Meatloaf is a classic dish that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It’s super-easy to make, and it’s a great way to get your kids to eat their proteins. In this blog post, we will show you how to make a delicious, nutritious meatloaf using baby-led weaning principles.
Is Meatloaf Healthy?
Most people think of meatloaf as being a very unhealthy dish. This is because it is usually made with ground beef that is high in fat.
However, you can make a healthy meatloaf by using lean ground beef (grass-fed beef) or turkey.
You can also add vegetables such as a carrot or beans to your meatloaf to make it even healthier and make sure your baby is getting her nutrition calories.
The great thing about baby-led weaning is that you can give your baby the foods that you are eating. This means that you can make a healthy meatloaf for the whole family to enjoy.
When Can Babies Eat Meatloaf?
Infants can start eating meatloaf as early as 6 months old, but they have to be able to sit up on their own and hold their heads in place without it bobbing around. They also need to be able to pick food up and get it into their mouths. Nine months is a better age though some people recommend 12 months before introducing meat.
Baby meatloaf should be soft and minced up well with no big chunks of meat that could choke them. You want to make sure you cook the meatloaf thoroughly, so there are no parts that are undercooked because the baby could get food poisoning. The safest way to prepare meatloaf for your baby is to make them their own special meatloaf, just for them.
How to Make Baby Led Weaning Meatloaf
Making baby meatloaf is very easy and it tastes delicious. You simply mix all of the ingredients together in a greased loaf pan or large bowl, use cooking spray and then bake it in the oven. You can use gluten-free bread crumbs (can be substituted with either quick oats or rolled oats), flax egg instead of regular eggs and a small amount of tomato paste.
However, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when you are making meatloaf for baby-led weaning.
First of all, you need to make sure that the baby meatloaf is not too dry. Infants have trouble chewing dry baby food, so it is important to add some moisture to the meatloaf. You can do this by adding some wet ingredients, such as tomato sauce or pureed vegetables.
It is also important to make sure that the meatloaf is not too hard. You don’t want your baby to choke on it, so you will need to add some soft ingredients, such as bread crumbs or oatmeal. The great thing about meatloaf over say steak for babyled weaning, is that you can mix it up to your own mixture preference.
Once you have mixed all of the ingredients together, you will need to bake the meatloaf for about an hour at an internal temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. After it is done baking, you can then let your baby enjoy their delicious, nutritious meal! If you have leftover meatloaf, you can cool them off on a baking sheet, put them in the fridge, and re-heat for future meals.
How to Make Muffin Tin Meatloaf
If you want to make individual servings of meatloaf, you can use a muffin tin instead of a loaf pan. This is a great way to portion out the meatloaf and it also makes it easy for your baby to eat one serving.
To make muffin tin meatloaf, simply follow the instructions above (add a small amount of tomato paste). However, instead of baking the meatloaf in one large greased loaf pan, divide meat mixture and bake it in the muffin pan or tin. You can either use mini muffin tins or regular-sized muffin tins.
Bake the meatloaf for about 25 minutes at a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the meatloaf cool for a few minutes before giving it to your baby.
There are other healthy recipes out there that will help you transform traditional meatloaf into a healthier one.
Can You Substitute Ground Beef With Other Meat When Making Meatloaf for Babies?
Good question! Yes, you can substitute beef with other meat when making meatloaf, but what you use will depend on your child’s age.
If they are under a year old, then stick to ground turkey, chicken, or fish as the beef may be too hard to digest.
As they get older, you can introduce beef or lamb. You can also try experimenting with tofu and lentils (which are high in iron).
If your baby is older than a year, then you can make the meatloaf with any type of meat that you like. Try adding some veggies to it for extra flavor and nutrients, or add a grated apple for an extra treat!
If you don’t want to use meat at all – for example, if you’re vegetarian or just want to cut down on saturated fats – then tofu or lentils also work well in a meatloaf recipe and are very tasty.
What Are Healthy Side Dishes With Meatloaf for Babies?
There are many healthy side dishes that you can serve with cooked meatloaf for little children. Some great recipes include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Steamed veggies
- Macaroni and cheese
- Baked beans
- Fruit salad (we love mixing blueberries, oranges, peaches and strawberries!)
Any of these sides would be a great addition to your baby’s meal. Just make sure to avoid adding any salt, sugar, or other spices to the food. Babies’ digestive systems are still developing and they can not handle these ingredients yet.
Conclusion
Baby-led weaning is a great way to introduce your baby to solid finger food. It is important to remember that the food needs to be soft and easy to chew, as well as moist. You can add veggies or fruits to the meatloaf for extra flavor and nutrients.
When you are choosing side dishes to pair with your regular meatloaf, make sure to avoid any salty, sugary, or spicy foods. Mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and fruit salad are all great options for healthy side dishes. Bon appetite!
This article was written by Sandra Baker – full time writer and the mother of four amazing kids (including twins!)
She’s also a breastfeeding counselor and has spent years helping new parents learn how to care for their children. When she’s not writing or caring for her children, Sandra likes to spend time reading and taking walks with her husband.
