Peas - benefit or harm
Per 100 grams of green peas there are 80 grams of water, 13.3 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of proteins, 0.2 grams of fat and 1.5 grams of other substances. Let's look at the beneficial properties of this legume plant.
- The composition includes B vitamins, as well as ascorbic acid, tocopherol, niacin, beta-carotene.
- High mineral content. Among which magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, copper, fluorine, selenium, zinc, iodine and chromium are of particular importance.
- The presence of plant proteins and essential amino acids.
- Contains starch and antioxidants.
- Hypoallergenic product.
- Affects the work and development of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
- Is an additional source of energy.
But at the same time, there are also bad sides to this product.
- It's hard for kids to digest. The result is flatulence.
- May cause colic attacks.
- You should not eat peas if your baby has been diagnosed with problems with the digestive system or kidneys.
The benefits and deceit of peas
Peas are a very healthy product. It contains a large amount of protein, vitamins and microelements. Among them are ascorbic acid, vitamin B, calcium, iodine, phosphorus, folic acid, fiber and carbohydrates.
Thanks to its rich composition, it has the following beneficial properties:
- stimulating the development of the nervous system and brain;
- positive effect on the circulatory system and prevention of anemia;
- Among other things, peas are a hypoallergenic product; they can be consumed without the risk of a negative reaction from the body.
However, peas, for all their advantages, are an insidious product. What is his cunning?
- Firstly, this is a fairly heavy product, it is slowly digested.
- Secondly, it causes increased formation of gases in the intestines.
- Thirdly, it enhances the effect of products with a laxative or, conversely, a fixative effect, if they are consumed on the same day as this member of the legume family.
Pea soup in children's diet
How long can a child have pea soup?
We are convinced that peas are a healthy product. But do not forget that it is difficult for children. So the question arises, is it possible for a one-year-old child to have pea soup? And here it is impossible to give a definite answer. We can definitely say that such a soup is contraindicated until the age of one; the baby’s body simply cannot cope with such a product. However, most doctors are inclined to believe that pea soup should not be introduced earlier than two years. This is justified by the fact that a one-year-old baby’s digestive system is not yet strong enough and most likely peas will cause flatulence with pain in the child’s tummy.
It is believed that the first soup should have a minimum composition of ingredients and be a dietary dish.
For children starting from 4 years old, you can give a classic version of pea soup to try.
For example, I decided to wait until two years to eat such a dish. But my friend introduced it to her daughter when she was one year old. The girl ate it with such appetite that her friend decided to give it almost every day. Can you guess what she achieved? The child began to have problems with her tummy, she cried, knocked her legs - flatulence and attacks of colic appeared.
The benefits of peas for children's bodies
Many kids love green and yellow peas for their taste and shape. A properly prepared product will not cause negative consequences, but will bring many benefits to the growing body:
- delivers protein of plant origin;
- the dietary composition of peas includes the minimum amount of fat, but a lot of fiber;
- provides a complete amino acid complex;
- contains vitamins (A, B1, B6, C) and microelements (calcium, phosphorus, iodine);
- stimulates brain function;
- has a beneficial effect on the hematopoietic system, which prevents the development of anemia;
- is able to increase the child’s appetite and quickly satiate;
- The antioxidant property of the plant eliminates the likelihood of malignant tumors due to selenium, carotene and fiber.
Peas are a herbaceous plant of the legume family. Its benefits have been studied for a long time. The seeds were first found in western Europe 20 thousand years ago. In China, it is considered a symbol of wealth and fertility, and in Germany and Greece, peas were the food of warriors and athletes.
Harm of boiled peas
Legumes have special properties that are not always favorably tolerated by the body:
- increased gas formation, which can cause abdominal pain;
- the fragile small stomach of an infant has a hard time accepting an undigested product;
- poorly processed peas often provoke upset stools and disruption of intestinal microflora;
- To assimilate legumes, the body intensively secretes enzymes, but the pancreas of babies is not always ready for such work;
- peas cannot be combined with antibiotics and prebiotics - mothers should take this into account when treating their baby.
Do not mix types of legumes throughout the day. The consequences cannot be avoided at any age.
How to introduce into complementary foods
To introduce your child to this soup for the first time, you will need no more than two teaspoons. Next, you will need to monitor the reaction of the baby’s body. If there are no deviations from the side of the digestive system and the skin is clean, you can gradually increase the portion.
As soon as you reach 100 ml of the finished product at a time, this dish can be considered a full meal. And you can feed it to your child during lunch.
But do not forget that peas are still a heavy product, even for an adult body, so you should not abuse them. It is better not to give this soup more than twice a week.
Cooking rules
- For cooking, use only fresh and whole products, without signs of rotting or overripeness.
- Wash and clean the ingredients thoroughly.
- It is best to choose fresh green peas to feed your baby. If it's not in season, then frozen will do.
- The soup must be prepared using vegetable broth.
- You can also use meat broth, but weak. Only lean meats should be cooked in such a broth; after boiling, the water in the pan should be changed. You will get the so-called broth from the second water.
- In order for the peas to cook faster, you can soak them in water in advance. For this you will need 12 hours.
- When preparing soup, you need to cook the vegetables that take longer to cook first, and then the rest.
- For a small child, it is better to grind the soup to a puree.
What should you not add to soup?
- Mushrooms.
- Fatty meats.
- Products that are not yet known to the child.
- Spices and salt (a little salt is allowed).
Peas and pea soup: at what age can they be introduced into the diet?
As the baby grows, it is necessary to introduce additional foods into the diet. They form the perception of taste buds, the enzymatic basis of the intestines.
In our article we will look at the age at which you can give your child pea soup and other dishes made from this legume, and how to do it correctly.
Benefits of peas
- Peas are legumes, which means they are an excellent source of vegetable protein. The composition of the protein is complete and contains the optimal amino acid composition necessary for a growing organism.
- Hypoallergenic product.
- Pea dishes contain a lot of vitamins and microelements #8212; folic acid, calcium, phosphorus, iodine.
- Thanks to the composition of microelements described above, pea dishes stimulate brain function.
- Peas have an effect on the hematopoietic system, which prevents anemia.
- Legumes increase gas formation, and this can cause abdominal pain in the baby.
- The protein in peas is difficult to digest. Quite a lot of energy is spent on it. The work of the enzyme system of the intestines and stomach is quite intense.
Most pediatricians advise giving peas from the age of 1.5 years. But it is better to introduce pea soup from the age of 2, when the baby’s digestive system is ready to digest this product.
The introduction scheme corresponds to the general rules for introducing new dishes.
- We let him eat pea soup before lunch, so that during the day there will be an opportunity to see the baby’s reaction to the new product.
- We start with ½ teaspoon, gradually increasing to 100 ml.
- There is no need to add smoked meats to pea soup until it is ten years old.
- You can add sour cream.
Making soup
Be sure to rinse the peas (about ½ cup) under running water. Next, you need to soak it in cold water for 40-60 minutes. After this, in an enamel bowl, pouring 1.5 liters of water into it, boil the peas.
Cook long enough #8212; 20-30 minutes. The readiness of peas can be determined by the fact that they begin to fall apart, or by tasting them.
Next you can add carrots, onions, and herbs.
Pea porridge
You can give porridge to children. We also soak the peas before cooking. After this, boil, you can pass the finished porridge through a blender. Add ½ teaspoon of vegetable oil.
Pea porridge can also be mixed with vegetables or minced meat, which will only improve its taste.
- Bloating, colic, bowel movements, constipation.
- Hives all over the body.
- Edema.
Children's first introduction to pea soup is very important. After all, peas are a storehouse of nutrients and minerals.
It should also be taken into account that if the baby does not want to eat a new product, then it is better to remove the peas for a while.
Graduated from South State Medical University, internship in pediatrics, residency in pediatric cardiology, for a year she worked at the Lotus Medical Center, Chelyabinsk.
Several thousand years have passed since people appreciated all the benefits of peas. This unique culture in China is considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity, and at one time in Germany it was the basis of the diet of warriors. Are peas good for children? At what age can it be offered to children? What dishes can be prepared from it for the little ones?
Peas are a recognized leader in protein content; among vegetables, they have no equal. Moreover, it contains a complex of essential amino acids that are of particular value to the body: cystine, tryptophan, lysine and others.
In terms of energy value, peas are almost 2 times higher than our beloved potatoes, carrots, beets, cabbage and other crops. It is also famous for containing iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium and other minerals.
Peas contain more nickel than other foods and are also high in iron, aluminum, potassium and calcium.
- high protein content is combined with low calorie content - it is often included in diets aimed at getting rid of excess body weight;
- 100 g of fresh, unheated peas contains the daily requirement of folic acid, it increases the absorption of iron and is important for the full development of the nervous system;
- due to phytosterols, it helps to get rid of excess cholesterol, beta-sitosterol contributes significantly to this;
- thanks to antioxidants, carotene, lutein and some other flavonoids that are present in peas, as well as B vitamins (thiamine, niacin and others), this vegetable removes waste, rids the body of toxins, increases its resistance to diseases, including viral ones;
- 100 g of product contains more than half (67%) of the daily requirement of ascorbic acid, which increases resistance to infections and helps cope with free radicals;
- has a positive effect on brain neurons - this effect is ensured by the vitamin K present in peas;
- has a mild laxative effect - it is characteristic only of fresh sweet peas;
- reduces acidity in the stomach when consumed as a puree;
- strengthens the cardiovascular system due to the special fiber structure and minimal fat content;
- improves skin condition thanks to pyridoxine, which ensures the absorption and production of amino acids;
- reduces the likelihood of the formation of malignant neoplasms - this effect is achieved due to the selenium, carotene and fiber contained in peas.
Pea soup recipe for baby
Diet soup
- 12 hours before cooking, soak fresh peas in water.
- Pour the swollen peas into a pan, fill it with water 2 cm higher
- Cook until fully cooked.
- Prepare the vegetables: one onion and one carrot each.
- Chop the vegetables, add 2 liters of water and cook until tender.
- Combine the cooked ingredients and bring to a boil.
- Grind the soup, cool and give to the baby.
Soup with rice
- Carefully sort and wash two tablespoons of rice cereal.
- Pour the rice into a saucepan and pour 200 ml of boiling water.
- Cook until done.
- We carry out the same steps with four tablespoons of fresh peas.
- When the ingredients are ready, combine them.
- Place on the fire and bring to a boil.
- Grind until smooth.
- If necessary, add a little salt and oil.
Soup with meat
- Pre-boil lean meat - 100 grams.
- Boil 100 grams of green peas.
- We prepare all the necessary vegetables: potatoes, carrots and onions.
- Chop the vegetables into cubes, add two glasses of water, and cook until tender.
- Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil.
- Grind until a homogeneous mass is obtained. If necessary, add salt and oil.
So we looked at this type of complementary food as pea soup. When to start introducing it into a child’s diet is an individual matter for everyone, but I still don’t recommend doing this before the age of one, but rather wait until two. And be sure to prepare a dietary option first and introduce it into your child’s diet with caution. Health to you and your children!
Cooking secrets
- For one-year-old children, preparing soup does not include the addition of spices, herbs and soda. An 8 month old baby will not digest these ingredients. The peas should be boiled until pureed. We use lean meat, and add a pinch of salt to the strained broth.
- The first dishes for one-year-old babies are as dietary as possible, so you should not use frying in cooking. It is not recommended to give porridge and pea soup to a 2-year-old child on an empty stomach. Let this be the second course at lunch.
- Older kids can easily cope with beef ribs broth with herbs and croutons. In this case, peas can be boiled with the addition of soda.
- For a delicious summer soup, fresh legumes can be frozen in advance.
For babies after a year, prepare their first pea dish in a slow cooker. This way the products will boil well. However, not all toddlers digest legumes along with meat. Therefore, it is better to introduce pea dishes separately.
Delight your children with delicious and healthy food just like in kindergarten! Pea soup according to our recipes is easy to prepare at home.
Required Products
To make a tender pea soup for children, peas can be soaked in water in advance. It is better to take a domestic meat breed of chicken. For the recipe we need the following products:
- split peas – 300 g;
- chicken broth (secondary) – 2 l;
- carrots and onions – 1 pc.;
- salt - to taste.
Please note: potatoes are not used for the classic recipe. But if you really want, you can chop 1-2 tubers, while reducing the amount of peas.