Snap pea
- First taste
- 6 months
- Choking risk
- medium
- Common allergen
- yes
- Iron
- low
Cook it · peas inside the pod are a risk
Contains allergens
Each new allergen is offered on its own and watched for two hours. Our allergen introduction guide is available in Turkish for now.
When can babies eat snap pea?
Snap peas can be offered from about 6 months once cooked. The hard peas inside the pod are a choking risk, so pay attention to how you prepare them.
How it differs from the snow pea
A snap pea has a round, thick pod with larger peas inside. A snow pea has a flat, thin pod with small peas. Snap peas taste sweeter, which gives them their name. Both come from Asia. Their blossoms and young shoots appear in Asian porridges, curries, and stir-fries.
Nutrition
Folate is in snap peas, together with vitamin K, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. These support the nervous system, metabolism, immunity, and blood clotting. They hold fiber for digestion and a little iron for red blood cells. They are also rich in antioxidants.
Iron and vitamin C
It does not count as an iron-rich food. Vitamin C helps the body absorb plant iron. Pairing it with beans or lentils supports baby's iron balance.
How do you prepare snap pea for babies?
Pull the string off the edge of each pod. Cook the peas. At six months, mince and stir into soft foods. You can also flatten a cooked pod for chewing.
At nine months, chop the cooked pod into small pieces. At one year, offer raw or cooked bite-size pieces. Wait for your child to be ready for whole pods, which often happens at 18 to 24 months. Spitting while they learn to chew the pod is normal.
Sugar content
Despite the name, the sugar content is insignificant. No need to limit it for sugar.
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 · How to prepare as a puréemash
Cut: Finely chopped
Pull off the string along the pod and cook the pea. Mince it very fine and stir it into rice porridge or another warm, soft food. The pod is fibrous, so the pieces must be tiny.
6 months · How to prepare as a chewing podstrip
Cut: Flattened
Squash a cooked pod using your hand or a fork. The peas inside should be crushed. Baby gnaws on the pod and builds mouth skills. Do not expect them to eat enough to fill up.
9 months
9 months · How to prepare as small piecescube
Cut: Bite sized piece
Cook the pod, then chop it small. It can be served by itself or mixed into a meal. Pieces this size let baby practice the pincer grasp, using the thumb and index finger.
12 months
12 months · How to prepare as bite-size piecescube
Cut: Bite sized piece
Cut raw or cooked peas into bite-size pieces. Your child may spit a lot, since the fibrous pod is hard to chew.
12 months · How to prepare as a whole podstrip
If your child handles chopped pieces well and you feel comfortable, offer a whole pod for biting and chewing practice, with close supervision. If they are not ready, that is fine. It often comes at 18 to 24 months. After 18 months a raw pod can be tried. Crushing the peas inside a little still lowers the risk.
Is snap pea a choking hazard for babies?
Choking risk: medium
The firm, round peas inside the pod are a choking risk. Cook it, remove the string, and crush or chop the pod.
The hard, round peas inside the pod carry a choking risk. The fibrous pod is also tough to chew.
Cook it, remove the string, and crush or chop it by age. Serve a whole raw pod only when your child is ready and supervised. Stay beside your baby while they eat.
Is snap pea a common allergen?
Snap peas rarely cause allergy. Pea allergy has been reported in some people allergic to other legumes, such as chickpeas and lentils. Being allergic to one legume does not mean being allergic to all, though the risk can rise. Most people allergic to peanut or soy eat peas without trouble.
Legumes can affect people with birch pollen allergy or oral allergy syndrome. The sign is short-lived mouth itching, tingling, or burning. A dangerous reaction is unlikely. Cooking lowers the reaction and can remove it.
As with any new food, give a small amount for a few meals. If all is well, raise it slowly.
Key nutrients
Frequently asked questions about snap pea
Is there a lot of sugar in snap peas?
No. Despite the name, the amount is insignificant. Sugar is no reason to hold back.
Are snap peas iron-rich?
No, they give a modest amount. Vitamin C helps absorb plant iron. Try serving them with beans or lentils.
When can a raw pod be served?
After one year, bite-size pieces work. For a whole raw pod, most children are ready at 18 to 24 months. Serve it under supervision.
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.
- Chan ES, Greenhawt MJ, Fleischer DM, Caubet JC. (2019). Managing Cross-Reactivity in Those with Peanut Allergy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2018.11.012
- Bublin M, Breiteneder H. (2014). Cross-Reactivity of Peanut Allergens. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. doi:10.1007/s11882-014-0426-8
- Kashyap RR, Kashyap RS. (2015). Kashyap R.R., Kashyap R.S., Journal of Allergy 2015:543928 (başlık kaynakta silinmiş). Journal of Allergy. doi:10.1155/2015/543928
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