Quinoa is a nutritious grain that is beneficial for children and you can provide new flavors by incorporating it into your child’s diet while improving his or her diet. In this article, we will look at the benefits and properties of quinoa for children, the best time to use it in the children’s diet, and the quinoa recipe for children.
Best time to have quinoa in children’s diet
Half a cup of cooked quinoa has 4 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of fiber. It is also naturally gluten-free, which can be beneficial for families dealing with celiac disease. Considering that the grain is a tonic and full of minerals, it is an ideal choice for use in children’s meal plans.
Quinoa can be served to children. The properties of quinoa encourage mothers to have this plant-based seed in their child’s diet sooner, but it is recommended to wait until your baby reaches 8 to 10 months. Although it’s less likely to cause allergic reactions to quinoa, it’s still recommended to wait until 8 months because it’s difficult for a 6- or 7-month-old baby to digest. By the time your baby is about 8 months old, his digestive system will be strong enough to digest quinoa.
In most cases, doctors recommend quinoa to babies 8 months and older. However, some parents give it to their baby before 8 months of age. Consultation with a nutritionist or pediatrician is highly recommended to know when your baby is ready to take quinoa. When you want to give your child this food, do it over time until his body gets used to this new food.
How to make quinoa taste good?
To make the quinoa taste good and hearty, rinse quinoa well in a dish before starting the baking process. Then give it a taste and taste. You can make it with a little butter or olive oil and plain salt or use pizza sauce, pesto, parmesan cheese, lemon, cheese or any other flavor you like.
Precautions when taking quinoa for children
It’s important to remove the skin of the quinoa you use. Most of the packages you buy should have scaly quinoa. However, there are times when you need to be careful, as quinoa skin is bitter and cannot be eaten.
The quinoa shell has saponins, which makes it very bitter. After buying quinoa and before use, wash it under water. Proper washing will get rid of the bitterness.
Do not use salt when making quinoa for children. Doctors say adding salt to a child is not a requirement.
A baby allergy to quinoa is something you should be careful about. Like other seeds, quinoa can cause allergic reactions in some babies.
Avoid too much salt and sugar when making quinoa recipes for your baby. At this stage, you don’t need artificial sweeteners because they’re not very healthy for your baby.
Sometimes babies get tired of eating one thing every day. You can try different recipes every week so that your baby doesn’t get bored over time. The best thing about quinoa is that you don’t need to follow a command. You can change your meal plan based on what tastes best.
Make the food look attractive. Sometimes the appearance of porridge can make the child reluctant to eat it. So, make it beautiful by serving it in a beautiful bowl as well as using a little fruit.
Protein Supply
Quinoa is one of the few grains or quasi-grains that have a good protein content. Proteins containing essential amino acids are needed for children’s bodies. These essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body and must be sourced from food sources. Quinoa is a plant seed containing all of the essential amino acids in the body and its use for children helps to provide their bodies with essential proteins.
A source of vitamins needed by children
Quinoa is a good source of vitamins such as thiamine (B1), niacin(B3), riboflavin (B2), pantothenic acid (B5), vitamin B-6, folate (B9) and vitamin E. These are some of the essential vitamins for your baby’s development in different areas of the body.
Reduce the bitterness of quinoa
Quinoa can be bitter, even if used after removing saponins, which cause quinoa to be bitter. You probably have this question in mind, how do we get the bitterness of quinoa? A thorough rinse of quinoa helps ensure that this bitterness is completely gone.
Quinoa is cooked like rice and can taste similar to rice or pasta. You can mix cheese or avocado puree or sweet potatoes with it.
Quinoa for children
The nutritional value of quinoa is very high and has many benefits for young children, teenagers and adults. Given that children are of developmental age, quinoa will certainly be beneficial for them. In this section, we want to talk about the properties of quinoa for young and adolescent children.
Your baby’s food intake is very high compared to their size and body weight because they need to grow as soon as possible. Consequently, there will be a high metabolism in their body. This metabolism leads to the production of free radicals. The main concern about free radicals is that they can lead to cell and DNA damage, and the use of antioxidants can counteract this problem.
Prevent Obesity
Research has shown that one of the properties of quinoa for children is to prevent obesity. Regular consumption of this plant seed prevents obesity. Quinoa is a seed that, due to its high nutrients, creates a feeling of fullness in children and prevents them from overeating and overweight.
Contains minerals necessary for growth
Quinoa is also a very good source of minerals. It is rich in essential minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, etc.
These minerals are good for your baby’s overall development, and the calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in it are important for bone growth. Iron is useful for producing hemoglobin, which in turn helps to absorb oxygen. Unlike sodium, which is the main source of high blood pressure, potassium is an excellent electrolyte with minimal side effects.
Supply of antioxidants
Several studies show that quinoa is a good source of antioxidants. These antioxidants are useful for fighting free radicals and reducing oxidative stress in the body.
Improves brain function
Another benefit of quinoa for children is that it helps to strengthen nerve tissue and thus improve brain function because of its magnesium, iron and folic acid in it.
Improves gastrointestinal function and reduces bloating
Children digest food faster than adults, and the high percentage of fiber in quinoa can improve bowel function.
The fiber content in quinoa is very high. This fiber is insoluble and hence promotes free bowel movement. Slow bowel movement reduces bloating, gas and keeps your baby’s digestive system healthy
Effective in bone growth
Calcium and vitamin D are among the things that have a direct impact on the growth of a child’s bones. Quinoa, especially for children whose bodies are not compatible with milk and cheese, is a good option that contains calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium and helps bone growth.
Strengthening the immune system
Complete proteins help the body fight off various infections and diseases. One of the benefits of quinoa for children is that it has a complete protein and contains all nine essential amino acids in the body. As a result, it is effective on strengthening the immune system.
Fighting Free radicals
Free radicals are among the factors that negatively affect the balance of skin and immune system. The factor that protects the body against these free radicals is antioxidants. Quinoa is a plant seed that is rich in antioxidants and thus helps the body fight against free radicals.
Preparing food with quinoa for children
Cooking quinoa on the stove is quick, simple and easy. Since the quinoa grains change from matte white to clearer color after baking, you can visually see when the work is finished and the cooking is done.
Quinoa recipe for children
If we replace quinoa and other grains like rice and pasta in our meal plan, we find that adding some new flavors (such as quinoa seeds) helps children enjoy their food more.
All you need to do is quinoa and water, after cooking you can add other ingredients to it. In this section, we’re going to talk about baby friendly recipes so you can encourage your kids to eat this nutrient-dense seed.
Benefits of quinoa for babies
Having a healthy baby is the beginning of all good things in life. Newborn babies are best fed breast milk for the first six months, after which they can be fed regular foods slowly in the form of puree. One of the most useful foods that parents can try is quinoa. It is a nutrient-rich option that is suitable for kids during their growing years.
One of the benefits of quinoa for babies is that constipation improves the common problem between infants. Other benefits and benefits of quinoa for children are as follows:
Contains antioxidants needed by infant body
No cholesterol and high protein
High fiber and easy to digest
Helps improve growth and immunity
Effective in hair growth and tissue repair
Promoting skin elasticity and helping to have healthy skin
Quinoa and peas
Raw Material:
Cooked quinoa
Cooked chicken or vegetable
Peas
Water
How to make quinoa and peas:
Pour all the ingredients into a saucepan and add as much water to simmer the peas. Remember that quinoa, chicken or vegetables are already boiled.
Keep the flame on a gentle heat and let it boil.
Once it’s ready, you can serve it as well or grind it to puree.
- Fruit and quinoa combination
Raw Materials
Quinoa: 1/4 cup
Water: 1/2 cup
Raisins: 1 tbsp
Mashed bananas
Finely chopped apples
Cinnamon
How to make quinoa with fruit:
Take a pot and boil some water in it.
Add the quinoa and stir well.
Let the created mixture boil well.
Reduce the flame after a few minutes.
Now add the raisin and apples and let it brew for a few more minutes.
Then heat it until the water is absorbed.
Now add the mashed banana as well.
To taste, add a pint of cinnamon.
You can make and serve it in a nutshell.
- Simple recipe baking quinoa
Raw Materials Required:
Quinoa
Water
Preparation Method:
Rinse quinoa in water; soak it in water for 2 hours.
Boil the quinoa in water for 30 minutes and let it cool.
Chop quinoa and water into puree; now it’s ready to serve.
- Quinoa baking recipe with vegetables or meat
Raw Material:
Quinoa
Water
Any vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, carrots or even meat.
The difference between this order and the previous one is that after the quinoa has been prepared, you should boil the vegetables or meat; then cook the quinoa, make water and vegetables or meat pureed.
- Quinoa porridge
Raw Materials
Quinoa flour: 1/4 cup
Water: 1 to 2 cups
How to make quinoa porridge for children:
Add the quinoa flour to a cup of water and mix well.
Pour it into the pan and place it on the stove.
Stir it while cooking until there is no bullet.
Once the porridge has reached the right concentration, it is ready for serving.
You can mix quinoa porridge for children with fruits to make it delicious.
In the end, quinoa is a nutritious seed that you can use in your child’s diet to give him the nutrients he needs and have a healthier baby.
The ways to use quinoa are very wide. You can use quinoa in your food or make sweets like a quinoa cookie. It is also used in soup. Start right now and make a delicious and nutritious meal for your child with the recipes of this article.
FAQ
Is quinoa suitable for children?
Yes, quinoa is very suitable for children because of its excellent nutritional value.
How do I reduce the bitterness of quinoa seeds?
Wash it before cooking and add a variety of spices.
What are the benefits of quinoa seeds for children?
Quinoa seeds provide protein and a variety of vitamins in the baby’s body and promote bone growth and strength.
Does quinoa increase children’s energy levels?
Yes, quinoa seeds are rich in nutrients and minerals that increase energy.
Does quinoa boost children’s memory?
Yes, because magnesium, iron, and folic acid are present in it, it helps to strengthen neural system and thus improve brain function.
What are the steps to take when taking quinoa for children?
Remove the quinoa skin, don’t use too much salt, sugar, and sugar, make the food tasty.
When is it best to use quinoa in children’s diet?
It is recommended to wait until 8 months because quinoa is difficult to digest for a 6- or 7-month-old baby.
