Carrot for Baby Food | Wholesome Baby Food

Learn all about Carrots and try some Carrot baby food recipe ideas.

making-carrot-babyfood

When can I introduce Carrots to my baby?

Carrots may be introduced between 6 and 8 months of age. As always, I recommend that you thoroughly discuss any feeding issues with your pediatrician as generalities may not apply to your child.

Goodness of Carrots

Carrots are very high in beta carotene. Beta carotene is a Carotenoid. Carotenoid are a set of darkly colored pigments called pro vitamin A carotenoids that can be converted to Vitamin A. Vitamin A is very important in a developing infant’s diet.

Carrots are often one of baby’s first food. They are easy to digest and are packed full of nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Calcium.

Due to the issue of Nitrates, recommendations for the introduction of carrots varies. I have found that more often than not, the recommendation for introducing carrots is between 7 and 8 months old. Again, please see the Nitrates article for more in-depth information.

CARROTS: (half cup steamed)

VITAMINS:

Vitamin A – 13286 IU

Vitamin C – 1.8 mg

Niacin – .4 mg

Folate – 11 mcg

Pantothenic Acid – .2 mg

Vitamin B6 – .2 mg

Contains some other vitamins in small amounts

MINERALS:

Potassium – 177 mg

Sodium – 51.5 mg

Calcium – 24 mg

Phosphorus – 23.4 mg

Magnesium – 10 mg

Iron – .48 mg

Also contains small amounts of selenium, manganese, copper and zinc.

How to select and store the perfect carrots for homemade baby food

According to the EWG, carrots are not one of the “dirty dozen” foods that are most highly contaminated with pesticides – purchasing organic is a personal choice.

Select and store carrots

When purchasing carrots, look for those with minimal sprouting at the top. In other words, if the carrot has started to grow, it has been sitting around for quite some time. Also look for little “hairs” growing along the carrot. This also indicates the carrot is growing and has probably been sitting around for awhile.

The best way to preserve the flavor, crispness, and beta-carotene content in carrots is to refrigerate them.

Is it a good idea to use “baby carrots”?

“Baby” carrots are the product of modern technology and are specially formed by a machine that cuts them out from full sized older carrots. Some “growers” add green food coloring at the “stem” for further effect. One way to tell if a baby carrot is truly a baby carrot is to read its packaging. The common “baby carrots” sold in the grocery store will actually say “baby cut” carrots.

Baby cut carrots are cleansed in a solution that often contains chlorine so that they will not turn white while in the package. Skip these carrots and opt to peel and cut your own, especially if you will be making carrot baby food!

Visit this link at USA Today to read all about the inventor of the “baby carrot”.

How prepare carrots

The best way to preserve the flavor, crispness, and beta-carotene content in carrots is to refrigerate them.

When preparing Carrots, steaming is the very best method for cooking and preparing them. Steaming Carrots allows the beta carotene to be more bio-available and readily used by the body. Add a wee bit of butter to help better absorb the vitamin A.

Carrots should be peeled when making baby food purées as many infants will not be able to digest the skins. Unless you are purchasing Organic carrots, you should always peel carrots as chemicals do concentrate in the skin of the carrot. If you do not buy Organic carrots, please cleanse the carrots by using a vegetable brush and lightly scrubbing the carrots under cool running water.

Enjoy A Tasty Carrot Baby Food Recipes

Carrots – Basic Purée

Any amount of fresh carrots you desire

Directions:

Step 1: Peel carrots and cut into small chunks

Step 2: Place chunks into a steamer pan with just enough water visible through the steamer basket

Step 3: Steam until tender

Step 4: Do not reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the carrots if baby is under 8 months old as Nitrates may seep into the cooking water

Step 5: Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.

Step 6: Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency.

Carrots – Baked Carrots for Homemade Baby Food

Any amount of fresh carrots you desire

Directions:

Step 1: Peel carrots and cut length-wise into thick slivers.

Step 2: Oil a glass casserole dish with Olive Oil and then place the carrots into the glass casserole dish.

You may dash some garlic powder, basil and/or Italian seasonings (dried basil, oregano, rosemary all together), or even yummy tarragon, over the carrots if your baby is 8 months+ and eating spices. Visit our When can baby have spices page to learn more.

Step 3: Bake carrots at 350 F for approximately 45 minutes or until carrots have turned fork tender and have changed to a dark orange.

Step 4: Puree, adding water as needed, and serve or freeze. You can also cut the carrots into little bits and serve as finger food. Or, freeze the carrot dices in a freezer bag. This will allow you to serve up some “fast food” – baked carrots for finger foods.

Carrot-Rice Casserole (8 months+ due to dairy)

3 cups grated carrots
3 cups cooked brown rice
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt (no real need) – see our Salt in Baby Food article
1-1/2 cups evaporated skim milk (try plain yogurt instead.)
1/2 cup egg yolks
3 tablespoons grated nonfat or reduced-fat Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Step 1: Combine the carrots, rice, onions, herbs, and salt in a bowl, and stir to mix well.

Step 2: Add the milk (or yogurt) and egg yolks, and stir to mix.

Step 3: Coat a 2-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray, and spread the mixture evenly in a dish.

Step 4: Sprinkle cheese over the top.

Step 5: Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a sharp knife inserted in the center of the dish comes out clean.

Step 6: Remove dish from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Serves approx. 8.

Mashed Turnip & Carrot Delight

Ingredients:

1 very large turnip ( or many small ones)
6 large carrots ( or as many as you like)
spice to taste

Directions:

Step 1: To begin peel skin off of the turnip then cut turnip into pieces… size doesn’t matter, but the smaller you cut them the faster they will boil.

Step 2: After cutting the turnip place in a saucepan with water and boil till done (when you can stick a fork through piece, it’s done).

Step 3: Cut up carrots and steam until tender – or steam turnips and carrots together.

Step 4: When turnip & carrot are ready, put both in one bowl or saucepan and mash them together. Or you can mash them separately (food processor can also be used) and then mix them together.

Step 5: Add spices as desired.

Foods Good to Mix With Carrots:

Apples
Peaches
Green Beans
Dried Beans
White Potato
Sweet Potato
Peas
Summer Squash – zucchini or yellow/crooked necked
Winter Squash – butternut, acorn etc.
Brown Rice
Lentils
Chicken
Beef
Pork
Tofu

What does the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) say about Homemade Carrots?

“Because the intake of naturally occurring nitrates from foods such as green beans, carrots, squash, spinach, and beets can be as high as or higher than that from well water, these foods should be avoided before 3 months of age, although there is no nutritional indication to add complementary foods to the diet of the healthy term infant before 6 months of age” AAP – Nitrate Statement

AND

“Preventive strategy would be not to introduce home preparations of these vegetables to infants before 3 months of age, although there is no nutritional indication to add complementary foods to the diet of the healthy term infant before 4 to 6 months of age.23 Infants fed commercially prepared infant foods after 3 months of age generally are not at risk of nitrate poisoning, although the containers should be refrigerated after first use and discarded within 24 hours of opening. ” AAP – Nitrate Statement

AND

“Because vegetables, including green beans, carrots, squash, spinach and beets, can have nitrate levels as high or higher than that of well water, infants should not eat these foods until after age 3 months.”

AAP – WEll Water Nitrates

Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may pose allergy risks for your baby.