Being a new mom can be an exciting but tough job. You always have so many things on your mind and food always tops that list. Although readymade baby foods are convenient and may look healthy, they do not contain the right amount of nutrients that babies require at this stage. Baby food is quite simple to make and you do not have to be an expert in the kitchen to make food for your baby at home. Quinoa is one of the most wholesome seeds that you can add to your little one’s diet.

In this article, we will tell you all you need to know about introducing quinoa to your baby’s diet and we give you a couple of recipes.

The recipes in this article:

Recipe 1 – Quinoa banana smoothie
Recipe 2 –  Fruity quinoa breakfast
Recipe 3 – Pink quinoa meal
Recipe 4 – Mango quinoa twist

You might also be interested in our recipes with rice, chickpeas, and avocado.

When can a baby eat Quinoa?

You do not have to rush into feeding your baby solid food. While some parents wait until six months to start adding solid foods to their baby’s diet, others start from as early as four months. If your baby can hold their head up and sit upright, and if your baby’s pediatrician approves of it, your little one is ready to have solid food. You can introduce Quinoa to your baby’s food when they have reached about 8 months of age.

How to introduce Quinoa to your baby?

Quinoa seeds are very versatile and add so much nutrition to your baby’s diet. You can introduce it in the form of puree, cereal, or a pilaf. To replace couscous and rice, it can be cooked like grain (although it is a seed), or you can also grind it and use it as quinoa flour.

Recipe 1: Quinoa banana smoothie (age 8 months+)

A very tasty and sweet recipe that your baby will love!

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz quinoa
  • ½ a cup of formula
  • ½ ripe banana

Instructions

Step 1 – Cook the quinoa in a saucepan with boiling water for about 10 minutes. Make sure the quinoa seeds are soft.

Step 2 – Peel the banana and chop ½ of the banana in pieces.

Step 3 – Add the cooked quinoa, ripe banana and the formula to a blender and mix them into a smooth puree.

Recipe 2: Fruity quinoa breakfast (age 8 months+)

This is a super healthy breakfast recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 apple
  • 2oz of quinoa,
  • 1 pear (ripe)
  • ½ a cup of Greek yogurt
  • 1 drop of vanilla (optional)

Instructions

Step 1 – Cook the quinoa in a saucepan with boiling water for about 10 minutes. Until soft.

Step 2 – Peel the apple and remove the core. Slice the apple into pieces.

Step 3 – Cook the apple for a few minutes. This will make it softer and sweeter.

Step 4 – Peel the pear, remove the core and cut it into pieces.

Step 5 – Add all the ingredients to a blender. Mix it into a smooth puree.

Recipe 3: Pink quinoa meal

Delicious, healthy and with a beautiful color.

Ingredients:

  • 1 apple
  • 1 medium-sized beetroot
  • 4oz of cooked quinoa.

Instructions:

Step 1 – Cook the quinoa in a saucepan with boiling water for about 10 minutes.

Step 2 – Peel the apple and remove the core. Chop the apple into slices.

Step 3 – Cook the apple for a few minutes. This will make it softer and sweeter.

Step 4 – Peel the beetroot and bring a saucepan with water to a boil.

Step 5 – Add some vinegar and salt to the boiling water and cook the beetroot for about 30 minutes, until fork-tender.

Step 6 – Chop the beetroot into pieces and add all the ingredients to a blender.

Step 7 – Mix the ingredients into a smooth puree. Add some water or formula if you want to make the puree thinner.

Recipe 4: Mango quinoa twist

Delicious sweet and tropical mango-quinoa puree.

Ingredients:

  • ½ a ripe mango
  • 2 oz of quinoa
  • 1 tablespoon of applesauce

Instructions:

Step 1 – Cook the quinoa in a saucepan with boiling water for about 10 minutes.

Step 2 – Chop the mango into cubes.

Step 3 – Add the quinoa, mango, and tablespoon of applesauce to a blender.

Step 4 – Mix the ingredients into a smooth puree.

How to store these recipes

All three of these recipes can be stored in the refrigerator or up to 3 days, and in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure you separate meals into portions that your baby will eat to avoid having a bunch of excess food or having to throw out food.

You can use small food storage containers or an ice cube form to store your batch of homemade baby food.

baby smiling food recipes

Feeding guide for quinoa

 

8 months

9-10 months

11-12 months

No. of tbs per portion

1-2

2-3

2-4

No. of feedings

per day

2

2

2

Please keep in mind that this guide only applies to quinoa. If you add other ingredients, like meats, the guide doesn’t apply anymore.

We recommend that you consult with your baby’s pediatrician on introducing solid foods as generalities may not apply to your infant.

Which kitchen tools to use

In order to prepare these baby food recipes, you will need the following kitchen tools:

  • Blender or food processor
  • Knife
  • Tablespoon
  • Cup
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Cutting board
  • Saucepan
  • Rice pan
  • Food storage containers or an ice cube form

What are the nutritional benefits of quinoa?

Quinoa was called the “mother grain”. Quinoa is packed with nutrients and fiber. It is a great source of protein for the small ones and helps in their growth. It contains all nine vital amino acids. It contains all nine vital amino acids. Its fiber content makes it great for the sensitive digestive organs of the babies and results in the smooth bowel movement of the babies. Free bowel movement reduces gas and keeps the baby’s digestive system healthy. It is also rich in iron and magnesium which helps in the development of bones and teeth.

Quinoa is hypoallergenic and is full of multivitamins such as riboflavin and thiamine that are vital for the baby’s mental as well as physical development. It is also a rich source of carbohydrates so that babies can play and learn with a sustained source of energy.

We hope this article was helpful to you and questioned all your answers regarding your baby’s diet.