A baby can be introduced to peas in their diet between 6 and 8 months. Peas have a very high nutritional value; peas contain a lot of protein, calcium, vitamins A and C and iron, which are important for the baby's development.

 

Peas are a good first vegetable for babies and their slightly sweet flavour makes them a popular choice for babies.

If you make your own baby porridge with peas, make sure that they are cooked very soft and that the skin of the peas is very finely chopped. If there are still pieces of pea skin in the porridge, you should press it through a sieve if the baby is not yet used to the consistency of solid food.

 

One cup of steamed or boiled peas contains on average

 

Vitamin A 955 IU

Vitamin C 22.7 mg

Niacin 3.25 mg

Folic acid 100 mcg

Vitamin B1 41 mg

Vitamin B6 0.35 mg

Potassium 433 mg

Phosphorus 187 mg

Magnesium 62.5 mg

Calcium 43.4 mg

Sodium 4.8 mg

Selenium 3 mg

Iron 2.5 mg

Zinc 1.9 mg

Manganese 0.8 mg

 

Peas for baby food are best bought fresh. To select the best peas, buy firm, crunchy, light green peas with a fresh appearance. The peas should have a relatively thin-skinned pod, as thicker skin indicates overripeness. Fresh green peas should be used up quickly or frozen so that the nutrients are not lost through prolonged storage.

For baby food, peas are either steamed in a steamer or boiled in a little water. You can add a little chicken or vegetable stock. Peas with carrots or potatoes are a good first food for babies.