Snow pea
- First taste
- 6 months
- Choking risk
- medium
- Common allergen
- yes
- Iron
- low
Cook it · firm, fibrous pod is 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 snow pea?
Snow peas can be offered from about 6 months once cooked.
How it differs from the snap pea
A snow pea has a flat, thin pod with small peas inside. A snap pea has a round, thick pod with larger peas. Both come from Asia. Their blossoms and young shoots are used in Asian porridges, curries, and stir-fries.
Nutrition
Snow peas supply folate along with B6, C, and K vitamins. These support the nervous system, metabolism, immunity, and blood clotting. Fiber helps digestion and a little iron helps red blood cells. They are also rich in antioxidants.
How do you prepare snow pea for babies?
Cook first. At six months, mince and add to soft foods like porridge. You can also flatten a cooked pod for chewing. The peas inside must be crushed.
At nine months give small pieces, and at one year bite-size raw or cooked pieces. Serve a whole pod once your child is ready, with supervision. Spitting is expected while chewing skills grow.
Portion
Start with a small amount. Baby shows they want more with sounds, pointing, or reaching. Stop when they show they are full.
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
Cook the snow pea and mince it very fine. Fold it into a warm, soft, spoonable food such as rice porridge.
6 months · How to prepare as a chewing podstrip
Cut: Flattened
Flatten a whole cooked pod using a fork or your hand, so the peas inside get crushed. Baby chews it and builds mouth skills. It will not fill the tummy, but it gives texture experience.
9 months
9 months · How to prepare as small piecescube
Cut: Bite sized piece
Cook the pods and cut them into small pieces. Serve alone or in a meal. This size supports baby's pincer grasp.
12 months
12 months · How to prepare as bite-size piecescube
Cut: Bite sized piece
Cut raw or cooked snow peas into bite-size pieces. The fibrous pod is hard to chew, so your child may spit some out.
12 months · How to prepare as a whole podstrip
If your child handles chopped pieces well and you feel at ease, give a whole pod with close watching. If they are not ready, don't worry. It often comes at 18 to 24 months. After 18 months a raw pod can be given under supervision. Spitting may continue while jaw strength grows.
Is snow pea a choking hazard for babies?
Choking risk: medium
The firm, fibrous pod carries some risk. Cook it, then crush or chop the pod.
Snow peas are firm, which brings some choking risk.
Cook it and crush or chop it by age. Give a whole pod only if your child is ready and supervised. Set up a safe eating space and stay beside your baby.
Is snow pea a common allergen?
They are not a common allergen. A 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 snow peas without trouble.
Legumes may cause a reaction in people with birch pollen allergy or oral allergy syndrome. The sign is short-lived mouth itching, tingling, or burning. Cooking lowers this reaction and can remove it.
Give a small amount in the first meals. If all is well, raise it slowly.
Key nutrients
Frequently asked questions about snow pea
Are snow peas and snap peas the same?
No. The pods of snow peas are flat and thin, whereas snap peas have round, thick ones. Their taste and size differ too.
Can I serve raw snow peas?
After one year, raw or cooked bite-size pieces work. Most children are ready for a whole raw pod after 18 months, with supervision.
How much should I serve?
Start small. Most babies of 6 to 9 months eat little solid food at first. Follow your baby's cues.
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.
The Lokmini app
Log snow pea, reactions and your allergen journey in the app.
Open in LokminiLokmini is coming soon to the App Store.
Astro Tasarım Simay Yenice · Türkiye · merhaba@lokmini.com