Carrots are one of those vegetables that I get a lot of questions about. Many people have heard that you can’t offer carrots too early. This is true, however, if you are feeding solids starting around 6 months, the focus should be on iron-rich foods at the beginning. Most of the parents I work with find that they are offering carrots closer to the 7-month mark, or later.

So, what exactly is the concern with carrots? There are actually a few.

Nitrates: Babies under 6 months have low stomach acidity, which means that they may convert nitrate into nitrite, and this can affect the oxygen in hemoglobin. This is called methemoglobinemia and results in rapid breathing, lethargy and a shortage of oxygen. If the dose of nitrate is extremely large, it could be fatal.  After 6 months, stomach acidity increases. I don’t recommend that babies under 1 year old consume juice for multiple reasons. This is, however yet another reason to avoid juice such as carrot or spinach until the child is at least over 1 year old.

Choking hazard: Raw carrots can be very hard to chew. It is a good idea to start with cooked carrots, many people steam carrots for their babies which make them much more mash-able by gum or teeth. When introducing raw try grating them, or cutting them lengthwise to help reduce chances of choking. Hard coin cut carrots can be a choking risk. The benefit of using different forms is that you are able to introduce the same taste for you baby while having it offered in different textures. I also don’t recommend taking the peel off the carrots. Just scrub the outside and use them in various ways and textures when serving them to your baby.

Parents often ask me about eating out when feeding your baby food from the table. Carrots are often available steamed at many restaurants, and therefore can provide some options if you are eating out.

This baby really enjoyed carrots and enjoyed moving them around his mouth.

Looking for more information about how to feed your baby? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future’s Registered Dietitian at nf.nutrition@gmail.com



References:
Pg 284, Child of Mine- feeding with love and good sense by Ellyn Satter (2000).
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/nitrate_nitrite/index-eng.php#a52

This bread is both gluten free and vegan. The oats and seeds in the bread help to increase the fibre. It is a filling bread that toasts and freezes well. Enjoy!

Revised from Cream Hill Estates Oat Bread for Bread Machine

2 1/2 cups Water
1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
1/3 cup Milk Alternative
2 cups Oat flour (Gluten Free)
2 cups Oats, rolled (Gluten Free)
1 cup Brown Rice Flour
1 1/2 cups Corn Flour
1/3 cup Sugar
2 Tbsp Bread Machine Yeast
4 tsp Xanthan gum
1 tsp Salt
1/4 cup Ground Flax Seeds
3 Tbsp Chia Seeds
3 Tbsp Sunflower Seeds
3 Tbsp Hemp Seeds
3 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
2 Tbsp Poppy Seeds

1. Add liquid ingredients to bread machine container
2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl
3. Set bread machine to rapid setting
4. Add dry ingredients to bread machine container when paddle starts to mix. Scrape sides and smooth top with spatula

Questions about gluten free foods? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future's Dietitian at nf.nutrition@gmail.com 

Baking and cooking with kids can be a lot of fun. You can start involving your kids as toddlers. Anyone who has ever been around a toddler has seen that they love to assert themselves as individuals. Asking for your child’s help in the kitchen can benefit them in so many different ways, and affect so many parts of their lives.

Not a baker or a cook? That’s not a problem. Learning how to bake and cook with your kids is not only something that will benefit the whole family but it can be a lot of fun too. Watching anything your kids do, from their perspective, is always enlightening, but I find that when it involves food it takes it one step further because the end result is something they can eat. Start with simple recipes and go from there.

If you are a baker or a cook, you might find yourself taking a lot of breaths as you get your kids involved in the process. Try to step back, relax and enjoy the entertainment. Yes, it’s true that you could get it done in half the time or less but kids helping in the kitchen is important on so many levels, including:

·      Helping them learn about how to use food.

·      Understanding what we do to food to help turn it into the meals that we eat.

·      Learning how different ingredients work together – from baking soda and baking powder, to simply what happens        when you mix liquids and solids together.

·      Teaching them about different spices, by talking about the flavours and benefits.

These are important life skills and starting off young is only going to benefit them. It’s sad but true that many adults these days just don’t know how to cook even simple meals, like grilled cheese.

Empowering our kids to learn is so important. We, as a society, need to get back to a place that sees the normalcy of taking the time to cook the food that we eat. It is of benefit to everyone.

Involving your kids in the kitchens has many benefits for them, regardless of their age. These include:

·      Math: measuring and counting ingredients.

·      Science: how ingredients work together, learning about different stages of cooking ie/ liquid to solid and vice                             versa, boiling, the effect of different temperatures, etc. 

·     Safety: cutting with sharp objects, using heat to cook with, keeping food safe to eat.

·     Social: getting together with family and friends to cook and eat. Learning how to share and cooperate when      
                  working in the kitchen with other people.

·    Emotional: developing independence in the kitchen, feeling proud and satisfied by eating foods that have been                               prepared and cooked by themselves. This helps develop a positive self-image.

·      Language: reading, writing and communicating are all a part of being involved with food, recipes and cooking.

·      Sensory: smelling, tasting, touching, hearing, and seeing. Cooking touches on all of these senses.

·      Motor: being involved in the kitchen can help promote both fine and gross motor skills. It is also a great way to 
                    promote hand-eye coordination.

Kids can do more than we give them credit for. Base what you involve them with in the kitchen on their age and/or ability.


For toddlers and preschoolers:
o   Grating (with supervision)

o   Stirring

o   Mixing

o   Pouring

o   Providing the necessary tools ie/ bowls, spoons, measuring cups

o   Collecting the necessary ingredients ie/ spices, flours, etc.

o   Choosing a recipe (with help)

o   Pressing the buttons on blenders, mixers (with supervision)

    
For school age children:
o   Measuring out ingredients

o   Reading the recipe

o   Cooking and preparing simple meals ie/eggs, toast, salad

For teenagers:

o   choose recipes and prepare them for the whole family.

o   At this age they can even start creating their own recipes if they are interested.

Kids are often more willing to try foods and/ or meals that they have helped prepare. Baking and cooking together with your kids can be a great bonding experience. 

Did you miss part 1 of this series? Involving your Kids Part 1: gardening- to read click here

Looking for more ideas of how to involve your kids? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future’s Registered Dietitian at nf.nutrition@gmail.com  



References:
http://www.wrha.mb.ca/healthinfo/prohealth/nutrition/files/Nutrition_2.pdf