Benefits
In some cultures, people hesitate when giving lentils to babies fearing that they may cause gas problems. For others, lentil is essential part of baby's diet.
Keep in mind
You would not want to give up on this great source so to prevent gas problems, you may start with red lentil. Red lentil cooks faster than other lentil types and is softer. So it is ideal for soups and purees.
Both green and yellow split lentil is an excellent protein source. You can add lentil to any veggie puree that your little gourmet loves. If the dish you cooked is too juicy, you may use lentil as thickener.
When cooking dish of lentil, prefer to give lentil soup or lentil balls to babies at month 8-12. For lentil ball recipe, click here. For green lentil salad recipe, click here. For Gurme Bebek's special lentil recipes, click here.
Keep in mind
To prevent gas problems due to lentil, soak them in water. Then empty this water and wash the lentils and soak them in water again. Then after washing it again, cook it.
Another method is draining the water you soaked the lentil in and re-washing them and cooking them for 10 minutes. Afterwards it is better to discard this water again. Add water and cook it again.
Nutritional value per 1 cup of lentil (198 gram);
Protein 18 g
Fiber 16 g
Vitamin A 15.8 IU
Vitamin C 3.0 mg
Vitamin K 3.4 mcg
Folate 358 mcg
Calcium 37.6 mg
Magnesium 71.3 mg
Phosphor 356 mg
Potassium 732 mg