Protein, Fiber, Potassium, Iron, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Vitamins!
No Flour, No Added Sugar
**I am not a doctor or nutritionist. Talk to your doctor about your child's diet, especially if you have not offered flaxseed before. You can discuss the pros and the cons/ amounts with your doctor.
Years ago, when D1 was about one year old I saw a 3 ingredient baby pancake recipe on Pinterest. In the years since, my husband and I have developed our own recipe with just 5 ingredients, but packed with nutrition. (I usually research nutrition and recipes, while he does most of the cooking.)
These are the healthy superfood pancakes Baby Dragon (21 months old) loves for breakfast, maybe 2-3 days a week. This recipe makes about 4 pancakes, usually Baby Dragon will eat 3-4. Double the recipe to freeze some for weekdays.
Ingredients:
Step 1: Mash up one large organic banana with a fork. We buy organic bananas at Costco and they really aren't much more expensive. I think I get 3 pounds for $2.23, and I buy 6 pounds a week. But, don't worry if you can't get organic, or its not in your budget. Bananas aren't part of the "dirty dozen" and you don't eat the peel. If you only have a small banana, just use a little less oatmeal to keep the proportions. Everyone knows bananas are healthy because they are a source of potassium and vitamins, but to find out more health benefits of bananas read here.
Step 2: Add one egg. We try to buy cage free whenever possible. Use the fork to mix it in. Eggs are excellent for kids and toddlers. Iron and protein! My kids don't really like eggs on their own (darn it) and they also don't eat a lot of meat. So, adding eggs in pancakes is important to us. Check with your doctor for what age it is safe to give your baby eggs.
Step 3: Add a sprinkle or two of cinnamon and mix. It should look like this. (You can switch the fork out for a spoon now.) Cinnamon adds flavor but did you know its also healthy (as long as you don't really over do it!) Read more here.
Step 4: Add the Superfoods, Oatmeal and Flaxseed.
*Mix in 1/3 of a cup of baby oatmeal. We use Earth's Best Organic Oatmeal, but any should work the same. If you have time for it, you can make your own. The best price I've seen for this oatmeal is at Walmart, where its a little under $3 a box. At my local grocery store it's a little over $3 a box. Baby oatmeal provides, protein, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and is iron-fortified. Read more here.
*Mix in 1/4 tablespoon of organic ground flaxseed. Flaxseed has many great health benefits from Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and protein. We use ground because whole flaxseeds may not allow for maximum absorption. Also, my kids tend to not like to see seeds in their food. There may be some situations where you may not want to consume flaxseed such as if you have a bleeding disorder, it causes you gas or intestinal upset, or interferes with a medication you are taking. Talk to your doctor and read more about it here and here.
Step 5: Cook as you would any other pancake, except at a bit lower heat.
And YUM! Baby is ready to eat as soon as they cool! For parenting.com articles which name bananas, eggs, oats, and flaxseed as superfoods for kids click here and here.