Introducing Infant Gut Health Recipe Ideas created by Annabel Karmel MBE

Introduction

The first 1,000 days are an important time for a baby’s gut health. The gut microbiome is still developing, and feeding choices and food variety in those early years help build strong foundations for digestion, immunity and healthy growth. We know understanding the science can feel overwhelming, so our Infant Gut Health Journey guide was created to turn complex topics like the gut microbiome into clear, practical guidance for parents.

To help you put that guidance into practice with confidence, we’ve partnered with Annabel Karmel, MBE. As one of the UK’s most trusted children’s food experts for over 30 years, she has created three new, simple, and gut-friendly recipes for you to explore with your little one.

Rainbow Veggie Orzo

Annabel’s Rainbow Veggie Orzo is a brilliant boost for baby’s gut to support healthy digestion and immunity. Packed with FIVE veggies!

Age

Suitable from 8 months

Portions

6-8

Prep  time

10 minutes

Cook time

15 minutes

Freezable

Suitable for freezing

Allergens

Milk, wheat

Ingredients

• ½ leek, finely diced
• 1 small carrot, peeled & finely diced
• ½ red pepper, finely diced
• 50g sweetcorn, mashed / flattened
• 50g peas, mashed / flattened
• 100g orzo
• 500ml low-salt veg stock
• 4 tbsp creme fraiche
• 60g Parmesan cheese, grated

Method

1. Add the leek, carrot, red pepper, sweetcorn & orzo to a saucepan.
2. Add the stock and bring to a simmer.
3. Cook over a gentle heat, stirring every few mins, for 10 mins until the orzo is soft and the stock is mostly absorbed.
4. Ad the peas and simmer for a few mins.
5. Stir in the crème fraiche and grated Parmesan.

Gut-friendly first purees

Four fibre-rich puree ideas that help to support your baby’s gut from the start of weaning.

Oats + pear + prune

Age

Suitable from 6 months

Portions

2

Prep  time

5 minutes

Cook time

5 minutes

Freezable

Suitable for freezing

Allergens

Gluten

Ingredients

• 25g fine porridge oats
• 1 pear, peeled, cubed
• 3 dried prunes, chopped
• 100ml water

Method

1. Put pear, prunes & water into a small saucepan and bring to the boil
2. Add the oats, stir & simmer for 5 mins until soft
3. Blend until smooth

Pear + kiwi + banana

Age

Suitable from 6 months

Portions

4

Prep  time

5 minutes

Cook time

N/A

Freezable

Suitable for freezing

Allergens

None

Ingredients

• 1 ripe pear, peeled, cubed
• 2 bananas, sliced
• 1 kiwi, diced

Method

1. Add the ripe pear, banana & kiwi to a bowl
2. Blend until smooth

Yoghurt + blueberries + apple

Age

Suitable from 6 months

Portions

4

Prep  time

5 minutes

Cook time

7 minutes

Freezable

Suitable for freezing

Allergens

Milk

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp full-fat yoghurt
• 50g blueberries
• 2 apples, peeled, sliced

Method

1. Steam the apples for 5 mins until soft
2. Add the blueberries & steam for 2 further mins
3. Blend until smooth using a stick blender
4. Once cooled, add the yoghurt

Sweet potato + peas + leek

Age

Suitable from 6 months

Portions

3

Prep  time

5 minutes

Cook time

15 minutes

Freezable

Suitable for freezing

Allergens

None

Ingredients

• 125g sweet potato, peeled & cubed
• 75g peas
• 1 medium leek, diced
• 150ml low salt veg stock
• 1 tsp olive oil

Method

1. Heat oil in saucepan
2. Add the leek & sweet potato. Sauté for 2 mins
3. Add the stock, cover & simmer for 8 mins
4. Add the peas & cook for 2-3 mins
5. Blend until smooth

Baby Baked Beans

Your baby’s gut needs lots of love. In this healthy take on baked beans, Annabel uses haricot beans, which are rich in fibre and prebiotics to support healthy digestion and immunity. AND they count towards their 5-a-day!

Age

Suitable from 9 months

Portions

6-8

Prep  time

5 minutes

Cook time

20 minutes

Freezable

Suitable for freezing

Allergens

None

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 x 400g tin haricot beans
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 small red pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3 tsp sweet smoked paprika
• 200ml low salt veg stock
• 400g passata
• 2 tbsp tomato puree

Method

1. Heat the oil and sauté the onion & red pepper for 3-4 mins
2. Add the garlic and cook for 30 secs
3. Reduce the heat, add the smoked paprika and stir
4. Add the passata, stock, tomato puree & cook for 10 mins
5. Add the drained haricot beans & simmer for 5 mins. Flatten beans with the back of a fork before offering to your baby

Want to know more about gut health?

Explore all things baby gut health with SMA Nutrition! Our Gut Health Hub is the place for easy-to-follow pregnancy and baby gut health advice, with helpful tips and guidance from our wide range of expert partners, and SMA’s Medical and Scientific Affairs team.