmed.

🧊 How To Store

Refrigerator Storage Instructions

Allow the baby food with peas to cool completely.
Transfer to an airtight container.
Place in the fridge and use within 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave slightly and test how warm it is before serving to your baby. A little warmer than room temperature (or just at room temperature) is perfect.

Freezer Storage Instructions

Allow the green pea baby food puree to cool completely.
Transfer to ice cube trays. I recommend using durable, covered, ice cube trays for freezing. I like these from Mumi & Bubi because they come with a cover, a recipe book, and the cubes are super easy to get out. A covered silicone ice cube tray is also a great option. If you don’t have covered ice cube trays, wrap your trays in plastic wrap.
Store in the freezer for up to 4 months. After freezing overnight, you can pop the cubes out of the tray and store in a zip top freezer bag with all air pushed out. Label with contents and the date.
To defrost: When you’re ready to thaw the cubes, transfer the pea baby food cubes you plan on serving to the refrigerator overnight. The next day, stir the puree, then warm slightly in the microwave (to just slightly warmer than room temperature).

❓Recipe FAQs

When can babies start eating peas?

Babies can start eating peas as soon as they are ready to start solid foods, typically between 4-6 months of age. At that age, you’ll want to puree the peas or mash them before serving them to your baby.

Are peas a good first food for babies?

Absolutely! Peas have a mild flavor, are allergen friendly, and can be one of the best first food options for babies. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein, which also makes them great nutritionally for your baby’s development.

Are frozen peas ok for baby food?

Yes, you can use frozen peas when making this english pea puree for baby. But do not serve your baby frozen peas without pureeing them, as they are a choking hazard.

Even if you steam frozen peas, they are still a choking hazard (similar to grapes) until your baby is about 3 years old.

Once your baby gets closer to 12 months of age, you can defrost frozen peas, steam them, mash them, and then use the mashed peas as a finger food.

Can you use canned peas for baby food?

I do not recommend using canned peas for baby food. Some cans still contain BPA. Also, they are not as fresh or flavorful. In fact, they can have quite a pungent smell, and acidic flavor. Using fresh or frozen peas will ensure that your baby enjoys this healthy stage 1 recipe!

Do peas make babies gassy? Do peas make babies constipated?

Peas should not cause gas or constipation in your baby. Peas are high in fiber, so they should actually help to alleviate constipation because the fiber helps to soften your baby’s stool and make it easy to pass.

🍽 Tips For Feeding

How Do I Introduce Peas To My Baby?

Once your baby is ready for solids, you can add a little bit of green pea puree to a small baby safe spoon and let your baby experiment with it. Let them touch it, put little bits in their mouth, and see how they like it.

Alternatively, you can feed it to them directly if they are leaning forward and opening their mouth already.

When you start solid foods, 1 tablespoon of green peas puree is more than enough for a “meal.” So start with small amounts and work your way up from there as your baby gets used to eating!

If your baby turns up their nose to peas, try adding some fresh herbs, or other fruit and veggie purees (see the variations above)

What Food Should I Try On My Baby First?

Typically, I recommend starting with mild tasting vegetables. Since breastmilk and formula is already sweet, your baby’s palate is already used to sweet tastes.

When it comes to starting solids, the best way to ensure your child becomes an adventurous eater (and not a picky eater), is to expose them to different tastes and different textures (beside sweet, soft foods) early on.

I like starting with vegetables like green beans, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and of course, this peas baby food recipe! If you want to start with a fruit first, start with avocados, and then move onto some of these milder vegetables.

Other Quick Feeding Tips

Follow your baby’s lead! Don’t try to make your baby eat once they’ve indicated they are full or done (e.g. they have turned away from the spoon, stopped opening their mouth, or started playing with or pushing away the food). It’s also ok to let your baby explore with the spoon and the food on their own. It will make a mess, but it encourages your baby to develop key skills for self feeding.
Be persistent! Sometimes it can take up to 50-100 tastes of new foods for a baby to accept it. If your baby doesn’t like the puree at first, keep trying and don’t give up!
Add spices! Don’t be afraid to expose your baby to all kinds of tastes and flavors. Feel free to serve these green peas for baby with a variety of spices. Don’t use “hot” spices like chili powder, cayenne, red pepper, etc. but mild and sweet spices (and all herbs) are great options.

💭 Tips For Making Baby Food

Use baby food storage containers. This allows you to make one batch, freeze, and have for the entire month or more! You’ll save tons of time, and have a variety of fresh and homemade purees to give to baby.
For a super smooth puree, I recommend investing in a high powered blender. I used our Vitamix to puree large quantities at the same time. It pulverizes everything and you end up with a smooth texture (similar to what you’d find in store bought baby food). You don’t need a “baby food maker” – any great blender will do. And if you have a Vitamix you can use it for so many other things besides baby food!
Make sure you have all the necessary tools. You don’t need anything fancy for this sweet pea puree. A good blender is essential. I also suggest having a steam basket so that you can easily steam your vegetables without having to submerge them in boiling water.
Don’t overcook the peas! They don’t need a ton of time to steam. You want them to turn a bright green color, and become slightly soft in texture – that’s when they are perfectly cooked. Once that happens, remove them from the steam basket, and submerge them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. All of your green veggies should remain bright green after they have been cooked – that’s how you know they have been cooked properly.
Adjust consistency as needed. If the baby puree is too thick add more water. Or add breast milk, or formula just before serving to your baby.
For an on-the-go option: There will be times you’re on the go and need a healthy pre-made option for your little one. And in those cases, I’d recommend buying one of the pouches on my list of the healthiest baby food pouches.

🥣 More Baby Food Recipes!

10 Easy Baby Food Recipes for Beginners
Zucchini and Apple Puree
Baby Led Weaning Foods
Butternut Squash Puree
Superfoods for Babies and Recipe Ideas

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📋 Recipe Card

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5 from 3 votes

Baby Food With Peas: Pea Puree

Simple to make baby food with peas, a pea puree for baby, that is rich in protein, folic acid, and vitamins and minerals. This stage one baby food can be served to your baby as young as 4 months. It has a fresh flavor and can be combined with fresh herbs for an earthy flavor.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Baby Food

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: 14 ounces

Calories: 52kcal

Author: Anjali Shah

▢ 2 lbs organic frozen peas about 2 (16 oz) bags
▢ 8 oz water more or less depending on how thin or thick you want your puree to be

▢
Regular Blender
▢
Large Stock Pot
▢
Steamer basket

▢
Steam your peas for 3-5 minutes
▢
Once the peas are green and soft, pour them into a blender and add 8oz water. Puree until smooth. (You may want to start with less water and keep adding more until your puree has reached its desired consistency).
▢
Pour into ice cube trays, allow to cool, wrap/cover, and freeze.
▢
Thaw in the fridge the night before use, or thaw by putting the ice cube in a bowl over a bowl of hot water on the counter to defrost.

Mix with your baby’s favorite fruit or some sweeter veggies (butternut squash works great) to make peas more palatable!
This recipe can make anywhere from 12-16 ounces depending on how much water you use.1 ice cube = 1 oz of food
Stage 1 Food: 4 months and up
Use baby food storage containers. This allows you to make one batch, freeze, and have for the entire month or more! You’ll save tons of time, and have a variety of fresh and homemade purees to give to baby.
For a super smooth puree, I recommend investing in a high powered blender. I used our Vitamix to puree large quantities at the same time. It pulverizes everything and you end up with a smooth texture (similar to what you’d find in store bought baby food). You don’t need a “baby food maker” – any great blender will do. And if you have a Vitamix you can use it for so many other things besides baby food!
Don’t overcook the peas! They don’t need a ton of time to steam. You want them to turn a bright green color, and become slightly soft in texture – that’s when they are perfectly cooked.
Adjust consistency as needed. If the baby puree is too thick add more water. Or add breast milk, or formula just before serving to your baby.

Peas complementary foods - Encyclopedia Baby food

Levchuk Victoria © peas

Peas in complementary foods are necessary for a small child. For diversity and health. Strictly speaking, green peas are not a vegetable. It is part of the legume family, it is a plant that produces pods with seeds inside. Lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peanuts are also legumes.

However, green peas are usually cooked and sold as vegetables. You can find it frozen, fresh or canned.

The nutritional value of peas is amazing considering the small size of the peas. Did you know that one cup of peas contains more protein than a tablespoon of peanut butter, as well as calcium, vitamins A and C, and iron. These wonderful little vegetables are a great first green food for a baby as they are both nutritious and delicious.

Types of peas

Contents:

Since childhood I know that peas can be different. There are sweet varieties that are grown for salad or just to eat, and there are varieties that are good to dry and eat in the winter.

Peas are one of the earliest crops to ripen in spring and can be used in all kinds of culinary dishes.

Peas are fairly easy to grow. The hardest part of growing peas is choosing which variety to grow. There are basically three types of peas: sugar, shelling and brain peas. There are also fodder varieties , but we will not discuss them here. Each goes by several names, which makes the choice even more confusing. But it is important for us to know their differences.

Sugar variety is the sweetest and is eaten fresh with the pod.

green peas for children

Peeling variety is used for conservation, long-term storage, it makes delicious soup in winter. Brain peas are always canned.

Pea season from the beginning of June to July, depends on the strip of Russia. In our south, children can already buy from mid-May.

History of peas

green peas

When exactly peas were first discovered remains a mystery, however, there are many assumptions. For example, the first appearance of the pea is thought to have been in Central Asia, especially in Burma and Thailand or Afghanistan, the eastern edge of the Mediterranean basin, and the mountain ranges and plateaus of Ethiopia.

Fossilized pea pods found in Switzerland date back to 10,000 years ago. In the 3rd century BC, Theophrastus mentions peas that were sown in the later winter. Pea cultivation is believed to have spread to India, China and Europe in the 2nd millennium BC. Roman legionaries harvested wild peas to supplement their diet in the 1st century BC.

Green Peas Complementary Food

Peas were brought to North America by Christopher Columbus in 1942, where they were quickly adopted by Native Americans. During the Middle Ages, peas were a stable food that kept hunger at bay, and during the early modern era in Europe, unripe fresh peas were prized as a gourmet meal.

Peas became famous in Russia only in the 18th century. It was grown throughout Russia, both in the fields and in the gardens.

Green peas “walked” along the roads of Russia, because they were planted along the roads so that travelers could eat. In Russia, about 200 million cans are canned a year, probably because of the Olivier salad.

Benefits of peas

peas baby food

Compared to vegetables like carrots, peas have higher protein levels. In addition, Pea is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, iron, folate, thiamine, vitamin C and manganese. It also has a high level of vitamin K. One of the health benefits of green peas is blood sugar control.

Peas also contain a unique range of health-promoting phytonutrients. One of these phytonutrients, a polyphenol called coumestrol, has recently come to the fore in research to protect against stomach cancer. A study in Mexico City found that daily consumption of green peas, along with other legumes, reduced the risk of stomach cancer, especially when the daily intake of coumestrol from these legumes was approximately 2 milligrams or more. Since one cup of green peas contains at least 10 milligrams of coumestrol, it will not be difficult for us to get these wonderful health benefits.

Don't forget the unique phytonutrients in green peas that provide us with key antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some researchers are now suggesting that the link between consumption of green peas and legumes and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes may be due not only to the relatively low glycemic index of green peas (around 45-50), fiber or protein in the composition, but also to unusual combination of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients.

minerals and vitamins peas

peas for children

Green peas stand out as an organic food. Agricultural research has shown that planting peas can provide important benefits to the soil. First, peas belong to a category of crops called "nitrogen-fixing" crops. With the help of bacteria in the soil, peas and other crops can extract nitrogen gas from the air and convert it into more complex and usable forms. This process increases the nitrogen content of the soil without the need to add fertilizer. Peas also have a relatively shallow root system that can help prevent soil erosion, and once the peas are harvested, plant debris tends to break down relatively easily to enrich the soil. Finally, crop rotation of peas with other crops has been shown to reduce the risk of pest problems.

Complementary Peas

Although Green Peas are extremely low fat foods (approximately one-third of a gram of fat per cup), the type of fat and fat-soluble nutrients they contain is impressive. Recent studies have shown that green peas are a reliable source of omega-3 fats in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

One cup of green peas contains approximately 30 mg of ALA. About 130 mg of the essential omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, can also be found in a cup of green peas. This very low but high-quality fat content helps us get important fat-soluble nutrients from this legume, including significant amounts of beta-carotene and small but valuable amounts of vitamin E.

So let's not neglect green peas in summer and dry peas in winter. In the diet of children, this is a very useful product.

peas for children

Green peas cannot be a first food because they cause discomfort and gas. Russian pediatricians advise introducing green peas to children after 10-12 months, and American pediatricians - after 8 months.

Beans should not be given more than 2 times a week.

Dishes from mature peas can only be given after 2 years of age in soups. Canned peas can be given after 3 years. A portion of the first complementary foods is not more than 30-50 grams, if the child has digestive problems, then let the portion be smaller so that the body gets used to it faster.

Children under 2-3 years old can eat green peas up to 80 grams. Mature grains are given in an amount of not more than 100 grams after 3 years.

Fresh peas can be offered from 2-2.5 years old, only young sweet varieties.

Green peas are considered a hypoallergenic product, so they can be safely given to a child.

green peas complementary foods

pea puree

There is an opinion of doctors that it is better to give green peas up to 12 months, so that the body learns to digest it, because later it will be more difficult to do.

The first feeding with green peas is in the form of mashed potatoes, which are boiled until cooked and rubbed through a sieve, so it is better absorbed.

Ruth Yaron's book "Supernutrition for Your Baby" states that whole green peas are dangerous for a child under three years of age, they must be given mashed, ie. crush with a regular fork. I usually just crush them with my fingers before giving them to a child. But we eat it instead of popcorn, so this way, I peel off the green shell, squeeze it with my fingers and give it, this is enough for a two-year-old child so that he does not choke.

Pea soup with smoked meats is best introduced to a child at the age of 5.

peas complementary food

Allergy to green peas and peas

pea soup

Peas come in several varieties, but green and yellow peas are the most commonly consumed. Pea allergy exists but is not very common. In most cases, pea allergies in children are due to cross-reactivity between peas and other legumes. It is also important to cancel that green peas are considered hypoallergenic , but mature peas are already included in the middle group of allergenic products .

Children may be allergic to peas, especially if they have had an allergic reaction to other legumes. Legumes is a family of products that includes peas, chickpeas, peanuts, beans and lentils, etc.

There is a high degree of cross-reactivity between lentils, chickpeas and peas. In addition, pea allergy can also occur due to IgE-mediated (antibody-mediated) cross-reactivity between peas and peanuts.

pea soup

A child's body can react to such allergens in peas as isoflavone reductase, globulin, glutelin, vikilin, vivilin. And most importantly, these allergens are resistant to heat and chemical treatment.

Cases of reactions to the inhalation of vapors from cooking peas have been observed. Cases of allergies to boiled peas have also been reported, but no allergies to green peas have been found in these patients.

There is a chance for a child to become allergic to peas over a period of time, especially if the portion is too large. But before giving peas to a child, it is recommended to consult a doctor and always adhere to the 4-7 day waiting rule when peas are introduced into complementary foods or any other food in the diet. It is better to give less than more.

Pea allergy symptoms vary among children. Some symptoms may be mild, while others may be severe. Mild symptoms include rashes, hives, itching in the mouth, throat, lips or entire face, stomach cramps, vomiting and coughing, etc.

Severe symptoms include shortness of breath, shortness of breath and rapid heart rate, anaphylactic shock which can cause choking and severe breathing difficulties.

It is best to seek medical attention regardless of mild or severe allergy symptoms. Timely action will help to avoid complications, as well as help in diagnosis and treatment.

How to give green peas to children?

For the first feeding green peas should be boiled in clean water. Beat with a blender and give in the form of pea puree. Babies love bright green puree because of its sweet taste and smooth texture. Depending on how much your child eats, you can store the puree in small bags, ice cube trays, or in a zip-lock freezer bag. Up to 2 years, it is better to give the child only in the form of baby puree. Either neat or mixed with other vegetables.

Why love pea puree?

green peas for children

Versatility: Ideal as a first bean puree for children and as an addition to a range of dishes. It is worth trying to serve peas with fish, seafood, chicken or use as a sauce.
A sensory explosion: pea puree hits all the senses, from delicious taste, fresh aroma to bright green color.
Quick and easy to prepare : Prepare a gentle puree in less than ten minutes.
Available all year round : Using frozen peas means the family can enjoy this puree no matter the season.
Freezing : frozen peas are ideal, either pureed or as peas.

How to select and store peas

Only about 5% of grown peas are sold fresh. The rest are either frozen, or canned, or dry.

green peas for children

When purchasing fresh green peas , we are looking for strong pods, velvety and smooth. Their color should be a lively medium green. Those whose green color is particularly light or dark, or yellow, whitish or mottled grey, should be avoided. Also, don't choose pods that are swollen, soaked in water, or have mold residue. The pods should contain peas of sufficient quantity and size so that they do not have a lot of empty space. It is enough to shake the pod to understand whether it is empty or full. All varieties of fresh peas should be stored in the refrigerator, as the heat will speed up the formation of sugar in the starch.

Unwashed peas stored in the refrigerator in a bag or unsealed container will keep for several days. Peas are not stored in a pod for a long time, so if you bought a lot, then it is better to peel them and store green peas separately in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6-12 months.

green peas complementary foods

Unlike round pea pods, sweet pea pods are flat. Choose the smaller size as they tend to be sweeter.

To check the quality of peas, just open one of them and make sure that it is fresh. They should be bright green in color, firm and plump.

Dry peas must be stored in a dry, dark place, preferably in glass. If peas are bought by weight, then we look at the peas themselves so that they are the same color, dry, without mold and dampness, without pests. You can store about 12-24 months, depending on the variety of peas.

Pesticides and peas

Peas in Russia are classified as products with a low pesticide index, apparently because they are relatively easy to grow in any of our territories, they are not whimsical, there is water and sun, they will be happy.

But in 2019, Rospotrebnadzor identified a pesticide, the herbicide 2,4-D acid, in the Mistral brand of peas. Hope they fixed it.

Of course, it is better for children to buy an organic product that is grown without pesticides and nitrates.

complementary food peas

Contraindications

Peas are a difficult product to digest, which complicates the work of the child's gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if children suffer from colitis or enteritis, then you should refrain from the early introduction of peas into complementary foods and consult a doctor. Also, peas can increase gas formation, which will lead to abdominal pain. With frequent diarrhea or constipation, it is also not advisable to give peas in large portions. Green peas are not recommended for kidney disease. Boiled peas also contribute to an increase in uric acid in the body and the accumulation of salts. You can not this product with diseases such as cholecystitis, nephritis, kidney stones, increased blood clotting, gout and any intestinal diseases.

Suggested way of consumption

Pea and rice broth

Steaming or roasting green peas is an easy and healthy way to prepare this vegetable. Throwing peas in ice water after cooking makes for an even smoother puree for your baby! Peas are sweet and delicious, and can be added to children's meals for a nutritional boost.

Up to 1 year, green peas can only be boiled or baked in the oven, and then made into baby puree. After a year, you can cook soups or add 1/3 of green peas to mashed potatoes, you get an interesting color and taste.

The most common cooking method is traditional, when used in combination with vegetables or potatoes. Boiled peas are also often used in salads or with rice. A well-known option is cooking green peas with meat stewing method . Another alternative would be Pea Soup or Delicious Vegetable Puree. In Russia, you can also find pies with peas, pate, pancakes, cutlets, cereals, etc.

My favorite recipe for baby puree is to mix peas and other vegetables in a 1:3 ratio, about 1/3 of a pea. And add the fried onions before beating until smooth. It turns out tasty and satisfying.

Freezing peas

Peas are ideal for freezing. It does not lose taste, texture and smell. What more could you ask for? It can be frozen as green peas or boiled as a soup dressing. I already wrote about pea soup with bacon, how I freeze it in the form of a soup base.

Children's green peas are easy to freeze. In season, green sweet peas are bought, which get rid of the pod, and the peas are washed, dried, and then frozen in special bags. About 600 grams of green peas are enough for me for the winter. I cook soups with it, I make Olivier. Honestly, I stopped buying canned peas. Boiled and put in a salad, more benefits. You can store frozen peas for about 6-12 months. Moreover, it behaves perfectly, ice rarely forms on it, especially if it is frozen correctly.

Someone likes to blanch peas for 1-2 minutes, the shelf life is longer, but I don’t have it for more than 6-8 months.

In general, I recommend frozen over canned peas and acknowledge the benefits of fresh over frozen. Therefore, it is possible to buy fresh green peas, then we buy it, there is no way, we take frozen.

Why is it better to freeze it yourself in summer? But because the stores already sell old green peas. It is not as tender, it is suitable for soups, but not for baby food or salad. Therefore, in the summer I myself choose green peas, I am engaged in separation and freezing.

How to prepare green peas for children?

canned peas

Remove green peas from their pod, rinse under running water.

Steam: Put the peas in the slow cooker or steamer and cook for about 5-10 minutes, depending on the variety of peas.

Boil: Put the peas in boiling water, cook over high heat until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Depends on the youth of the peas, the younger, the less time is needed for cooking. Ready peas are tender, it is important that the shell should not burst.

Bake: Peas are baked in the oven for about 30-40 minutes, you can add a little butter for a nice taste.

After cooking the green peas, hold them under cold running water for about 3 minutes to make the puree more tender.

Preparing puree: Put the cooked boiled peas in a blender and blend until smooth. You can add liquids or breast milk. For children 10-12 months old, you can additionally pass pea puree through a plastic sieve.

How to prepare ripe peas for children?

cook peas

Mature peas must be soaked before cooking. Ideal for the night, but can be for a couple of hours. Soaking reduces the cooking time by 20-40 minutes. Then you can simply boil in water, the cooking time is up to 2 hours, depending on the degree of splitting of peas.

But I cook all legumes differently. On my site I have already written about this method, but I will repeat.

I throw soaked peas into boiling water. I put in 2 times more water. For about 1 cup of peas, 2 cups of water. And then I cook it for 5 minutes. I usually do this in the morning or at night. To forget about peas for a few hours. After 5 minutes of simmering or boiling, I wrap the pot in something warm and forget about it. Usually about 4 hours of slow cooling is enough for the peas to reach readiness. Very convenient way, economical in terms of electricity.

Finger food and green peas

Green pea puree

Only green peas are suitable for finger food (simply because they are tastier and brighter). It is most often chosen by mothers for tweezing. It is ideal to take peas with your fingers and send them to your mouth. Up to 2-2.5 years, it is better to take boiled green peas of sweet varieties, after which you can take fresh ones.

In principle, many doctors are sure that after 12 months it is already difficult to choke on a small pea, but they still advise crushing them with a fork, in order to avoid various situations with suffocation. We also crush fresh peas for the first time.

It is also important to know that if a child swallows a whole pea, then its size allows you to go out naturally in a few days.

Ready-made baby food from peas

Soup from peas

Mostly green peas are found in ready-made baby food, but peas can also be found in multicomponent purees. In its pure form, puree was discontinued. On the websites of baby food manufacturers, green peas are not presented in the line of one-component purees. Previously, he was at Grandma's Lukoshka, Hipp, Gerber.

gerber

mashed potatoes green peas-brood-kabachki, from 6 months, 125 grams
puree vegetables with pieces of beef with 12 months of 190 grams

HIPP

Assorted vegetable puree from 7 months 125 g
Vegetable puree-noodles-chicken from 1 year 220 g (peas)

Sempler

from 12 months 190 gram
Puree vegetables with beef meatballs, from 9 months 190 gram
Sauteed vegetables with sea bass from 12 months 190 gram
Puree potato-vegetable-chicken ragout from 12 months 190 gram

Heinz puree 9015 pasta navy with pieces from 10 months 190 grams (peas)

Foods that go well with peas:

carrots,
cauliflower,

potatoes,

100 grams of peas contain 298 kcal

Macronutrients

Microelements

Vitamin PP - 2. 2 mg

Beta-carotene - 0.01 mg

Vitamin A (RE) - 2 mcg

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.81 mg

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.15mg

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic) - 2.2 mg

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) - 0.27mg

Vitamin B9 (folic) - 16 mcg

Vitamin E (TE) - 0.7 mg

Vitamin H (Biotin) - 19 mcg

Vitamin PP (niacin equivalent) - 6.5mg

Choline - 200 mg

Calcium - 115 mg

Magnesium - 107 mg

Sodium - 33 mg

Potassium - 873 mg

Phosphorus - 329 mg

Chlorine - 137 mg

Sulfur - 190 mg

Iron - 6.8 mg

Zinc - 3.18 mg

Iodine - 5.1 mcg

Copper - 750 mcg

Manganese - 1.75 mg

Selenium - 13.1 mcg

Chromium - 9 mcg

Fluorine - 30 mcg

Molybdenum - 84.2 mcg

Boron - 670 mcg

Vanadium - 150 mcg

Silicon - 83 mg

Cobalt - 13. 1 mcg

Nickel - 246.6 mcg

Tin - 16.2 mcg

Titanium - 181 mcg

Strontium - 80 mcg

Aluminum - 1180 mcg

Zirconium - 11.2 mcg

Different varieties of peas may differ in shape and color, and there can also be from 4 to 10 seeds in a row. Peas are divided into two main categories: sugar varieties and shelling.

Composition and nutritional properties of peas

100 g of peas contain:

Proteins - 20.5 g
Fats - 2 g
Carbohydrates - 49.5 g
Dietary fiber - 11.2 g
Water - 14 g
Mono- and disaccharides - 4.6 g
Starch - 44.9 g
Ash - 2.8 g
Saturated fatty acids - 0.2 g
Unsaturated fatty acids - 1.39 g

Useful properties of peas

Peas are well absorbed by the body. It is considered a therapeutic and prophylactic product, since it normalizes metabolism, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, helps reduce the risk of cancer, hypertension, heart attack, and slows down the aging process of the skin.

The protein found in peas is similar to meat protein. It contains a number of essential amino acids. Peas are rich in ascorbic acids, PP vitamins, B groups, carotene, fiber, starch. The nutritional value is much higher than other vegetables.

Contraindications for use

It is not recommended to use peas in solid form for people with a stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer.

Peas in children's diet

Peas are useful in baby food. It combines such useful substances as B vitamins, vitamin E, C, carotene, vitamin PP. Peas also contain a large amount of potassium, manganese, phosphorus, lipotropic substances (choline and inositol). In the summer season, experts recommend including natural green peas and their green spatulas in the children's diet.

Cooking and consistency

Peas can be consumed boiled - soups, mashed potatoes. It is necessary to cook for about an hour crushed peas in half, and 1-1, 5 - whole. Previously, like all legumes, you need to soak for 10-12 hours.

Pea recipes for children

Pea soup

Ingredients:

Meat - 500 g
Peas - 200 g
Onion - 200g
Carrots - 2 pcs.
Potatoes - 3 pcs.

Preparation:

Pre-soak the peas for 4-5 hours. Then boil the meat broth and add the peas there. Cook for 1-1.5 hours. Add potatoes to broth. Finely chop the carrots and onions, fry in sunflower oil and add to the soup. Cook until done. Add salt and dill to taste.

Dried green peas with mushroom patties

Ingredients:

Dried green peas
Dried mushrooms - 50 g
Rice - 1 cup
Salt, nutmeg - to taste
Parsley

Preparation:

Soak peas for 4-5 hours and cook. Dried mushrooms, also pre-soaked, boil and chop. Then rice should be boiled with nutmeg, salt, parsley and mixed with mushrooms. Make meatballs from this stuffing, roll them in breadcrumbs and eggs and fry in butter.

Make a fry: 1 teaspoon flour, 1 teaspoon oil. Then dilute it with a glass of mushroom and pea broth, boil everything. The finished side dish should be served with mushroom cutlets.

Pork Rib Soup

Ingredients:

Lean Pork Ribs - 500-700g
Dry Peas - 1 tea cup
Potatoes - 3 pcs.
Bulb - 1 pc.
Carrots - 1-2 pcs.
Salt, herbs

Preparation:

Soak the peas in cold water for 10-12 hours. Pour the ribs with two liters of cold water, bring to a boil. For young children, the soup should be boiled in a secondary meat broth. Then you need to peel the potatoes and cut it into 4 parts.