Mushrooms in Complementary Feeding - When Can a Baby Eat Mushrooms?

As summer gives way to the autumn/winter period, which is less abundant in seasonal vegetables, mushrooms increasingly come to the forefront as an alternative.

Many parents, however, do not really know what to do with this strange ingredient: from when and how can they safely give it to the baby?

Mushroom, the Mysterious Stranger

Before we discuss its culinary uses, it's worth clarifying that mushrooms are not actually plants, nor are they animals, but they form a separate kingdom in the world of living organisms.

Although in old biology classes they were classified as plants, today they are considered a distinct form of life, as their cell structure and metabolism differ significantly from those of plants.

 

Mushroom, the Vitamin Bomb

According to several official opinions, mushrooms are the only “plant-based” source of vitamin D, which in itself makes this peculiar ingredient worth consuming. However, if we add that they are rich in B vitamins and minerals such as selenium, potassium, and iron, and are also excellent antioxidants, we can easily categorize them as a “super food”! Moreover, their carbohydrate content is very low, making them an excellent food for those on a diet!

Introducing Mushrooms: When and How?

Unfortunately, mushrooms are not easily digestible, so their introduction is only recommended after 12 months of age (when the little ones' digestive systems are sufficiently developed), and even then only in small amounts, cooked or steamed - never raw!

Since they can rarely cause allergic reactions, it is important to proceed slowly and gradually with this ingredient in complementary feeding: first offer only 1-2 small spoonfuls to the baby, and only offer again after a few days if no worrying reactions have been observed!

It is important to only give mushrooms from verified sources to the family, as many species are highly toxic! Although it is tempting to pick them ourselves for dinner, I do not recommend this unless we are expert mushroom pickers or have such a person with us on our forest walk.

 

How to Make Mushrooms Appealing to the Family?

Indeed, there is room for improvement in the popularity of mushrooms: they are dangerous, have a strange taste, and a strange texture... No wonder many people are wary of them!

However, for the reasons listed above, it is worth giving them a chance and encouraging other family members to do the same! Prepare them often and in varied ways: they can be a side dish, main course, meat substitute, pizza topping, or we can grind them into the next batch of meatballs! It might be worth trying several varieties, as there are some taste differences among them.

 

One thing is certain: it should not be forced.

Let them often appear on the table, enjoy them with good taste (setting an example for our child) and with a little patience, or luck, sooner or later this dish will make it onto the "favorites" list!