Cream Cheese and Chive Lunch Box For Baby Led Weaning
Table of Contents
Is Cream Cheese The Same As Soft Cheese
Cream cheese and soft cheese are not exactly the same, though they do share some similarities. Cream cheese is a type of fresh, soft cheese that is made by combining cream and milk. It has a smooth, spreadable texture and a mild, tangy flavour.
On the other hand, soft cheese is a broader category that encompasses a variety of fresh, unripened cheeses, including cream cheese, cottage cheese, and ricotta. This cream cheese and chive lunch box for baby led weaning is a great introduction for cream cheese.
Soft cheeses generally have a higher moisture content and a softer, more delicate texture compared to harder, aged cheeses. While cream cheese is a type of soft cheese, not all soft cheeses can be considered cream cheese.
Great Source Of Protein
Cream cheese is a good source of protein due to its dairy content. Protein is essential for the growth and development of babies, providing the building blocks necessary for healthy muscles, tissues, and organs.
For babies from 6 months old, cream cheese can be a great option as it is smooth, soft, and easy to swallow, making it suitable for their developing chewing and swallowing capabilities. Additionally, cream cheese is a good source of calories and nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, which are important for bone development in infants.
It is important to introduce foods like cream cheese to babies in moderation and under the guidance of a healthcare provider, as dairy products can be allergenic for some infants. Always ensure that the cream cheese is pasteurised to reduce the risk of food illnesses.
Easy Finger Food - Lunch Ideas
A cream cheese sandwich is a great finger food for a baby starting from 6 months old due to several reasons:
Soft Texture: Cream cheese is soft and easy to chew for babies who are beginning to explore solid foods. It reduces the risk of choking compared to harder textures.
Nutrient-Rich: Cream cheese is a good source of calcium and protein, essential for the baby's growth and development at this stage.
Versatile: You can spread a thin layer of cream cheese on soft bread, making it easy for tiny fingers to grasp and eat independently.
Flavourful: Cream cheese is mild in taste that can be enjoyed by babies who are transitioning from breastfeeding or formula to solid foods.
Convenient: It is easy lunch to prepare and requires minimal cooking, which is perfect for busy parents. Great for bento boxes and lunch boxes.
How To Keep Fresh At Nursery/School?
To store a cream cheese sandwich for nursery or school, it is best to keep it fresh and safe to eat by following a few simple steps:
Choose the right container: Opt for an airtight lunch box to prevent air exposure which can cause the sandwich to dry out or absorb odours from other foods.
Add insulation: Place the airtight lunch box inside a thermos lunch bag. This additional layer helps to maintain the temperature of the sandwich and keeps it fresh.
Include ice packs: To keep the cream cheese sandwich at a safe temperature, especially if it contains perishable ingredients like dairy or meat, include ice packs in the lunch bag. This helps to prevent bacterial growth and maintains the freshness of the sandwich.
By storing your cream cheese sandwich in an airtight lunch box within a thermos lunch bag with ice packs, you can ensure that it stays fresh and safe to eat when it's time for your little one's meal at nursery or school.This bunny bento box is so fun and packs a punch on vitamins and minerals for your little ones.
Flaxseed For Baby-Led Weaning
Incorporating a small amount of flaxseed into a toddler's diet starting at 6 months old can offer various health benefits. Flaxseed is a rich source of essential nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids and fibre. These nutrients play a crucial role in brain development, immune function, and overall growth and development in young children.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Flaxseed is one of the best plant-based sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for cognitive development and can help support healthy brain function in growing children.
Fibre: Flaxseed is also high in dietary fibre, which can aid in digestion and promote a healthy gut. Fibre is essential for preventing constipation and regulating bowel movements in young children, supporting their digestive health.
When introducing flaxseed to a child's diet, it is crucial to start with a small amount and gradually increase it while monitoring for any potential allergic reactions. Ground flaxseed is easier for young children to digest and can be mixed into various foods like yogurt, porridge, or smoothies.
Overall, incorporating a small amount of flaxseed into a toddler's diet from 6 months old can be a nutritious addition that offers a range of health benefits to support their growth and development.
Using Fresh Herbs For BLW
Using fresh herbs in your cooking can add a burst of flavour and brightness that cannot be matched by dried herbs. Fresh herbs bring a vibrant aroma and taste to your dishes that can elevate the overall experience. While dried herbs are convenient and have a longer shelf life, they may not deliver the same level of freshness and intensity as their fresh counterparts.
When it comes to cooking for a baby, using dried herbs is generally safe as long as they are not allergic to them. However, choosing fresh herbs can still offer a milder and more delicate flavour profile that may be more suitable for a baby's developing palate. Additionally, fresh herbs can provide added nutrients that might be lost during the drying process.
In conclusion, both fresh and dried herbs have their own advantages, and using dried herbs is perfectly fine for cooking for a baby. However, if you have the option, opting for fresh herbs can enhance the flavour and nutritional benefits of your dishes.
Ingredient information
Wholemeal brown bread - I have used whole meal bread for nutritional value, but you can use your bread of choice.
Cream cheese - I have used full fat cream cheese which is pasteurised so ok for little ones from 6 months old. Other great spreads from 6 months old are a smooth peanut butter and a smooth almond butter.
Chives - Cream cheese and chive is such a lovely combination. Fresh chives are so delicious, which is what I have used here. If you have dried chives you can use these too. Alternatively, you can use fresh herbs, such as fresh parsley or fresh dill.
Flaxseed - For some added omega 3 and fibre.
Kiwi - Packed full of vitamin C, My son loves kiwi.
Cheddar cheese - For the added calcium intake for this lunch.
Orange pepper (bell pepper) - Peppers are great for potassium and vitamin A.
Serving suggestion
This bento box is perfect on its own, you could serve with some quartered grapes, or even some full fat Greek yogurt on the side!
For added protein serve with a hard-boiled egg, delicious.
All depends how hungry your little one is at lunchtime!
Other lunch box ideas: Giant cous cous, Egg salad, Pizza pocket or savoury muffins.
Storage instructions
This bento box is so brilliant, and airtight, this bento box can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. It is best to store in an airtight container. It is ok for the lunch to be served at room temperature.
This depends on the best before of your cream cheese of course. If that’s ok then you’re good to go to store this in the fridge in an air-tight container for a hassle free lunch!
You could freeze the sandwich in freezer bags, you will be able to store for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Equipment Used To Help With This Recipe
Airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Recipe | Cream Cheese and Chive Lunch Box For Baby Led Weaning
Makes 1 Bunny Bento
2 slices of bread, I used wholemeal
1 tablespoon full fat cream cheese
2 chive stems, snipped
1 teaspoon flaxseed
1/2 kiwi, cut using a bunny cutter
Mild cheddar cheese, 1 stick sliced
1 slice orange pepper, cut using a bunny cutter
Instructions
Start by making the sandwich by spreading the cream cheese over one side of the bread, sprinkle with the chives and flaxseeds, you can use a little black pepper too if you would like. Place the other slice of bread on top to make the sandwich.
Using a bunny cutter or seasonal cutter of choice, cut 4 bunnies out of the sandwich. Place in the bento box.
Peel the kiwi, and slice into 4 slices. Using the bunny cutter or cutter of choice, cut the bunny shape in one of the pieces.
Slice the orange pepper, and using the bunny cutter or cutter of choice cut a bunny shape.
Add the kiwi to the bento box into a silicone cup if you prefer.
Add the cheese to the bento box alongside the orange pepper bunny.
Hope you and your family enjoy!
Recipe notes
If you wanted to make this recipe gluten free, choose your gluten free bread of choice and you’re good to go! Equally, if you wanted to make this recipe vegan, choose a vegan cream cheese of your choice.
©The Petit Spoon
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