How to Prepare Tofu for Babies & Teach Them to Eat It
October 2022
Last reviewed: October 2022
Author:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
Coauthors:
Stefanie Kain, B.S. M.Ed
Johane Filemon, MS, RDN, CLT
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Author:
Hyemyung Kim, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
Coauthors:
Stefanie Kain, B.S. M.Ed
Johane Filemon, MS, RDN, CLT
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Tofu is an excellent first food for babies starting to eat. It is a nutrient-dense, protein-rich food and it contains many nutrients that are vital to a baby’s growth.
Ready to introduce your baby to tofu? We have all the information you need! Keep reading to learn why tofu is a great addition to your baby’s diet.
Tofu is made in a process similar to cheese-making, by coagulating soy milk and pressing the curds into solid white blocks varying in degrees of texture from extra firm to silken soft.
The flavor is very mild, so it is very flexible as an ingredient, adapting to the flavors that it is surrounded by.
Why is tofu good for babies?
Tofu is full of nutrients that support a growing baby’s health. Among other things, tofu is considered a complete protein, which means it contains all 9 essential amino acids the body needs to form protein.
The benefits of tofu for babies
Tofu is rich in:
Protein
Iron
Selenium
Copper
Manganese
Phosphorus
Zinc
Depending on the coagulants used during the curdling process, it can also include calcium or magnesium.
The other nutrients like selenium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, calcium and magnesium are vital to thyroid, brain, immune and bone health.
Note: Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin that transfers oxygen to tissues. Considering babies start to deplete their iron stores by 4-6 months of age, it’s important to offer iron-rich foods like tofu.
More benefits of serving tofu to babies
Tofu is also a budget-friendly baby food, so it’s a great, low-cost way to serve up so many important nutrients to your child.
Where to find tofu
Tofu is typically found in the refrigerated produce section of the supermarket. If not there, then it may be found in the dairy section instead.
Not all tofu needs to be refrigerated. Some tofu, like silken tofu, can be vacuum sealed and packaged so that it is shelf-stable.
Is tofu a choking hazard for babies?
Tofu is a low-risk choking food–even firm tofu is low risk. However, as always, it is important to create a safe eating environment by sitting your baby in a high chair with a footrest or another safe place. You should also try avoiding distractions or disruptions when your baby is eating.
Gagging and choking on tofu
Eating is a new skill for babies learning to eat solids. While eating tofu, your baby could gag as they are learning to manage the food. Gagging is the body’s natural protective response to prevent choking.
The symptoms of gagging include:
Coughing
Gurgling
Spitting
Audible gagging noises
If gagging does occur, let your child work through their protective gag while you remain calm. Once it’s cleared, they can continue eating and engaging with the tofu.
Choking, on the other hand, is when an object blocks their trachea. Choking can be life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
The symptoms of choking include:
Silent/quiet struggling
Inability to cough
Inability to or difficulty breathing.
If available to you, we recommend taking an infant CPR class.
Silken tofu can be served straight out of its package for your baby to try. It can also be added to soups or smoothies as it will easily blend in and adopt the flavors of the other ingredients.
To prepare firm tofu for your baby, you can first press the tofu to drain the water from it. Wrap the tofu in a towel or paper towel and place a heavy pot or skillet on top for 20 minutes to allow the water to drain. Pressing the tofu helps keep the texture firm when cooking.
Marinate the tofu however you like, and then try baking, grilling, stir-frying or even air-frying before serving.
How to puree tofu for baby
If you’re interested in serving your baby tofu puree, here’s how to make it.
Choose silken or soft tofu as they will be easiest to blend into a puree, and they can be taken out of the package and used as is, with no need to cook, as long as they are pasteurized.
Blend the silken or soft tofu in a blender or food processor, and then offer it to your baby on a pre-loaded spoon.
You could also just serve a spoonful of the silken tofu as is, considering it is already a smooth texture. Try mixing tofu with other purees like banana or sweet potato puree to add more nutrients to the mixture.
How to prepare tofu for baby-led weaning
If you’re doing baby-led weaning or serving your baby finger foods, follow this method to prepare the tofu for your baby.
Choose firm or extra firm tofu for baby led weaning, as soft or silken tofu will not be grabbable by hand.
While not necessary, pressing the tofu first will help to remove a lot of the moisture and help to retain a firmer, chewier texture. (See above to learn how to press tofu.)
Cut the tofu into thick, finger-length strips about the width of 2 fingers.
Bake, pan-fry or even air-fry the tofu strips.
Once your baby has their pincer grasp, serve the tofu in cubes and let them practice grabbing the pieces with their thumb and index finger.
Feel free to use any herbs or spices to flavor the tofu, since it does not have much flavor on its own.
Yes, tofu is made from soybeans, and soy is one of the major 9 allergens that cause the majority of reactions.
Often, prepared foods with tofu are mixed with other major allergens like egg, sesame, peanut and wheat, so it may be wise to first introduce tofu as is at home.
Soy allergy is more common in babies and young children, but it tends to get outgrown as they get older; 25% of children will outgrow their allergy by age 4 and 69% by age 10.
Soybeans and peanuts are both part of the legume family. While it is rare for someone with a peanut allergy to react to soy, someone with a soy allergy can be more sensitive or allergic to peanuts. One study notes that up to 88% of those with soy allergies can be sensitive to peanuts or have a peanut allergy.
Tofu and FPIES
Furthermore, soy is one of the more common triggers for FPIES, or food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, which is different from a food allergy. A FPIES diagnosis is based on symptoms and responses to elimination diets and oral food challenges.
Symptoms for FPIES typically present themselves within 1 to 4 hours after consumption, and the main symptom tends to be profuse, repetitive vomiting with or without diarrhea. FPIES is a rare food allergy that most often affects infants or young children. Most children will grow out of it by age 3 or 4.
How can you tell if a baby is having an allergic reaction to tofu?
Allergic reactions to soy are typically mild, but it’s important to keep watch.
Common allergen symptoms can include hives, itching, swelling of the lip or tongue, and rashes.
If signs of wheezing, throat tightness, significant swelling of the lip or tongue, difficulty swallowing or trouble breathing are observed, call 911 immediately.
Picky eating can start to show up in infancy. As the parent, there are things you can do to help your child learn to like tofu, prevent picky eating and help support your baby’s development. Here are two activities to try.
1. Model eating tofu to get your baby to eat it
Let your baby join you at the table while you eat to help lay the foundation for eating. This is a good time to expose them to foods common in your home and build positive associations.
If your baby shows interest in your food, offer them a small sample. Use simple, clear language:
“I’m eating tofu today.”
“Tofu for dinner!”
“Sweet and nutty tofu.”
2. Let your baby explore the tofu through food play
Try this “Pinching Tofu” food activity with your baby to help them learn about tofu.
To do the activity, offer your baby tiny pieces of tofu in a small plastic cup, bowl or snack cup with a flexible lid. Allow them time to explore, bring the pieces of tofu to their mouth, pass them back and forth, and push them around.
Encourage your baby to dump and fill the cup as they are able. Invite them to pick up the pieces using a fist grasp or a two-finger pinch. This will help them further develop their pincer grasp.
Cichero, J. A. (2016). Introducing solid foods using baby-led weaning vs. Spoon-feeding: A focus on oral development, nutrient intake and quality of research to bring balance to the debate. Nutrition Bulletin, 41(1), 72–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbu.12191
Akhlaghi M, Ghasemi Nasab M, Riasatian M, Sadeghi F. Soy isoflavones prevent bone resorption and loss, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020;60(14):2327-2341. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2019.1635078. Epub 2019 Jul 10. PMID: 31290343.
Ramdath DD, Padhi EM, Sarfaraz S, Renwick S, Duncan AM. Beyond the Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Soy Protein: A Review of the Effects of Dietary Soy and Its Constituents on Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease. Nutrients. 2017 Mar 24;9(4):324. doi: 10.3390/nu9040324. PMID: 28338639; PMCID: PMC5409663.
Wang Q, Liu X, Ren S. Tofu intake is inversely associated with risk of breast cancer: A meta-analysis of observational studies. PLoS One. 2020 Jan 7;15(1):e0226745. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226745. PMID: 31910211; PMCID: PMC6946133.
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Hyemyung Kim has been a registered and certified dietitian and nutrition support clinician for 10 years. She initially started her career as an inpatient dietitian with the adult population but fell into the role as a neonatal and pediatric dietitian after a co-worker needed to go on maternity leave. This led to her falling in love with this population and working with parents. She continued to progress her career working in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units as the nutrition support dietitian and in the nutrition clinic as the outpatient dietitian. During this time, she also obtained her certification as a certified lactation counselor to promote breastfeeding and provide education and support for mothers.
It was while working as a clinical dietitian that Hyemyung got to meet and talk to parents about their struggles with picky eating, finding her passion for teaching and educating parents on tips to help their children to eat. She is passionate about working with parents on this common but tough issue and finds it rewarding when she hears about progress. Now as a new mom to a 1 year old boy, she is also dealing with selective eating and can empathize how parents feel when they are experiencing this. In her role as the dietitian and weaning specialist, Hyemyung strives to approach each parent with empathy, understanding and compassion as she educates and provides support.
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Tofu is an excellent first food for babies starting to eat. It is a nutrient-dense, protein-rich food and it contains many nutrients that are vital to a baby’s growth.
Ready to introduce your baby to tofu? We have all the information you need! Keep reading to learn why tofu is a great addition to your baby’s diet.
In this article, we will cover:
What tofu is made from
Why tofu is good for babies
Where to find tofu
How to prevent choking on tofu
How to prepare tofu for baby
How to make tofu puree
How to prepare tofu for baby-led weaning?
Allergy information regarding tofu
How to get my baby to like tofu
What is tofu?
Tofu is made in a process similar to cheese-making, by coagulating soy milk and pressing the curds into solid white blocks varying in degrees of texture from extra firm to silken soft.
The flavor is very mild, so it is very flexible as an ingredient, adapting to the flavors that it is surrounded by.
Why is tofu good for babies?
Tofu is full of nutrients that support a growing baby’s health. Among other things, tofu is considered a complete protein, which means it contains all 9 essential amino acids the body needs to form protein.
The benefits of tofu for babies
Tofu is rich in:
Depending on the coagulants used during the curdling process, it can also include calcium or magnesium.
The other nutrients like selenium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, calcium and magnesium are vital to thyroid, brain, immune and bone health.
Note: Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin that transfers oxygen to tissues. Considering babies start to deplete their iron stores by 4-6 months of age, it’s important to offer iron-rich foods like tofu.
More benefits of serving tofu to babies
Tofu is also a budget-friendly baby food, so it’s a great, low-cost way to serve up so many important nutrients to your child.
Where to find tofu
Tofu is typically found in the refrigerated produce section of the supermarket. If not there, then it may be found in the dairy section instead.
Not all tofu needs to be refrigerated. Some tofu, like silken tofu, can be vacuum sealed and packaged so that it is shelf-stable.
Is tofu a choking hazard for babies?
Tofu is a low-risk choking food–even firm tofu is low risk. However, as always, it is important to create a safe eating environment by sitting your baby in a high chair with a footrest or another safe place. You should also try avoiding distractions or disruptions when your baby is eating.
Gagging and choking on tofu
Eating is a new skill for babies learning to eat solids. While eating tofu, your baby could gag as they are learning to manage the food. Gagging is the body’s natural protective response to prevent choking.
The symptoms of gagging include:
If gagging does occur, let your child work through their protective gag while you remain calm. Once it’s cleared, they can continue eating and engaging with the tofu.
Choking, on the other hand, is when an object blocks their trachea. Choking can be life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
The symptoms of choking include:
If available to you, we recommend taking an infant CPR class.
Related: Common Choking Hazards + How to Prevent Choking in Babies
How to safely serve tofu to babies
Silken tofu can be served straight out of its package for your baby to try. It can also be added to soups or smoothies as it will easily blend in and adopt the flavors of the other ingredients.
To prepare firm tofu for your baby, you can first press the tofu to drain the water from it. Wrap the tofu in a towel or paper towel and place a heavy pot or skillet on top for 20 minutes to allow the water to drain. Pressing the tofu helps keep the texture firm when cooking.
Marinate the tofu however you like, and then try baking, grilling, stir-frying or even air-frying before serving.
How to puree tofu for baby
If you’re interested in serving your baby tofu puree, here’s how to make it.
You could also just serve a spoonful of the silken tofu as is, considering it is already a smooth texture. Try mixing tofu with other purees like banana or sweet potato puree to add more nutrients to the mixture.
How to prepare tofu for baby-led weaning
If you’re doing baby-led weaning or serving your baby finger foods, follow this method to prepare the tofu for your baby.
Once your baby has their pincer grasp, serve the tofu in cubes and let them practice grabbing the pieces with their thumb and index finger.
Feel free to use any herbs or spices to flavor the tofu, since it does not have much flavor on its own.
Related: 10 Pincer Grasp Activities for Babies
Is tofu considered an allergen?
Yes, tofu is made from soybeans, and soy is one of the major 9 allergens that cause the majority of reactions.
Often, prepared foods with tofu are mixed with other major allergens like egg, sesame, peanut and wheat, so it may be wise to first introduce tofu as is at home.
Soy allergy is more common in babies and young children, but it tends to get outgrown as they get older; 25% of children will outgrow their allergy by age 4 and 69% by age 10.
Soybeans and peanuts are both part of the legume family. While it is rare for someone with a peanut allergy to react to soy, someone with a soy allergy can be more sensitive or allergic to peanuts. One study notes that up to 88% of those with soy allergies can be sensitive to peanuts or have a peanut allergy.
Tofu and FPIES
Furthermore, soy is one of the more common triggers for FPIES, or food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, which is different from a food allergy. A FPIES diagnosis is based on symptoms and responses to elimination diets and oral food challenges.
Symptoms for FPIES typically present themselves within 1 to 4 hours after consumption, and the main symptom tends to be profuse, repetitive vomiting with or without diarrhea. FPIES is a rare food allergy that most often affects infants or young children. Most children will grow out of it by age 3 or 4.
How can you tell if a baby is having an allergic reaction to tofu?
Allergic reactions to soy are typically mild, but it’s important to keep watch.
Common allergen symptoms can include hives, itching, swelling of the lip or tongue, and rashes.
If signs of wheezing, throat tightness, significant swelling of the lip or tongue, difficulty swallowing or trouble breathing are observed, call 911 immediately.
Related: When Should You Introduce Food Allergens to Your Baby?
How to help your baby learn to like tofu
Picky eating can start to show up in infancy. As the parent, there are things you can do to help your child learn to like tofu, prevent picky eating and help support your baby’s development. Here are two activities to try.
1. Model eating tofu to get your baby to eat it
Let your baby join you at the table while you eat to help lay the foundation for eating. This is a good time to expose them to foods common in your home and build positive associations.
If your baby shows interest in your food, offer them a small sample. Use simple, clear language:
2. Let your baby explore the tofu through food play
Try this “Pinching Tofu” food activity with your baby to help them learn about tofu.
To do the activity, offer your baby tiny pieces of tofu in a small plastic cup, bowl or snack cup with a flexible lid. Allow them time to explore, bring the pieces of tofu to their mouth, pass them back and forth, and push them around.
Encourage your baby to dump and fill the cup as they are able. Invite them to pick up the pieces using a fist grasp or a two-finger pinch. This will help them further develop their pincer grasp.
Related: Food Play Every Day: 102 Food Activities for Kids
Additional baby nutrition info & tips for starting solids
References
Lally, J. R., & Mangione, P. L. (2017). Caring Relationships: The Heart of Early Brain Development. Young Children, 72(2). https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2017/caring-relationships-heart-early-brain-development
Cichero, J. A. (2016). Introducing solid foods using baby-led weaning vs. Spoon-feeding: A focus on oral development, nutrient intake and quality of research to bring balance to the debate. Nutrition Bulletin, 41(1), 72–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbu.12191
Akhlaghi M, Ghasemi Nasab M, Riasatian M, Sadeghi F. Soy isoflavones prevent bone resorption and loss, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020;60(14):2327-2341. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2019.1635078. Epub 2019 Jul 10. PMID: 31290343.
Food Allergy Research and Education. Soy Allergy. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
https://www.foodallergy.org/living-food-allergies/food-allergy-essentials/common-allergens/soy
Ramdath DD, Padhi EM, Sarfaraz S, Renwick S, Duncan AM. Beyond the Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Soy Protein: A Review of the Effects of Dietary Soy and Its Constituents on Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease. Nutrients. 2017 Mar 24;9(4):324. doi: 10.3390/nu9040324. PMID: 28338639; PMCID: PMC5409663.
Savage JH et al. The natural history of soy allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Mar; 125:683-86. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20226303/.
Wang Q, Liu X, Ren S. Tofu intake is inversely associated with risk of breast cancer: A meta-analysis of observational studies. PLoS One. 2020 Jan 7;15(1):e0226745. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226745. PMID: 31910211; PMCID: PMC6946133.