| Tofu - that's just for vegetarians, | | | | baby once he/she is at least 8 months of |
| right?Wrong.Tofu is a highly nutritious food | | | | age. (It is |
| that, rather than being | | | | |
| | | | important, however, to be aware that soy is |
| seen as just an alternative to meat, should | | | | a potential |
| be included in | | | | |
| | | | allergen. When introducing it to your baby |
| your baby's diet on its own merits!Tofu is | | | | for the very |
| part of the legume family. It is fermented | | | | |
| soymilk | | | | first time, watch carefully for any signs of |
| | | | an allergic |
| curd -- the process by which it is made | | | | |
| compares to the way | | | | reaction. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, |
| | | | stuffy or runny |
| that cheese is made from milk. Tofu is a | | | | |
| rich source of | | | | nose, watery or red eyes and wheezing. |
| | | | Should you ever |
| protein, calcium, iron, fibre and fatty | | | | |
| acids -- key | | | | suspect your baby is allergic to a |
| | | | particular type of food, |
| components for good nutrition.There are two | | | | |
| basic types of tofu -- hard/firm tofu, often | | | | then contact a medical professional |
| | | | immediately).It is very easy to incorporate |
| | | | tofu into your baby's diet |
| used in recipes that needs a consistency | | | | |
| which holds | | | | because it has very little taste of its own. |
| | | | Instead, it |
| together well -- and soft or silken tofu, | | | | |
| generally used for | | | | absorbs the flavors of any foods it comes |
| | | | into contact |
| desserts, smoothies, soups and sauces.Fresh | | | | |
| tofu has a sweet aroma when opened -- any | | | | with.Initially, you could try blending tofu |
| sour odour | | | | with cottage cheese |
| | | | |
| would indicate that it is stale and should | | | | or avocado, for a simple, nutritious meal. |
| not be used for | | | | Soft tofu creamed |
| | | | |
| your baby. It will keep for seven days in | | | | with fruit would make a delicious dessert |
| the refrigerator | | | | for baby. |
| | | | |
| and should be placed in an airtight | | | | Alternatively, tofu can be cut into chunks |
| container of water. It | | | | and served to |
| | | | |
| is, however, essential that the water is | | | | your baby raw, as a healthy finger |
| changed on a daily | | | | food.Taking into account tofu's extensive |
| | | | nutritional properties, |
| basis. Tofu does not freeze particularly | | | | |
| well -- upon | | | | along with its versatility, it would clearly |
| | | | provide a very |
| defrosting it becomes somewhat spongy in | | | | |
| texture and appears | | | | worthwhile boost to most babies' |
| | | | diets.Christine Albury is the author of a |
| discolored.You can introduce this versatile | | | | site providing a range of recipes for baby's |
| and healthy food to your | | | | first year, plus information, tips and advice |
| | | | for successful infant feeding. |