Tofu recipes kids love! (2024)

FAQs

Is tofu healthy for children? ›

The short answer is yes, as long as they aren't allergic or intolerant to soy. Tofu is a minimally-processed, healthy food for babies and kids that offers plenty of nutrients. It's a fantastic source of plant-based protein, fiber, and many essential micronutrients including iron, zinc, and calcium.

Sprinkle on some sesame seeds as garnish and serve immediately with some rice or just by itself. The easiest trick to make tofu more exciting and add texture is to coat it in a little cornflour and then pan fry to give it a crispy bite. This is one of my go-tos when I want to add some extra protein to my lunches.

Made of fermented soybeans, tofu has copper and calcium that are important to bone, blood and cell health. Tofu comes in many firmnesses and has very little flavor on its own, making it the perfect ingredient to soak up whatever seasonings your picky eaters love most.

12 months old +: Offer bite-sized cubes of firm or extra-firm tofu and consider introducing trainer chopsticks or a fork to encourage utensil practice. You can also preload a spoon of silken tofu and rest it next to the food for the child to try to pick up.

Contains antinutrients

Like most plant foods, tofu contains several antinutrients. These compounds are naturally found in plant foods and lower your body's ability to absorb nutrients from food ( 6 ).

Similarly, the American Cancer Society sees no dangers from eating soy. "For the vast majority of people, it should be reasonable to incorporate tofu in their daily diet without any issues," Sun said.

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

I gently pat its outside dry, cut it into 1/2-inch cubes. I cook the tofu in 2 tablespoons of oil (I like to use coconut, but vegetable oil or grapeseed oil also work well) over medium-high heat, and salt it. The tofu cooks in a single layer for 4-5 minutes, undisturbed (this is how it gets its lovely, crispy crust).

Beans, peas, nuts, seeds, and soy products are especially high in protein, but it's also found in dairy products, vegetables, breads, and grains.

What is neophobia? ›

Neophobia is the fear of new things. This fear may apply to a variety of new experiences such as trying new foods, friendships, jobs, or destinations. This phobia is a maladaptive coping mechanism and when confronted with new experiences, the fear response exceeds the scope of any realistic threat.

Today, tofu is widely considered an integral part of authentic Chinese cuisine and various other Asian dishes.

Use tofu in children's daily meals

So children eating a lot of tofu may not be good. But to overcome this shortcoming, pediatricians all encourage mothers and caregivers to give children tofu with meat, egg yolks as well as some other complex protein-containing foods when the baby is born.

Both silken and regular tofu can be found in soft, medium, firm, and extra-firm consistencies. They are made with the same ingredients, but they are processed slightly differently and are not interchangeable in a recipe.

Not only will freezing tofu save your plant-based protein from going bad, it's also a way to give the tofu a "meatier" texture. So as soybean curd continues to rise in popularity worldwide, we highly recommend freezing tofu before using it as a plant-based substitute in your stir-fries.

Based on current evidence, the answer is yes. With the known benefits of feeding soy to kids – and minimal evidence of downsides – we recommend regularly incorporating soy foods for kids, like tofu, tempeh, edamame, and soy milk.

The Difference in Carbohydrate Content

If you look at the difference in the nutritional properties of both, it's obvious that tofu is the right choice of food for weight loss. Paneer has its own nutritional content and benefits which cannot be overlooked.

Soy comes from soybeans, which are in the legume family (along with beans, lentils, peas, and peanuts). Some people are allergic to just one type of legume; others are allergic to more than one. Allergy to soy is more common in infants and kids than teens and adults, but can develop at any age.

It is made from dried soybeans that are soaked in water and then crushed and boiled. Soy milk is separated from the solids. The soy milk is poured into molds to allow the carbohydrate-laden whey to drain off. This results in soft cakes of tofu that are cut into squares and stored under water.