Celeriac (Celery Root)

Celeriac may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.

Celeriac is a variety of celery that comes from the fertile lands around the Mediterranean Sea, where it was cultivated as a medicinal plant in ancient times. Also known as celery root, juurseller, kereviz, and rotselleri, celeriac’s knobby, bulbous stem has rough, hairy skin that can be peeled away to cook the interior flesh, which has the creamy consistency of a potato. In fact, celeriac is often treated like a potato in its native region: fried, grated, mashed, roasted, or mixed into hearty, savory stews, salads like celerie remoulade, and braises like zeytinyagli kereviz.

Yes. Celeriac has a fair amount of carbohydrates and fiber to feed friendly microbes in the intestines. It is also a good source of B vitamins, notably B6, which fuels baby’s cells to make energy.

★Tip: Store whole, unpeeled celeriac in the refrigerator, where it will keep for several weeks.

Yes. Raw or undercooked celeriac can be firm, which increases choking risk. To minimize the risk, cook celeriac until soft and mash or cut into age-appropriate sizes. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. For more information on choking, visit our sections on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.

No. Allergies to celeriac and celery are uncommon, but are reported to be increasing in prevalence, with reactions ranging from mild to severe. Individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome (also known as pollen food allergy syndrome), particularly those who are allergic to birch and mugwort pollen and/or are sensitive to foods within the Apiaceae family, such as carrot, celery, and fennel, may also be sensitive to celeriac. Other spices that cross-react with celery include aniseed, caraway seed, celery, chervil, coriander, cumin, dill, and parsley. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching, tingling, or burning in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction. Cooking celeriac can help minimize the reaction, but some individuals may still be sensitive to cooked celeriac. Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis with celery has been reported when individuals consumed celery in the 4 hours before exercise, and may also occur with celeriac.

Celeriac is also associated with phytophotodermatitis, a skin condition that can occur after contact with the food. Compounds in celeriac are activated by the sun and cause a pigmented, itchy, and occasionally blistering and painful rash on the skin. Cleansing the skin after contact with celeriac and using sun protection can help to prevent the phytophotodermatitis rash.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity of celeriac for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

Yes. You may have heard that celeriac and other vegetables (like arugula, beets, carrots, lettuce, spinach, and squash to name a few) contain nitrates, naturally-occurring compounds which, if consumed in large amounts, may negatively affect oxygen levels in the blood. Babies younger than 3 months of age and/or those with health concerns may be more susceptible to the effects of nitrates. Organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the European Food Safety Authority view nitrates in vegetables as generally not a concern for most healthy children and that the benefits of eating these vegetables as part of a varied diet typically outweigh the risks of excess nitrate exposure.

To further reduce the risk of illness from nitrates, serve homemade celeriac puree immediately and and do not share leftovers that have been stored for more than a day or two with baby, as nitrates can increase with improper storage.

Yes. Celeriac contains some fiber and water, which help to support healthy gut bacteria, bulk up poop, and hydrate the intestines for healthy digestion and bowel movements. Remember that pooping patterns can vary significantly from baby to baby. If you have concerns about baby’s pooping and digestive function, talk to your pediatric healthcare provider.