Allergen note
While not a common allergen, introduce fava beans in small amounts, thoroughly cooked and mashed to avoid both potential sensitivity and a risk of favism in susceptible individuals.
How to serve
For infants 8+ months, mash cooked, peeled fava beans into a smooth paste (1-2 tbsp). For toddlers, serve as a finger food by smashing or quartering them to prevent choking.
Preparation
Always peel the outer skin off cooked fava beans and purée or mash them thoroughly to prevent choking, ensuring they are completely soft and cool before serving.
Texture and choking risk
Due to their firm, round shape, fava beans are a choking hazard; always mash or puree them thoroughly for safe consumption and supervise children while they eat.
Starting ages are typical guidance for healthy, full-term babies who show signs of readiness. Your paediatrician may advise differently, especially where there is a family history of allergy.
Track first tastes and reactions
Log when your child first tries fava beans, note any reaction and see it in the allergen tracker.
More Legumes, nuts & seeds
🥜 Almonds unroasted
Low – not a common allergen; introduce around 6 mo if developmentally ready.
🥜 Beans (black / kidney)
Low
🥜 butternut squash
Butternut squash is generally well-tolerated and a low-allergen food; introduce it like any new food by offeri…
🥜 canned borlotti beans
Borlotti beans are generally well-tolerated and not a common allergen. Introduce them mashed and in small amou…
🥜 canned chickpeas
Canned chickpeas are generally well-tolerated, but introduce them separately from common allergens like tahini…
🥜 canned kidney beans
Canned kidney beans are generally well-tolerated, but ensure they are thoroughly rinsed and mashed to a safe t…