For any new parent, there is a big struggle regarding the diet of their babies and this concern regarding the baby food is understandable – we listen to many advice, many people that are around us think that they know best and it can be frustrating.

There are so many questions that we ask ourselves, but also we wonder, are we doing the right things at the right time- for example, can we give our baby a certain food at the certain age?

We, as parents often wonder what we can give to our babies, when is the right time to give them a certain food, etc. Having said this, this does not mean that we do not know what we are doing, but sometimes information that we are getting may be confusing.

Now, all of this may be an even bigger issue, for those parents who decide to give their babies vegan food. Then things may get even more complicated, but with the right information, you can do it, and the bottom line is that all of us know what is good for our babies.

The infant diet model on a vegetarian or vegan diet is not much different from the usual one. In any case, breastfeeding is the recommended diet in the first months of its life, and it is the best food that any mother could give to her baby. Breast milk is essential for the growth and development of a baby, including supporting the immune system, protecting against infections and reducing the risk of allergies.

Breastfeeding also reduces the incidence of gastrointestinal, respiratory and other diseases and helps develop mother-baby intimacy.

Otherwise, the mother’s milk on a vegetarian or vegan diet is nutritionally adequate for her baby. This means that if the mother is well nourished, the baby advances normally. It has been observed that mothers on the vegetarian diet breastfeed their children longer, which can never be a bad thing.

From where to start?

Some experts claim that babies get all the nutrients they need from breast milk, and that food should be a means of learning about new textures and fun even (it should not be the food that is the obligation and something that should scare the children), while others claim that baby foods must be varied and nutritionally rich from the start.

Baby food has to be a fun experience, we agree, in some ways because babies are stressed so that they no longer feed exclusively on breast milk, and be sure to take this into account. Children should be encouraged to play with food in some way, but it must be healthy – we know that this is not always possible, but we should all strive to it; to give our children the healthiest food we can find, vegan or no vegan.

The first solid food that infants could are grains (of some kind) because they are a great source of fiber, they have an amazing amount of vitamin B complex and iron. In this sense, the first things that you could give to your baby are corn and rice, because they do not have any gluten, and the risk of allergies is minimal.

There are so many recipes that you can find to make, and of course, on the market, you can find so many good quality, organic and vegan choices for these first months of eating “solid food”. The choice is yours, as usual, and there is no wrong decision, every parent instinctively knows what is best of his or her baby, and when there are doubts, you can ask your pediatrician.

As times passes, slowly you can give your baby some other grain, and the quantities are, of course, taken from quite small up to, say, 120 ml per day. The baby feeds on a teaspoon, and this should always be your measurement when you are giving your baby food.

In this piece, we are recommending banana muffins (vegan versions, those where the bananas are the main element, and others are added for texture and flavor) for babies, and we are looking into ingredients and their benefit for the babies health.

Now, bananas are considered the perfect nutrition food that will give a human whatever they need, just like enough are potassium and fiber. They have Vitamins B6, C and B2.

They are super foods, and in this sense, they are known for so many beneficial aspects for human and also infant health – they lower the blood pressure.

Bananas contain three natural sugars – fructose, sucrose, and glucose that are in the best way combined with fiber. Banana provides instant, stimulating, and nutritious amounts of energy. Studies have shown that consuming only two bananas a day provides energy sufficient for 90 minutes of hard work. It is no wonder, then, that the world’s leading athletes consider banana to be the number one fruit.

Of course, it is a great source of the same nutrition or babies, and when they are made into delicious muffins, we believe that no baby could resist such a healthy sweet.

When can I introduce bananas to my baby’s diet?

You can give bananas and in addition to other ingredients of your choice that are vegan when a baby turns four months.

They are very practical to combine with other food, and they just need to be peeled – it is recommended that, if you can, give your baby organic bananas.

For vegans we must say one more important thing – you need to plan your baby food so well that it does not lack anything – it is necessary to plan the vegan diet very carefully, that is, the food must contain all the necessary nutrients: proteins from soybeans and legumes, calcium from green leafy vegetables, soya beans, beans, tofu, cereals etc.

Banana Muffins for Baby -Recipes

Here is one recipe for all of you who would want to make something that is extremely healthy, good for your baby, and of course, vegan.

This is one delicious candy for your little one! Since it contains no sugar and other unhealthy ingredients, this muffin is an ideal meal for boys and girls over twelve months old. Here’s how to prepare it.

Recipe number 1

Ingredients that you need (for approximately 9-10 muffins):

Three ripe bananas

1/4 cup maple syrup (or agave, or optional)

1/4 cup coconut oil

One teaspoon of vanilla sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

One tablespoon of baking soda

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup oatmeal

Half a cup of grated coconut

One teaspoon chia seeds (optional)

Preparation:

Preheat your oven to 190C. Cut the bananas into pieces (1-2cm) and add maple syrup or another sweetener of your choice (as a last resort, you can add sugar, but it is not as healthy as some other choices, and we will remind you once again that some vegans do have issues with the process of making sugar).

Then, the next step is to mix with a mixer, add some baking soda and salt and mix for another minute or two.

Later, when you did that you can add to the mixture some sugar from vanilla if you like and chia seeds (if you have none, never mind, it is optional), coconut oil and continue stirring to mix it well, and you can stop when the entire mixture is incorporated.

Then add the flour and oatmeal and mix with a spoon.

Finally, add the coconut. Divide into about ten muffins (medium size muffins, but you can put it in any mould you want and then cut it) and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes.

Serve them warm or cold, whatever you prefer, they are amazing both ways, even after a few days. You can keep them stored for a few days.

Here is one more recipe for you.

Recipe number 2

Ingredients that you need for around 12 smaller muffins.

– Two ripe bananas (about 3/4 cup)

– 1/2 teaspoon salt

– 1/3 cup of melted coconut oil

– One and a half cups of wheat flour (or other gluten-free flour)

– One teaspoon of baking powder

– 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

– One teaspoon ground cinnamon (you can avoid this step)

– 3/4 cup almond milk

– One teaspoon of vanilla extract

– Half a cup of chopped nuts (whatever kind you would like to eat, or you can miss this step because of your baby; it can become allergic to it, so it is better to avoid this step). It is very important to say that in this recipe also goes nutmeg but you should avoid it when you are making this for your baby.

– One cup of blueberries – we must say that they are very healthy for adults and for babies also, they contain antioxidants, and they are delicious and easy to use. It does not have a lot of calories, but it is such powerful medicine for so many conditions.

Preparation

Lightly grease muffin moulds (or use paper moulds) with a little coconut oil that you have melted previously.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, crushed bananas, almond milk, coconut oil and vanilla extract. Add blueberries and mix well. Pour the mixture into the moulds.

Then, bake banana muffins in the oven at 180 ° C for about 20 – 25 minutes. Enjoy.

Summary

To sum up this story, first, we must speak to those who think that giving kids a vegan food – we understand the controversy over whether it is safe and healthy for children to be vegan or vegetarian.

One of the main arguments of those who do not support this diet for kids claim that children need vitamins, especially B12, which can be brought exclusively through food products of animal origin.

The main thing is when this recipe is in question is that bananas do have this vitamin, besides all others, and combined with other, healthy and vegan ingredients you can have all that it takes for a healthy diet.

So a banana is really a natural cure for many ailments. If you compare it to apple, it has four times as much protein, twice as many carbohydrates, three times as much phosphorus, five times as much vitamin A and iron, and twice as many other minerals and vitamins. It is rich in potassium and is one of the most delicious fruits.

In the examples (recipes) that we gave to you, we have shown you that you can make baby food, muffins that are amazing for adults also, because they have other, highly healthy and nutritive value, like blueberries that we have mentioned in the second recipe.

If you are vegan and you are preparing for your baby only healthy, homemade and vegan, this is your choice.