Banana

Age of Introduction|  4-5 months 

Ingredients|  4 medium bananas; do not add water 

Yield|  2 c. puree (16 cubes) 

Prep Time|  4-6 minutes 

Cook Time|  No cooking required 

Storage|  Freeze up to 3 months; refrigerator storage not recommended 

Choose|  Bananas can be purchased at different levels of ripening (almost totally green peels, not ripe at all — bright yellow with green near stems or light yellow with speckles, very ripe and ready to eat).  No matter their ripeness, bananas should have no obvious bruises, black spots, or breaks in peel.

Ripen bananas on your countertop at room temperature – usually takes 2-3 days depending on level of ripeness when purchased.  When bananas begin to get brown speckles or a bit darker (not totally black), they are perfect for mashing into puree.  

Prep|  Place peeled ripe bananas into a large bowl and mash with fork until just slightly lumpy, pudding-like consistency.  (If using as baby food, puree bananas in food processor until smooth.  Add water, breast milk, or formula as needed for desired consistency.)  

Serve|  The sequence of baby ages is listed to show the appropriate stages of introduction for foods that pair well with banana puree.  All of the suggestions for 8 months and older are also appropriate for older children and adults.

4-5 months Plain or mix with rice cereal
6-7 months Mix with rice or oat cereal

Combine with mango, pumpkin, or pear puree or applesauce

8 months Mix with rice, oat, or multigrain cereal

Mix with cooked brown rice

Stir into plain whole milk yogurt

Stir in wheat germ

Any suggestions from 6-7 months

9-24 months Mix with mashed raspberries, blackberries, or cherries

Any suggestion from 6-8 months

2 years & older Mix with plain nonfat or lowfat yogurt

Any suggestion from 6-8 months

Related Recipes|  Strawberry Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting – Dark Chocolate Banana Bread – Banana French Toast – Whole Grain Banana Nut Pancakes – Carrot Oat Bran Muffins – Fruit, Yogurt & Granola Parfaits – Fruited Yogurt – Peanut Butter and Jelly Banana Flax Muffins – Peanut Butter Banana Flax Bread – Guilt-Free Chocolate Popsicles (pictured below)

Main Nutrients| Vitamin C – Dietary Fiber – Potassium – Vitamin B6

 

2 thoughts on “Banana”

  1. Pingback: Ninjago birthday party with Strawberry Banana Cupcakes! - Leah Borski Wellness

  2. Pingback: 5 Health Benefits of PUMPKIN! - Leah Borski Wellness

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