Barley is a very versatile and nutritious grain and can be used for any meal of the day. You can make a simple barley cereal for breakfast. A savory stew for lunch or dinner. Or, a sweet dessert when combined with apples.
Try soaking the barley in water before boiling. It will help increase its digestibility by making the nutrients easier for the body to absorb in what is called bio-available. While cooking, keep in mind that a little goes a long way. One cup of uncooked barley will make 3 to 4 cups when cooked.
I started adding barley to my daughter’s meals when she was around the 6-8 month mark, and on the cusp of 4-6 mark. Barley contains gluten so if your family has a history of celiac disease, you should stay away from this. Otherwise, experts recommend introducing gluten to your baby around 6 months of age.
Also, always remember that when feeding any new first foods to your baby, make sure you just feed that one type of food for 3 days straight. If you do not see any signs of allergies or rashes around the mouth or hands after 3 days, then you know your baby is clear of an allergy to that food. It’s always good to consult with your doctor when starting first foods.
Barley Mash
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cooked barley
- 1-2 tbs cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the barley according to the package. (save the rest for a cucumber feta salad for you mom!)
- Add the cooked and cooled barley to Baby Bullet and puree
- Add water until blended to the preferred consistency.
- Enjoy!