Quorn for my ds???

[pumpkinlover]

Hello everyone - I've been reading Mumsnet for a while now, but this is my first post .

My dh is a veggie and we eat a vegetarian diet most of the time. We eat a lot of meat substitutes - particularly Quorn.
Ds is 7 months and soon I want to start getting him to eat what we eat. But I'm uncomfortable about giving him Quorn. Don't really know what I'm concerned about - because it's artificial I suppose.
Anyone got any info to either put my mind at rest or suggest we should change our diet?

[beansprout]

Don't know the answer but ds is 6.5 months and we are veggie too so will be watching with interest! I'm assuming that as part of a balanced diet, it would be fine and certainly a lot better than meat, given the cr@p that goes into the mass production of a lot of it!!

Welcome to MN!
(If your baby was born in October, you are v welcome to join us on the October post natal strand!)

[triceratops]

I think quorn is fine, ds likes the mince anyway. It does contain egg, but if your ds is fine with egg he will be fine with quorn, better than a cheese string any day! Like everything though moderation is the key, I wouldn't serve it more than twice a week just for variety's sake.

[tarantula]

I think you might want to look into thsi further Im sure Ive seen something on Quorn causing allergies or reactions but its all very vague in my memory. Im sure someone here will be able to tell you more tho

[Magscat]

We are a veggie family too. Can't remember when ds first had quorn but he's nearly 4 now and has had quorn quite often for as long as I can remember. He seems healthy & certainly never has any stomach problems (touch wood).

We even converted his nursery to it as they have to buy food to suit a halal diet.

The only concerns I've heard voiced are:

1. An adult freind who says it always upsets her stomach
   
   
2. A freind who's child has an egg allergy was advised to avoid it because apparently egg is used as a binding agent in many quorn foods. Not sure of the details/accuracy on this but would be worth checking out if egg allergy is an issue.
   
   
   I would introduce it a little at a time and watch for any ill effects. If there are none then away you go!

[tomasinatank]

QUorn is an excellent meat substitute - I am not sure what you mean by 'artificial' as there is nothing really artificial about it at all. It's a mycoprotein fromt the fungi family part of the mushroom family. High in protein, low in fat....

Both my ds's are vegetarian and have had QUorn since weaning. Maybe the home page for Qourn will answer some questions about it for you?
About QUorn

[WigWamBam]

I can give you Marlowe Foods reaction to this, if it helps (they are the makers of Quorn). My dh was working on a production facility there when I was pregnant with dd and asked them what their recommendation would be. They said that they do not recommend it before the age of 2, although occasional use should be OK. It's highly processed, low fat and low fibre, so it's not really suitable for inclusion in the diet in large quantities.

It also contains a lot of egg, which many parents like to avoid until later on.

[WigWamBam]

Sorry, I mean it's HIGH fibre, not low ...

[whimsy]

Agree with wigwambam, When my ds was a baby I contacted them as I was worried, they told me they advise people to leave it until they are at least 2 years old, although the occasional use if ok.

[pumpkinlover]

Blimey! I only left the computer to go & have a shower & I get back to all this. Thanks everyone - some useful stuff. I suppose I meant processed rather than artificial. I think dh is going to have to get used to a little less quorn in his diet.

Beansprout - would love to join the October strand - but haven't seen it - can you direct me?

[beansprout]

Sure Pumpkinlover, we are all hanging out here

[MarsLady]

The DTs have been eating Quorn since they could cope with chewing food, so about 9 or 10 months. DD1 is veggie and so I give some to the DTs as well. No side affects to report. Didn't really occur to me to question (such a bad mummy lol)

[rumplestiltskin]

looked at this myself recently as dd is now 81/2 months and was wondering when to introduce. think it was the vegsoc website that said that it was too high in fibre for littleies. will check and get back.

[rumplestiltskin]

found it, was on vegsoc website. they say that quorn and tvp cannnot be realied on as a main source of protein as it is too filling and baby wouldn't be able to eat enough to get all the protein they need. however doesn't say thay can't have it.

hth.

rumple

[QueenEagle]

My HV cautioned against using it too much before the age of 1 year as it was very filling but I found my ds didn't like it that much anyway. He likes the Quorn nuggets and Quorn sausgaes though and will now eat small amounts of shepherds pie made with Quorn mince

[WigWamBam]

The advice of the manufacturer not to give it before the age of 2 was enough for me, I'm afraid. Call me neurotic if you like, but if the manufacturers say it's not suitable for babies then that's good enough for me!

[QueenEagle]

..sorry I posted that before I had finished!

I think Quorn can give some people wind quite badly so I think small quantities are best to start with. Other good sources of protein, as I'm sure you know, are lentils and pulses which I use in veggie casseroles and my ds eats these no problem.