How to Cook Tofu for Babies?

Fact: Tofu is nutritious.

However, is it good for babies? We know that adults and babies have different nutritional needs. While tofu is generally good for adults, new parents may have some doubts about feeding tofu to their babies. This is why we have decided to take a closer look at the safety of feeding tofu to babies. Find out more about whether you should feed tofu to your baby in the article below.

Nutrients in Tofu

Feeding tofu to babies can help in their overall development. This is because tofu contains some of the key nutrients that are necessary for the healthy growth of children. Here are some of the key nutrients present in tofu:

A. Iron
Iron is one of the most essential minerals needed by children. Iron is also extremely important for brain development at an early age. The lack of iron in babies can hamper their growth and cause them to lose their appetite. The need for iron is rooted in the fact that it is responsible for making hemoglobin, which prevents anemia. In turn, the consumption of iron also helps prevent the development of pale skin, weakness, and weight loss.

Consuming tofu at an early age supports brain development, which also provides positive effects as the babies grow older. This can help them perform better in school. Iron also prevents weakness and higher energy. On top of that, iron also helps in proper concentration and a longer attention span.

B. Protein
Babies get the protein that they need from their mom’s breast milk. However, once they begin to wean and start eating solid food, tofu is one of the safest proteins to consume. This is because tofu is soft and easy to mix into baby food.

One may think that babies don’t need as much protein as adults, but babies actually need more protein. This is because protein is necessary for muscle building and repair. It is also essential for supporting the development and growth of the baby’s tissues and organs.

C. Calcium
Milk, whether formula or from the mother’s breast, is necessary for the baby’s growth. This is because milk is rich in calcium, which helps support the healthy growth of the child’s bones and teeth. Since the baby’s bones and teeth are still developing, it is important for them to consume calcium in any form. This is why tofu is a great introduction to solid food.

Tofu Recipes for Babies

Introducing Tofu to Babies

I began giving my baby tofu when he turned 9 months old. First, I checked to see if he has any allergies to soy. When the results turned to be negative, I allowed him to indulge in plain tofu. I would boil it for a few minutes and let it cool before slicing it up. This would end up being part of his baby food.

When my son turned 10 months old, I would cover our floor with some plastic and I would allow my child to play with the tofu. Since he is just beginning to become oriented with solid food, I let him touch the tofu with his hand.

Some of the tofu would end up on his mouth, but I was told that allowing your kid to touch the food would help improve their senses. I would just supervise him during this activity to ensure that he doesn’t choke.

After this, I began finding ways to incorporate tofu into my baby’s diet and I was surprised at the versatility of tofu. I would sometimes add tofu to pureed baby food or to my baby’s juice or smoothie. There are various ways in which tofu can be added to my son’s diet without compromising on the flavor and texture.

Tofu Recipe for Babies

Vegetable Tofu Soup
• 5 cups chicken stock (See Recipe Below)
• ½ cup tofu, crumbled
• ½ cup carrots, diced
• ¼ cup celery, diced
• ¼ cup broccoli, diced
Recipe:
1. Combine all the ingredients together and boil for 30 minutes.
Chicken Broth Recipe
• 1 kilo Chicken Carcass
• 10 cups water
• 5 Leek roots
• 5 Parsley springs
• 1 cup Carrots
• 2 Yellow Onion, diced
Direction
1. Boil all the ingredients together for 2 hours. Strain liquid after.
Note:
• You can add different types of vegetables. Just make sure that the vegetables are soft enough for your baby to consume. You can also choose to blend the vegetable and make a puree for your child.
• Apart from the chicken broth, you can opt to use vegetable broth or beef broth.
• Make sure to clean the vegetables well before putting it in the pot.
• I only added salt to my son’s diet when he turned 1.

Tofu Recipe for Toddlers

Now that my son is 3 years old, I still try to incorporate tofu in his diet. Here is one fail-proof tofu recipe that my toddler enjoys.
Scrambled Egg with Tofu and Vegetables
Ingredients:
• 4 medium eggs
• ½ cup tofu, pressed and crumbled
• ¼ cup mushroom, diced
• 2 tsp bell pepper, diced
• 2 tsp chopped onion
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• A pinch of salt
Directions:
1. Beat the eggs until smooth. Strain the mixture.
2. Add in the rest of the ingredients.
3. Heat up olive oil in a skillet.
4. Place egg mixture. Wait for the egg mixture to bubble before flipping.
5. Cook the other side for 1-2 minutes. Turn off the flame.
6. Serve with ketchup or a similar dip.