Purslane
- First taste
- 6 months
- Choking risk
- low
- Common allergen
- no
- Iron
- medium
Not an allergen · high oxalate, keep portions small
When can babies eat purslane?
When can babies have purslane?
Purslane is a leafy green whose leaves and thin stems are eaten. In Turkish cooking it appears with yogurt, in olive oil dishes, soups and salads. Cooked purslane can be offered from about 6 months.
Nutrition
According to a peer-reviewed review, 100 grams of fresh purslane contain about 494 mg of potassium, 68 mg of magnesium and 65 mg of calcium. The leaves also contain alpha-linolenic acid, a plant omega-3 fatty acid. The same review reports that purslane is rich in oxalate.
High in oxalate
The review reported 671 to 869 mg of oxalate per 100 grams of fresh leaves. Case reports describe kidney injury in adults after eating very large amounts of purslane. We found no safe upper limit for babies. Keep portions small and do not serve large amounts every day.
How do you prepare purslane for babies?
Preparation basics
Separate the leaves and thin stems from the thick stalk and rinse them well under running water. The FDA advises rinsing raw produce under running water. If the purslane was foraged, be sure it came from a clean place. Cook in a little water until soft and chop finely.
Serving with yogurt
One study reported that adding yogurt to raw leaves lowered the soluble oxalate share from 53.0 percent to 10.7 percent. This finding applies to raw leaves. Remember that yogurt is a dairy allergen. If dairy has already been introduced, serving purslane with yogurt is an option.
Preparation by age
The same food is served differently at each age. What matters is how your baby sits, grasps and chews, more than the calendar.
Prep time: 15 min
6 months
6 months · How to prepare as a puréemash
Cut: Finely chopped
Separate the leaves and thin stems from the thick stalk and rinse well in plenty of water. Cook in a little water until soft, chop finely and stir into yogurt or bulgur porridge. Because it is a leafy green, serve it right after cooking rather than letting it sit.
9 months
9 months · How to servestrip
Cut: Finely chopped
Chop cooked purslane finely and mix it into egg, bulgur or rice. Purslane with yogurt is suitable at this age if prepared without salt and garlic.
12 months
12 months · How to servestrip
Cut: Finely chopped
Serve purslane cooked, on its own or inside a dish. You can add raw leaves, finely chopped, to a salad. Remove the thick stems.
Is purslane a choking hazard for babies?
Choking risk: low
Cooked purslane is soft and low risk. Thick stems and raw leaves are fibrous and hard to chew. Remove the stems and chop the leaves finely.
Choking risk
Cooked leaves are soft and carry a low choking risk. Thick stems and raw leaves are fibrous and hard to chew. Remove the stems and chop the leaves finely. Offer raw leaves only after 12 months, finely chopped. Stay close to baby during meals.
Is purslane a common allergen?
Allergen status
Purslane is not among the common allergens. When offering it for the first time, serve it on its own and watch baby. If redness around the mouth, vomiting or breathing trouble appears, stop and call a doctor. If you serve it with yogurt, remember the dairy allergen as well.
Key nutrients
Frequently asked questions about purslane
Can I give purslane every day?
Purslane is rich in oxalate and we found no safe upper limit for babies. Offer small portions now and then. Ask your pediatrician about how often.
Can I give purslane raw?
Cooked purslane is suitable from 6 months. After 12 months you can add finely chopped raw leaves to a salad. Remove the thick stems and rinse well.
Does yogurt reduce the oxalate in purslane?
In one study, adding yogurt to raw leaves clearly lowered the soluble oxalate share. This was not separately tested for cooked dishes. If dairy has been introduced, serving it with yogurt is an option.
Is purslane a source of iron?
The sources we opened report potassium, magnesium and calcium in purslane. We found no reliable figure for iron. For iron, lean on foods such as meat, eggs and legumes.
Sources for this page
- Dünya Sağlık Örgütü. (2023). Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6-23 months of age.
- NHS. (n.d.). Preparing food safely for babies.
- CDC, Infant and Toddler Nutrition. (n.d.). Choking Hazards.
- The Scientific World Journal (Uddin ve ark.). (2014). Purslane Weed (Portulaca oleracea): A Prospective Plant Source of Nutrition, Omega-3 Fatty Acid, and Antioxidant Attributes.
- Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. (2009). Oxalate content of purslane leaves and the effect of combining them with yoghurt or coconut products.
- BMC Nephrology. (2023). Purslane-induced oxalate nephropathy: case report and literature review.
- FDA. (n.d.). Fruits, Veggies and Juices (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be).
Guides on iron, allergen introduction, gagging and drinks. Read the starting solids guides
Medical note
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your pediatrician before any feeding decision, especially about allergen introduction and reactions.
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Astro Tasarım Simay Yenice · Türkiye · merhaba@lokmini.com