Rhubarb
- First taste
- 6 months
- Choking risk
- medium
- Common allergen
- no
- Iron
- low
Stalks only · cook it · never the leaves
When can babies eat rhubarb?
When can babies have rhubarb?
Rhubarb can be offered once baby is ready for solids, from about 6 months. Only the stalks are eaten. Their sharp astringency, sourness and texture give baby an interesting sensory experience.
No leaves
Rhubarb leaves can be toxic. Use only the stalks and remove the leaves completely.
Nutrition
The stalks provide vitamin K and potassium and are rich in fiber. Their polyphenol content is comparable to leafy greens. Keep portions moderate.
How do you prepare rhubarb for babies?
Preparation basics
Chop the stalks and cook until soft. Cooking lowers the oxalate level. Spoon over soft foods or add to dishes. Color does not matter, green and red stalks taste alike. Pick stalks that are firm and shiny, without soft or dark patches.
Rhubarb often appears in desserts. Food with added sugar is best saved for after the second birthday. Use rhubarb in savory dishes or pair it with naturally sweet fruit.
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.
6 months
6 months · Cook and add to spoonable foodsmash
Use the stalks only and throw away the leaves. Chop the stalks and cook until soft. Spoon over warm porridge, yogurt or homemade cream. The tart taste gives baby a new sensory experience. Serve without added sugar.
9 months
9 months · Cooked pieces in dishescube
Offer cooked rhubarb pieces in savory stews or alongside meat. Add a little to dishes that need a sour note. Pieces should be soft enough to squash between your fingers.
12 months
12 months · Cooked rhubarb with spicescube
Keep pairing cooked, chopped rhubarb stalks with spoonable foods. Cardamom or ginger can soften the sourness. Cook with apple for a compote, without added sugar.
12 months · Thin raw slices (small amounts)slice
Cut: Thin slice
At this age some children can manage raw rhubarb. Slice it paper thin to cut the choking risk. Stay beside your child and keep portions small.
Is rhubarb a choking hazard for babies?
Choking risk: medium
Cooked rhubarb carries a low risk. Raw rhubarb can cause choking. Cook until soft. If serving raw, slice very thin.
Choking risk
Cooked rhubarb rarely causes choking. Raw rhubarb is fibrous and firm and can cause choking. Cook until soft. Stay within arm's reach of your baby during meals.
Is rhubarb a common allergen?
Allergen status
Rhubarb does not rank among the usual allergens, and little is known about allergy to it. There are isolated reports of skin rash (phytodermatitis) after contact with rhubarb or foods and medicines made from it.
Allergy to airborne pollen from plants in the rhubarb family is also possible. It is unlikely to cause trouble after eating cooked rhubarb. Start with a small amount.
Key nutrients
Frequently asked questions about rhubarb
Can rhubarb be given every day?
Rhubarb contains oxalates. Frequent heavy intake may strain the liver, gut and kidneys and lower calcium and iron absorption. Keep it moderate. Ask your doctor if your child has a kidney condition.
Is green rhubarb edible too?
Yes. Both green and red stalks are edible. Color depends on variety and growing conditions. The taste is similar.
Should I sweeten rhubarb?
Serve it without added sugar. Pair it with naturally sweet fruit like apple, or use it in savory dishes.
Sources for this page
- Xiang H, Zuo J, Guo F, Dong D. (2020). What we already know about rhubarb: a comprehensive review. Chinese Medicine. doi:10.1186/s13020-020-00370-6
- Lorenz EC, Michet CJ, Milliner DS, Lieske JC. (2013). Update on Oxalate Crystal Disease. Current Rheumatology Reports. doi:10.1007/s11926-013-0340-4
- Chai W, Liebman M. (2005). Effect of Different Cooking Methods on Vegetable Oxalate Content. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. doi:10.1021/jf048128d
- Barceloux DG. (2009). Rhubarb and Oxalosis (Rheum Species). Disease-a-Month. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2009.03.011
- ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition, Fidler Mis N, Braegger C, Bronsky J, Campoy C, Domellöf M, et al. (2017). Sugar in Infants, Children and Adolescents. ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000001733
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