Beetroot Puree for Baby: A Healthy, Colorful First Food

Top Beetroot Benefits for Babies

• Rich in Essential Nutrients: Beetroot is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals such as folate, vitamin C, potassium, and iron, all of which are crucial for your baby’s growth and development.
• Supports Healthy Digestion: Packed with dietary fiber, beetroot helps promote healthy digestion and can alleviate constipation, ensuring your baby’s digestive system functions smoothly.
• Boosts Brain Development: The nitrates in beetroot improve blood circulation to the brain, supporting your baby’s cognitive development and enhancing overall brain function.
• Strengthens the Immune System: High in vitamin C, beetroot helps boost your baby’s immune system, making it a great food to include for better health and disease resistance.
• Naturally Sweet and Nutritious: Beetroot offers a naturally sweet flavor, making it an ideal choice for parents who want to avoid added sugars while still introducing a sweet taste to their baby’s palate.
• Packed with Antioxidants: Beetroot’s betalains are powerful antioxidants that help protect your baby’s cells from inflammation and oxidative damage, supporting long-term health.

Ingredients for Beetroot Puree for Babies

• 1 medium beetroot
• 1 medium potato (for a milder flavor)
• breast milk, formula, or water (for thinning)

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Beetroot Puree

1. Prepare the Ingredients (10 minutes):

• Thoroughly wash and peel the beetroot and potato.
• Cut them into small chunks for faster cooking.

2. Cook the Vegetables (20-30 minutes):

• Place the beetroot and potato pieces in a pot and cover them with water.
• Cook over medium heat for 20–30 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Beetroot might take slightly longer, so check with a fork for tenderness.

3. Blend into Puree:

• Drain the cooked vegetables (save the cooking water).
• Blend them using a food processor or hand blender until smooth. Add breast milk, formula, or cooking water to reach your desired consistency.

4. Cool and Serve:

• Let the puree cool to room temperature.
• Start with 1–2 teaspoons and gradually increase the serving size as your baby gets used to the new flavor.

Important Notes About Serving Beetroot Puree to Babies

• Mix with Other Baby-Friendly Foods: For a naturally sweeter flavor, mix steamed apple or sweet potato with beetroot puree for babies to enhance the taste and nutritional value.
• Freezing Beetroot Puree for Convenience: Freeze beetroot puree in ice cube trays for easy, portioned meals, making it more convenient for busy parents.
• How Often to Serve Beetroot Puree: Start with beetroot puree once or twice a week. As your baby gets used to it, you can gradually increase the frequency to 2–3 times a week.
• Beetroot Can Cause Pink or Reddish Stools: Beetroot puree may cause pink or reddish stools, which is completely normal and harmless for your baby.
• Serving Beetroot in Moderation: Due to beetroot’s high nitrate content, avoid over-serving it in the early stages. Start with small amounts and monitor for any reactions.

Please note: The nutritional information provided is an estimate, calculated using an online nutrition calculator.

Nutritional Facts

(Amount per serving)

Calories: 61 kcal | Total Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 42mg | Carbohydrate: 13.7g | Dietary Fiber: 2.1g | Sugars: 4.4g | Protein: 1.9g | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg | Potassium: 363mg