Quinoa is a nutritious grain rich in several nutrients that can promote health. If your baby is already eating solids like infant cereal, fruit and/or vegetable mash or puree, you might want to try different quinoa recipes for babies. Experts suggest that giving babies healthy foods like quinoa and millet from an early age exposes them to varying tastes and textures. Besides, it can help them develop long-lasting and healthy eating habits. But what is the right age to feed quinoa to babies? Knowing this is vital to introduce quinoa to babies in age-appropriate ways to help babies reap this whole grain’s benefits to the fullest. Keep reading as we tell you more about the right age when babies can eat quinoa, its possible health benefits, and some tasty quinoa recipes you can try for your little one.
When To Introduce Quinoa To Babies?
You may introduce quinoa between eight and ten months. Babies can tolerate it even before eight months of age, but it is good to wait until their digestive system improves. Consult your pediatrician before introducing any solids to your little one. Generalities may or may not apply to your baby.
Quinoa And Its Nutrition Facts
The ancient Incas called quinoa “the mother grain”. It is harvested and prepared in a process similar to that of rice and other grains but it does not technically belong to the category of cereal grains. It is the seed of a green vegetable that resembles spinach. Quinoa is a small grain light in color and round in shape, similar in appearance to sesame seeds. It is available in colors such as purple, red, and black (1). It can be cooked like grain to replace rice and couscous, or it can be used as ground quinoa flour.
Nutritional value of quinoa (cooked)
Source: USDA (2)
Health Benefits Of Quinoa For Babies
Quinoa contains fiber, calcium, folate, iron, etc., (3). Here are a few benefits of adding quinoa to your baby’s diet:
1. A complete source of protein
The seed is considered a complete protein containing the right amount of essential amino acids. The content of these nutrients is higher in quinoa than in common cereals. Quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids and thus is a complete protein source.
2. Vitamins required for healthy development
Quinoa is full of vitamins. It contains a cluster of B group vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, and thiamine. All these are important for the production and release of energy, and support the baby’s physical and mental development.
3. Minerals for growth
Quinoa is a good source of calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, etc. Your baby needs all these minerals to grow: Calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium are crucial for bone growth. Iron aids in the production of hemoglobin. Omega 3, 6, 9 fatty acids are good for the brain and eye development.
4. Antioxidants to work against free radicals
Quinoa contains antioxidants, which can scavenge free radicals and prevent DNA damage (4). It reduces oxidative stress in the body, thus fighting its negative health impacts.
5. Fiber for digestion
The high amount of fiber makes quinoa a good laxative that helps in easy digestion (5). It also prevents excess bloating and constipation.
6. Carbohydrates and low GI
Quinoa is a rich source of carbohydrates and has a lower glycaemic index (GI) than other grains, resulting in a sustained release of energy for the baby to play and learn. If you are impressed with the benefits and want to try quinoa for your baby, then you might want to buy the right type of quinoa.
How To Select And Store Quinoa?
Purchase quinoa flour or quinoa flakes for babies. Go by the expiry date on the packet. You may powder the quinoa in a food processor or a coffee grinder, and use this powder to prepare smooth-textured baby cereal food. You can store quinoa for several months in a cool, dry place. Put it in an airtight container and preferably store it in a refrigerator. Refrigeration prevents the natural oils, which come from the grain, from turning rancid. If you are buying pre-milled whole grain, buy it in small quantities and use it before they get rancid.
How To Cook Quinoa For Your Baby?
Rinse and toast the quinoa before cooking to remove the bitterness and saponins, a bitter compound which plants use as a defense to ward off insects. Toasting enables easier digestion of the seed. However, most quinoa available in the US is pre-rinsed. Rinsing: Take the desired quantity of quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and run water over it until bubbles disappear. Toasting: Heat a frying pan on medium flame and put quinoa in it. Keep stirring until the quinoa turns golden brown. Cooking and pureeing: As quinoa can expand like rice, cook one cup quinoa with two to three cups of water. Make cooked quinoa into a puree using milk or water and serve it to your baby. Soak and/or sprout the quinoa to reduce the phytic acid content, which binds to the minerals and makes them less absorbable. Soaking and sprouting increase the availability of the minerals to the body and also increase the antioxidant levels.
Quinoa Recipes For Babies
These recipes are perfect for babies, who are ready for something different.
1. Quinoa porridge
You will need:
1/4 cup quinoa powder 1 to 2 cups water
How to: Optional: Add fruits, vegetables, or yogurt for flavor.
2. Quinoa and peas
You will need:
3 cups cooked quinoa 1 cup chicken, vegetable or beef stock Peas
How to:
3. Quinoa stir fry
You will need:
1 cup cooked quinoa Soft cooked apples – diced Soft cooked yellow squash – diced Soft cooked sweet potato – diced
How to:
4. Creamy quinoa and bananas
You will need:
1 cup cooked quinoa 1/2 cup plain whole milk yogurt 1/2 banana, mashed
How to:
5. Quinoa fruity feast
You will need:
2oz (1/4 cup) quinoa 4fl oz (1/2 cup) water 1tbsp raisins 1 small apple, peeled, cored and finely diced 1/2 ripe banana, mashed A pinch of cinnamon
How to:
6. Creamy quinoa breakfast
You will need:
1 apple (peeled, cored and diced) 1 ripe pear (peeled, cored and diced) 4fl oz (1/2 cup) natural yogurt 1 drop of vanilla 2oz (1/4 cup) cooked quinoa
How to:
7. Easy quinoa and banana breakfast
You will need:
1/2 ripe banana 4oz (1/2 cup) cooked quinoa 4fl oz (1/2 cup) milk (breast milk, formula or whole milk)
How to:
8. Pretty pink quinoa
You will need:
1 medium beetroot (peeled and diced) 1 apple (peeled and diced) 4oz (1/2 cup) cooked quinoa
How to:
9. Chicken and quinoa patties
You will need:
8oz (1 cup) ground chicken 1/2 sweet potato 1/2 small onion 1 egg yolk (beaten) 1 apple 1 garlic clove 2oz (1/4 cup) cooked quinoa A pinch of dried thyme
How to:
10. Apple cinnamon quinoa bites (for finger foods)
You will need:
1 cup cooked quinoa 1 cup quick oats 1/2tsp nutmeg 3tbsp brown sugar 1/2tsp cinnamon 1tbsp maple syrup 1 cup chopped apples 1tbsp granulated sugar 2 eggs (slightly beaten)
How to:
11. Sweet and savory vegetable quinoa
You will need:
8oz quinoa, cooked in vegetable broth 2tbsp olive oil 2tbsp diced zucchini/ courgette 1tbsp raisins 1tbsp dried apricots (chopped) 1 sweet potato (peeled and diced) 1 spring onion or green onion or scallion (chopped)
How to: Note: This is quite a textured dish, ideal for babies who are already chewing. Soak the dried apricots and raisins in warm water to soften them.
12. Sunrise quinoa
You will need:
1 cups cubed ripe mango 1/4 cup applesauce 1 cups cooked quinoa
How to: Note: Add yogurt to make a creamy pudding. Blend in chicken or pork to make a meal
13. Apple and cheddar quinoa balls
You will need:
1 egg, beaten 1 large apple, grated 200g of cooked quinoa 90g of cheddar Olive oil
How to:
Tips To Make Quinoa Interesting To The Baby
Adding a cinnamon stick to the water while cooking quinoa gives a unique flavor. Make a sweet dish by cooking quinoa in a 50-50 mix of water and milk. To attain a delightful savory flavor, cook quinoa in homemade or low-sodium broth. To make it delicious, add coconut water or apple juice. Add cooked quinoa to the puree of blueberries and banana.
Firstly, rinse thoroughly to remove saponin. When you feed quinoa for the first time, observe for any reactions. Seek medical advice if you notice any classic allergy symptoms. Always introduce foods one at a time so that you can know if your child is allergic to a particular food. Once you are convinced that quinoa is safe for your little one, you may continue to feed it.
Both share similar calorie and macronutrient content. And contribute to your daily vitamin B intake. Quinoa offers more protein and dietary fiber than brown rice and is a better source of magnesium and iron. Brown rice provides you more minerals like selenium and manganese than quinoa.
