Quinoa For Babies - When to Introduce, Benefits And Side Effects

The biggest happiness for the parents is to see a healthy and happy baby. Parents are often of the opinion that as babies they need bland food so most of them start the babies with bananas, rice, mashed carrots, etc. But what parents do not know is that babies are ready to experience all types of flavors and not just bland food. One should introduce the baby to all sorts of foods with different flavors and textures. Quinoa for babies is one food that is an excellent source of nutrition and a must-introduce food for babies.

Why Is Quinoa A Great First Food?

Quinoa is one of the nutritious grains that are ideal for the healthy development of the baby. It is an ideal choice due to the following reasons:

Can be digested easily.
An inclusive and balanced protein diet.
Enriched with vitamins and minerals.
Gluten-free and organic.
Non-GMO
Has no added sugars, salts, or preservatives

When To Introduce Quinoa To Babies?

The appropriate age for starting quinoa is when the baby is about 8 -10 months. Some babies can even get used to the taste of it when they are about seven months. However, it is always best to wait till 8 months as the digestive system becomes more mature by then. Another important thing is to consult the doctor before introducing any kind of solids to babies.

Quinoa And Its Nutrition Facts

Quinoa does not fall in the same league as any other cereal grains. It is the seed of green vegetables that looks like spinach and can be cooked more in the form of grains and can replace rice. The seeds of the quinoa are very tiny and resemble a millet. The widely available quinoa is ivory in color, but can even be brown, pink or black.

Nutritional Value Of Quinoa

The table below gives a rough estimate of the various nutrients present in 100 gm of quinoa.

Fat – 6.3 gm

Protein – 16.5 gm

Fiber – 3.8 gm

Carbohydrates – 69 gm

Energy – 399 k.cal

Quinoa is rich in protein and beats most of the other cereals in its protein level. Actually, this superfood provides all nine essential amino acids. It is a good source of antioxidants and minerals as well.

Top 6 Health Benefits Of Quinoa For Babies

Since quinoa is enriched with high nutrient value, it is good for adults as well as babies. It is loaded with fiber, iron, calcium, folate, etc. The baby tends to grow at a faster pace in the second year, so giving a proper diet becomes very important.

A few advantages of adding quinoa to the baby’s food list are as below:

1. Contains Essential Amino Acids

The nutrient value of quinoa is more than any other cereal and it comprises all nine essential amino acids, so it is a complete protein pack.

2. Full Of Vitamins

Quinoa is enriched with vitamins that are crucial for physical as well as mental development. It even offers energy due to the presence of niacin, riboflavin, etc.

3. Great Source of Minerals

Quinoa is an excellent source of iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, sodium and phosphorous, etc. which are needed for the baby for bone development, eyes, and brain development, overall, for inclusive growth.

4. Provides Antioxidants

Quinoa is enriched with antioxidants that can help in preventing DNA damage.

5. Supports Digestion

Quinoa is loaded with fiber. Therefore, it is an excellent laxative. Consumption of quinoa keeps the digestive system functioning properly.

6. Carbohydrate-rich and low in GI

Since it has a good amount of carbohydrates but a low glycemic index (GI), it can result in continuous energy being released which is required by the baby for playing as well as learning.

Are There Any Side Effects Of Quinoa For Babies?

Quinoa is not a known allergen and hence the side effects of this grain for babies is relatively rare. Being gluten-free, this grain is considerably safe for consumption. However, if your baby has celiac disease, you may need to consult a pediatrician before allowing your baby to eat quinoa.

Some of the side effects of quinoa in babies include skin itching, hives, redness, irritation, and swelling around the mouth and in the throat.
Quinoa allergies can cause gastric issues such as stomachache, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, etc.
Babies can also experience respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, etc.

How To Select And Store Quinoa?

Quinoa is no doubt a great choice for nutritional food. It has its own benefits as highlighted above. But we also need to know the right method of selecting quinoa and even the process to store it. Given below are some of the pointers that can help in selecting and storing Quinoa:

Babies should be given quinoa flakes or quinoa flour.
Always check the expiry date on the pack before buying as it is organic and rinsed beforehand.
Monitor its state if not being used.
Quinoa can be ground in powder form either in a processor or a grinder as well.
The quinoa powder can be prepared for smooth-textured baby food.
Quinoa can be stored for months together in a dry and cool place and in a container, which is airtight or even in the refrigerator.
In case of buying pre-milled whole grain, always look for small quantities and consume them before they become rotten.

How To Cook Quinoa For Your Baby?

Quinoa as a highly nutritional choice for babies as well as adults needs proper cooking else all its nutrients can destroy so let’s see the steps that we need to follow, and they are:

It is important to rinse and toast the quinoa before starting to cook them as it cuts down the bitterness.
It is important to thoroughly rinse the quinoa by adding it to a mesh with running water so that the bubbles start disappearing.
By adding the required amount of quinoa to a pan and stirring on medium flame, it becomes brown cutting down the bitterness.
Quinoa also swells just like rice, so one cup of quinoa needs 2-3 cups of water.
The cooked quinoa can be made in a puree form by adding milk or water.
Soaking the quinoa increases the minerals available and even expands the level of antioxidants.

Tips To Add Quinoa To Baby Food

Quinoa is a choice for a nutritional variant, yet its taste is not borne by all. Apart from cooking it by itself or adding with fruits and vegetables, there are a few tips that can be used to add quinoa to baby food and they are as follows:

Add a small stick of cinnamon to the water in which quinoa is being cooked, this gives a unique flavor to it.
Add milk or water in the same ratio as quinoa to prepare a sweet dish.
You can add coconut water or apple to cooked quinoa to make it tastier
You can also add bananas as well as blueberries to make to enhance the taste.

Top 3 Tasty And Healthy Quinoa Recipes For Babies

After understanding its method of cooking, let us discuss a few interesting recipes as well. These are ideal for babies who are open to trying something special each time.

1. Quinoa Porridge

Mix ¼ cup quinoa powder with a cup or two of water. Start cooking and stirring till it is smooth and has no lumps. Switch off the flame once you get the desired consistency. You can even choose to add fruits, nuts, and yogurt to the porridge to add flavor and health.

2. Creamy Quinoa and Bananas

Mix 1 cup cooked quinoa, ½ mashed banana, and ½ cup plain whole milk yogurt in a pan over medium flame for about 10 minutes. Once mixed well, remove from the flame. Get it to room temperature and serve.

3. Creamy Quinoa Breakfast

Peel, core and dice and apple and a pear. Steam and puree with 1 drop of vanilla in a blending machine. Cover and cook on low flame for 5 minutes. Add ½ cup yogurt to the puree. Finally, add ¼ cup of cooked quinoa and stir. Serve warm

Remember to familiarize the baby with the taste of quinoa in the early stages of life to be able to enjoy it later and make healthy and mindful choices that are good for healthy development. The key is “sooner the better”. The healthier choices or different tastes the baby experiences in the early years of life, the better it is for them and they end up with healthy habits which impact their life positively.

FAQ’s

1. Is Quinoa Hard to Digest For Babies?

No. On the contrary, quinoa is quite easy to digest and is nutrient-dense as well. For this reason, it is highly recommended as one of baby’s first foods.

2. Is Quinoa High Allergy For Babies?

No. Quinoa is not a known allergen and the risk of reactions and side effects is minimal. You can safely give it to your baby as long as your baby does not have celiac disease.

3. Can Quinoa Cause Loose Stools in Babies?

Quinoa is high in fiber and an excellent way to regulate bowel movement in babies suffering from constipation. This grain doesn’t cause loose stools unless babies consume them in excess.

Quinoa For Babies – When to Introduce, Benefits And Side Effects