For any new parent, the first food their baby will have is something that requires great planning and several consultations. While all parents rely mostly on family traditions or doctor's advice it is still a matter of grave importance in most families.
But before you think around obvious options such as boiled, pureed fruits, dal ka pani or sooji there is another superfood that you can consider for that baby's first introduction to solids.
Why Ragi is a superfood
Despite its many benefits ragi is usually regarded as sooji's secondary cousin. But according to pediatricians, ragi has all the nutrients required to make it an ideal first food for babies.
It is rich in protein and mineral content and its regular intake is also known to boost immunity in babies. A breakfast of ragi porridge is an ideal power booster breakfast for kids.
What makes it an ideal first food
The good news is that ragi is also a natural laxative and contrary to popular opinions is easily digestible. The first things mums are most worried about while introducing a new food to babies is how it will affect their digestive systems, until now used to only milk. But ragi qualifies all criterion that make it easy to digest for babies
Keeps them full
Okay as mums you may have also noticed that babies on formula feel full for a longer period of time. And that is the reason why many mums who breastfeed their babies sometimes give their babies formula just before sleeping so that they are full for a longer time.
Ragi serves this purpose well for babies keeps them feeling full as it releases glucose in the bloodstream slowly. Ragi also helps build strong muscles and is a rich source of iron and calcium.
How to make Ragi Porridge
Ingredients
- One cup of water
- 2 tsp ragi powder
- 1 teaspoon ghee
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons powdered jaggery
Method
- Roast ragi powder on tawa. Keep roasting until it changes colour and turns fragrant.
- Heat ghee in a pan. Once it is hot put ragi powder and saute for about 2 minutes
- Add one cup of water followed by milk. Stir it well so it mixes thoroughly
- Add jaggery and let it cool
- Serve after testing the temperature
Watch this video to know more:
Read: Why sabudana (sago) should be your baby's first food
