question for vegetarian parents

[Anonymous]

at what age did you start feeding DC pieces of veggie hot dogs and hamburgers? DS is nearly 10 months, and I'm concered about protein sources. he does eat dairy (yogurt, cheese), but he can't eat nuts yet. I also don't want to feed him foods he might choke on, so maybe it's too early for hot dogs/burgers.

any advice or suggestions?

[Anonymous]

We started around 10-11 months; really as soon as he could do finger foods.

For hotdogs, just cut them lengthwise and crosswise so that there are no circular pieces to get lodged in the throat. DS doesn't like veggie burgers, but like the dogs.

He also adores eggs - I know that some docs say to wait until 1 year, but we gave them earlier and he did fine. Scrambled with cheese or egg salad.

For other protein sources, beans are a HUGE hit in our house. He can go through 1/2 a can of blackbeans or kidney beans in a sitting. We stay away from garbanzo, since they are harder and spherical, but the others are so soft I just give them to him as is.

[Anonymous]

Refried beans were a favorite (still are) for my son. he also really liked garden burgers--so easy for me--I just cut them into bite-size pieces for him.
The book "Simply Natural Baby Foods" has a recipe for a lentil stew--my son didn't like their recipe (I ate it, but only after dumping in a half jar or salsa), but I'm sure you could do something else with lentils. Quinoa was a big hit for us too.

[Anonymous]

We are a veggie family and DS is a HUGE fan of kidney beans and black beans. HUGE. He eats the black beans like candy, and they are always a huge hit.

But when DS was 10/11 mos, we did not give him veggie dogs/burgers, because of my fear of him choking. Mainly then what I did was puree the kidney/black beans and spoon feed him them, and when he got a number of teeth I let him test out chewing one at a time. In addition to the milk/cheese protein he was getting. Started eggs at 12 mos. He LOVES scrambled eggs; eggs are such a great form of protein, we give to him every other day or every third day. We do give him the veggie dogs now, cut up small like a PP said.

[Anonymous]

i pureed alot of things and mixed them into mashed sweet potatoes. my son wouldn't eat big chunks or beans until later...i think it varies by child. some have a choking reflex for longer.

[Anonymous]

We're not veegetarian, but was also looking for protein sources as teeth were coming in - loved the super porridge from "Super Baby Food" book - basically ground up brown rice or quinoa with a bean or legume. sorry, I'm at work so don't have the proportions. - counted as a full serving of protein, plus a whole grain serving. Mixed with Bmilk, yogurt or whole milk when he was ready for that
Scrambled eggs with frozen spinach and cheese. Canned beans were also a huge it, like previous poster said, he at like candy/cheerios.

[Anonymous]

tofu cut into tiny pieces--age 8 mos
black beans.quinoa-banana- in baby food mill--age 7-8 mos
veggie sausage cut into match stick pieces
hummus-11 mos (ask dr about sesame)
we tried to lay off the dairy as a staple since milk allergies are so common and such a bummer. It is so easy to just give yogurt everyday!
we started with soy and rice yogurt at 7 and 6 mos respectively. dairy yogurt at about 8/9 mos.

[Anonymous]

Why not just do tofu? Either raw chunks or cooked.

Chickpeas and black beans have also been very popular in our house.

[Anonymous]

OP here... thanks so much, everyone!

we actually tried tofu over the weekend, and he just hated it! I've never seen him actually spit out a food. normally he'll just eat something, and if he doesn't like it, he'll refuse any more. but, he spit the tofu out. I know I should give him more of a chance to get used to it, but I thought I'd also post here for suggestions. I'm going to run out and get some black beans!

[Anonymous]

Tofu is not a healthy choice for anyone omnivore or vegetarian.

The soy industry has successfully filled our heads with false claims of health benefits of Tofu and other unfermented soy products. And as far as these meatless products containing tofu as a "hot dog", they are so filled with other junk filler and processing, it makes it just as bad as the Oscar Meyer.
Fermented soy is a whole other thing and is quite healthful. However I implore you to do some research into Tofu. It actually has an enzyme blocker that blocks the absorbtion of protien and women of menopausal age are told to completely remove it from their diet, as it is full of phyto-estrogens (AKA behaves like estrogen).

Check out Tempeh, a much better alternative it you must.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tofu is not a healthy choice for anyone omnivore or vegetarian.

The soy industry has successfully filled our heads with false claims of health benefits of Tofu and other unfermented soy products. And as far as these meatless products containing tofu as a "hot dog", they are so filled with other junk filler and processing, it makes it just as bad as the Oscar Meyer.
Fermented soy is a whole other thing and is quite healthful. However I implore you to do some research into Tofu. It actually has an enzyme blocker that blocks the absorbtion of protien and women of menopausal age are told to completely remove it from their diet, as it is full of phyto-estrogens (AKA behaves like estrogen).

Check out Tempeh, a much better alternative it you must.

I've also read that the broccoli lobby has fooled us into thinking that green veggies are actually good for you. No one should eat that filth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tofu is not a healthy choice for anyone omnivore or vegetarian.

The soy industry has successfully filled our heads with false claims of health benefits of Tofu and other unfermented soy products. And as far as these meatless products containing tofu as a "hot dog", they are so filled with other junk filler and processing, it makes it just as bad as the Oscar Meyer.
Fermented soy is a whole other thing and is quite healthful. However I implore you to do some research into Tofu. It actually has an enzyme blocker that blocks the absorbtion of protien and women of menopausal age are told to completely remove it from their diet, as it is full of phyto-estrogens (AKA behaves like estrogen).

Check out Tempeh, a much better alternative it you must.

I've also read that the broccoli lobby has fooled us into thinking that green veggies are actually good for you. No one should eat that filth.

LOL

[Anonymous]

Ditto PP - LOL

I puree tofu into sweet potatoes with banana.

Also, he LOVES pureed cauliflower w/chick peas and roasted eggplant w/chick peas and parm cheese. YUM! We like it too, with veggies and pita chips.

[Anonymous]

I used to mix tofu in with purreed mac n cheese