What Kind of Beans Are Good for Babies?

Beans are a healthy source of protein, fiber and B vitamins, and many babies enjoy their taste. Unless you have a family history of bean or legume allergies, all types of beans are safe for your baby. Allergies to beans and legumes can be life-threatening, so always consult your baby's pediatrician before introducing any variety of beans into her diet. Mash the beans with a bit of warm water or combine with fruit or vegetable purees if your baby is just starting out with solid foods. Older babies can eat quartered or halved beans plain. However your baby eats her beans, she will be getting a hefty dose of nutrition.

Black beans are a healthy way to increase your baby's protein and fiber intake, two nutrients essential for proper growth and development. Puree canned black beans with water, breast milk or formula to create a thin consistency. You might also try combining black beans with pureed carrots, peas, apples or bananas to add flavor, vitamins and minerals. Use similar beans, such as fava beans, kidney beans, pinto beans and white beans, to replace black beans to introduce your baby to the flavors of many different kinds of beans.

Garbonzo beans, also called chickpeas, are another bean that supplies your baby with essential nutrients, including the B vitamins she needs for energy production. Puree canned garbonzo beans with a bit of warm water to create a thin consistency. Combine garbonzo bean puree with pureed peas or berries to create new tastes for your baby to try. Add pureed meat, such as chicken or beef, as another combination that will boost your baby's protein intake even more. If your baby feeds herself, cut canned garbonzo beans in halves or quarters and serve as a healthy side dish.

Green beans are a healthy source of fiber, but differ from other types of beans in taste and texture. These beans offer vitamin A and vitamin C that other types of beans don't. Green beans are a common pureed baby food and you can find jars of them in most supermarkets. Offer your baby plain pureed green beans or add them to other purees, such as carrots or chicken. Chopped green beans are an alternative once your baby begins to feed herself.

Do not give your baby whole beans because they can pose a choking hazard. Depending on the size of the bean, cut them into halves or quarters to prevent choking. Choose canned beans that do not contain added salt because your baby shouldn't have too much sodium in her diet. Offer your baby one new type of bean at a time. Wait two or three days between new kinds of beans. If your baby has a reaction to one kind, you will be able to determine which bean was the culprit so that you can avoid a similar reaction in the future. If legume or bean allergies run in your family, speak with your baby's pediatrician before offering her beans.

Article reviewed by Leon Teeboom Last updated on: Jan 30, 2012

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