3 High protein LUNCH recipes to help your baby sleep through the night

Once your baby is 6 months old introducing protein at lunchtime will help stabilise their blood sugars overnight and help reduce night wake ups. 25-50g of a protein source should be added, these include foods like chicken, turkey, red meats, fish, egg and dairy. Prioritising protein at lunchtime is important as from 6 months of age a baby's protein requirements increase from what breastmilk and formula alone can provide. Protein can also be added to breakfast from this age too. PLEASE NOTE: this recommendation is not at the micro nutrient level of protein you read on a food label - it's 25-50g of a protein source so just add 25-50g of your protein source of choice to their meal.

Here’s 3 quick recipes that will hit the required protein amount:

ANNABEL’S RECIPES

RECIPE 1: Chicken, Carrot & Pea Puree

MAKES: 6 PORTIONS 25g of protein source per serve Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 100g carrot, peeled and sliced 150g chicken thigh fillets, diced 100g broccoli florets 100g peas 200ml unsalted chicken stock or water

Method

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the carrot and chicken and fry for a few seconds. 2. Add the stock, cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Add the broccoli and peas and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Blend until smooth using a stick blender.

RECIPE 2: Beef, Sweet Potato & Prune Puree

MAKES: 3 PORTIONS 33g of protein source per serve Ingredients 125g sweet potato, peeled and diced 100g carrot, peeled and diced 100g minced beef 20g dried prunes  

Method

1. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a saucepan. Add the sweet potato and carrots and fry for a few minutes.
2. Add the minced beef and brown over the heat.
3. When the beef is browned, add the prunes and 125ml of water. Cover and simmer 15 minutes until tender.
4. Blend until smooth using a stick blender.

RECIPE 3; Salmon, Pumpkin & Tomato Puree

MAKES: 2 PORTIONS 25g of protein source per serve Ingredients 125g pumpkin, peeled and diced 2 tomatoes, skinned, quartered and de seeded 50g salmon fillet, cubed 15g peas 50-75ml water

Method

1. Heat 1 tsp of oil in a saucepan. Add the pumpkin and tomato and fry for one minute
2. Add the water
3. Add the salmon, peas and 50ml water. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Add the salmon and peas and a little extra water if necessary and cook for about 3 minutes or until the salmon and peas are cooked.
5. Blend until smooth using a stick blender.

  [embed]https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVIjUiHj2t_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==[/embed]   Beans and legumes are a great source of protein but shouldn’t be offered until closer to 8 months old as they can make babies quite windy. It’s also very important to include iron rich foods from this age group as around 6 months is when your baby’s iron stores start to deplete, so including meat in their diet (in particular lamb) gives your baby the benefits of a protein and iron rich source. Ready-made baby pouches available from supermarkets are a quick and convenient option, however be aware that the amount of protein in them is minimal, and your baby is unlikely getting enough protein if just offered these.