Introducing new foods and the grains debate

Lifestyle Parenting, Household Affairs and Cuisine corner
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Right now My 6.5 month old will eat avocados, pears, apples, bananas and I’ve tried giving him mashed up peach as well. He eats it up Mashallah.

I haven’t actually introduced grains yet although I have single grain oatmeal and rice cereal for babies.

Is it necessary for kids to have grains as part of their diet?

Also, what about nuts? How and when did you introduce nuts and items like peanut butter?

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Re: Introducing new foods and the grains debate

Hi Reha! I started giving my daughter home made rice cereal when she was 6 months old. I don't know what the debate is around grains, but I did introduce them to her and she loves eating different types. If anything, I avoided the store bought rice cereal partly because I had heard it is not very nutritious, and partly because my LO never quite liked the taste!

Here's when I introduced different grains:

  1. 6 mos - rice with moong dal (I had ground rice and dal in a 2:1 ratio. Mixed some water to form a paste and then cooked it in boiling water. Added a pinch of cumin powder and ghee. Salt is optional.. I added a tiny bit - this is like khichri in a very basic form)
  2. 7 months - ragi kheer (ragi is supposed to be exteremely nutrient-rich, I used pureed dates instead of sugar), oat porridge
  3. 8+ months - introduced other desi grains like jowar, bajra, amaranth. My mom sent me a mix from India - I used it to make porridge, pancakes etc
  4. 10 months - she now eats soft pieces of (wheat) roti with veggies and ghee

You'll also find lots of recipes for muffins, bread, cakes etc using various grains online. I've been meaning to try ragi muffins for the longest time!

Re. nuts - my ped told us to avoid peanuts till 18 months, especially if there are allergies in the family. Not sure about other nuts.

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Re: Introducing new foods and the grains debate

Ok well, assuming what is being fed is for fun and to get your little one introduced to different foods rather than nutrition, then don't stress and just try different things.

Otherwise (and this is largely my opinion), too much fruit is basically lots of sugar. It's the same principle as for adults - fruit smoothie; not healthy, veg smoothie; healthy. It would be better to give him porridge mixed with some mashed banana or stewed apple. There are some great recipes out there for home made baby porridge from 6 months.

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Re: Introducing new foods and the grains debate

I think I should be slowly taking him towards real food now and not just fruits. He just loves pears and sweet stuff so I feed him thinking at least he'll eat it.

Do you make porridge at home @stoppit? How?

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Re: Introducing new foods and the grains debate

Where do you get the Ragi?

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Re: Introducing new foods and the grains debate

My sister sent it to me rom India. However, I've seen ragi packets in desi stores also.. it may be labeled as "nachni"

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Re: Introducing new foods and the grains debate

So I started him on oatmeal yesterday mixed with some fruit puree I had made for him.

My puree is usually avocado mixed with another fruit like pears, apples or bananas. The avocado usually is pretty tasteless in puree form.

Also, how many of you are feeding your babies solely organic food? Milk? He will start on cow's milk when he turns 1 but I am wondering if its worth it to keep him on a 100% organic diet.

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Re: Introducing new foods and the grains debate

What is Ragi?

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Re: Introducing new foods and the grains debate

Lol not sure.. it’s called finger millet when I tried googling it.

Here is a pudding recipe using ragi. You can tweak the sugar and use regular milk instead of coconut milk to make it baby-friendly

Raagi pudding (Nachni satva) Goan sweet dish recipe, rich in calcium.

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Re: Introducing new foods and the grains debate

Thank you Lucy!!! ^