Rosemary for Baby

This delicious and aromatic herb will help expand baby’s taste buds! The woodsy-citrus-like fragrance of rosemary makes it one of the best herbs to cook with, but it has so many other uses and nutritional benefits. Rosemary contains antibacterial and antioxidant rosmarinic acid plus several essential oils that are known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-septic properties! Rosemary even contains compounds that may make it useful for reducing the severity of asthma attacks. Looking to add some flavorful zing to baby’s foods or broaden their palate? Rosemary adds a wonderful flavor to fruit purees, many savory dishes and even sweet baked goods that baby will love!

Highlighted Nutritional Importance of Rosemary

Vitamins

Vitamin A – this vitamin is a great antioxidant and is will help provide baby with vision protection and healthy skin
Vitamin C – a collagen synthesizer (for baby’s skin), this vitamin is required for optimal blood vessels, organs, skin and bones
Folate – otherwise known as Vitamin B9, this vitamin helps the body produce healthy red blood cells and helps support healthy growth and development

Minerals

Calcium – a vital mineral for building strong bones and teeth and promoting nerve and muscle function
Iron – needed for hemoglobin production, which is the protein that carries oxygen through our blood
Manganese – plays a critical antioxidant role in the body and helps baby grow healthy bones

How to Select and Store Rosemary for Baby Food

Choose fresh rosemary over dried whenever possible for the best flavor. Rosemary sprigs should be deep sage green in color and free from yellow or dark spots. Store fresh rosemary in the refrigerator in a damp paper towel or wrapped tightly in its original packaging. Dried rosemary should be kept in a tightly sealed container and will keep fresh for about six months. According to WH Foods, it’s important to purchase organic when buying dried rosemary. This will ensure that the herbs contain no pesticide residue that may decrease their nutritional content. If you can’t find fresh rosemary, don’t worry. The dried, concentrated version provides a bit more of every single vitamin and mineral we highlighted above.

Using spices and herbs in baby’s foods is a great way to introduce them to fun, interesting flavors. When preparing fresh rosemary for baby, quickly rinse and remove the leaves if you plan to use it in a puree. You can also add an entire sprig to season soups or broths for baby.

Recipes with Rosemary