Vegetarian Baby Meals

Babies can eat soft table foods from a young age.

Meat is generally not introduced into a baby's diet until the second half of his first year. At this time and during baby's second year, vegetarian meals can be planned around foods high in iron and protein.

Protein

Foods such as legumes, whole grains, soy products, dairy products and nut butters all provide protein.

Iron

High-iron foods include millet, enriched wheat products, lentils, dried fruit, dark leafy vegetables and blackstrap molasses.

Meal Ideas

Meals and snacks may include lentil soup, cottage cheese with fruit puree, pasta with sauce, mashed tofu with vegetable puree, tahini on whole-grain toast, spinach quiche, dry cereal pieces, broccoli with cheese sauce, baked goods made with molasses or a rice and lentil stir fry.

References

• Baby Center: Introducing Solid Foods
• Baby Center: Baby Food Revolution
• "The Vegetarian Mother and Baby Book"; Rose Elliot; 1996.