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Cauliflower for Babies - Health Benefits and Delicious Recipes
While introducing your baby to the world of semi-solid and solid foods, it is important to know which vegetables to add to his diet and at what age. This knowledge is especially necessary when you are opting to make your own baby food at home. Homemade food allows better control of the ingredients that are fed to your little one. Like many mothers, if you are troubled by the query “is cauliflower good for babies”, we have good news for you - Cauliflower can prove to be a great addition to your child’s diet and help in providing necessary nutrients for wholesome growth.
When Can You Introduce Cauliflower to Babies?
Cauliflower is a highly versatile vegetable that contains Folate, Calcium, Vitamin A & C and is high in fibre too. You can introduce your baby to cauliflower when he is between 8 to 10 months old. Starting with cauliflower at an earlier age is not recommended since the vegetable is slightly difficult to digest and could cause gas. The baby’s digestive system is not fully developed until he is above six months of age and hence it is better to wait. This could cause discomfort and pain in some cases too. It is best to consult with your doctor before doing so, especially if your tiny tot has an over-sensitive stomach. Although cauliflower isn’t known to cause allergies in babies, it is best to introduce it separately so in case of any adverse reaction, it will be easy to identify the cause.
Nutritional Value of Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable that contains phytochemicals which helps to prevent cancer. Here is the nutritional value of cauliflower in terms of minerals and vitamins:
Minerals
Vitamins
Potassium – 176 mg
Vitamin C – 54.9 mg
Phosphorus – 40 mg
Vitamin A – 15 IU
Calcium – 20 mg
Vitamin B6 – .21 mg
Sodium – 19 mg
Folate – 55 mcg
Magnesium – 11 mg
Niacin – .5 mg
Iron – .40 mg
Thiamine – .05 mg
Manganese, Copper, Zinc and Selenium in small quantities
Lutein – 36 mcg
Pantothenic Acid – .6 mg
Source: http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/cauliflowerbabyfoodrecipes.htm
Benefits of Cauliflower for Babies
The following are the benefits of cauliflower if you include it to your baby’s diet:
1. Good for the skin
Since cauliflower contains sulforaphane, it protects the baby’s skin against the harmful effects of ultra-violet rays. Other skin conditions like inflammations, cellular damage, skin cancer and erythema are also prevented.
2. Good for bones
Cauliflower provides Vitamin C to the body which makes the baby’s bones stronger and healthier. It enhances the production of collagen so that our bones and joints are protected from inflammatory damage. It also contains Vitamin K which is beneficial for the baby’s bones.
3. Prevents stomach disorders
The high fibre content in cauliflower aids digestion and helps in removing toxins from our body. It doesn’t allow the growth of certain bacteria by protecting the stomach lining. Cauliflower also helps to deal with many kinds of stomach disorders.
4. Takes care of the heart and cardiovascular systems
The presence of sulforaphane in cauliflower helps to improve the functioning of the heart and kidney. Since it contains Vitamin K and glucoraphanin, the baby’s blood vessels are maintained along with good blood circulation.
How to Select & Store Cauliflower
When you visit the market to purchase cauliflower for the baby, choose the one that is heavy for its size. Ensure the leaves are green, fresh-looking and have that “crunch”. The cauliflower is certainly a stale one if its leaves are pale in colour and are droopy. The cauliflower with more leaves on its head helps in keeping the centre (curd) fresh by protecting it. A creamy white coloured curd means that the cauliflower is fresh while brown spots, dull exteriors and the presence of small flowers mean that it is old and rapidly losing its nutritional value.
It is best to avoid frozen cauliflower unless you plan to use it for making soup. Frozen cauliflower can become extremely soggy after it is cooked. Even the cauliflower puree baby boys and girls love, doesn't taste too well. While storing cauliflower, you should keep its stem side up in order to keep the moisture content from accumulating on the curd. Do not store cauliflower in a plastic bag as this encourages the accumulation of moisture which hastens the decaying process. You can use a paper bag or no bag at all. Fresh cauliflower will retain all its nutrients and qualities for about a week when kept in the refrigerator.
How to Cook Cauliflower for your Baby?
It is very simple to cook cauliflower as it involves removing the green leaves and cutting the florets just above the stem. Once done, wash it thoroughly under running water to clean it properly. Cut the curd into small-sized florets, preferably of the same size to help it to cook in an even way. After you have cut the cauliflower into pieces, allow it to sit in a bowl of water to help the health-enhancing phytonutrients to develop.
It is best to steam the cauliflower florets which takes around 8-10 minutes or they can be boiled for about five minutes. Steaming is preferred as boiling can drain some of its nutrients into the water. To ensure the nutrients are routed back into your baby’s food, use the water while making cauliflower puree for your little one. Cauliflower can be roasted and even eaten raw when your child grows up but it is best to cook it when it is an infant.
Easy Cauliflower Recipes for Baby
Your little one will love the taste of cauliflower if you cook the right way by adding different ingredients to enhance its taste and retain its nutritional values. Here are a few handpicked recipes to get you started the easy way:
1. Baked Cauliflower Cheese
This is the simplest way to serve cauliflower to your baby.
Ingredients
One small cauliflower
¾ cup Milk
4 tsp unsalted butter
2 teaspoons of flour
2 tablespoons of fresh whole wheat bread crumbs
¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup of grated Cheddar cheese
A pinch of nutmeg
Method
Wash the cauliflower under running water before cutting it into small florets which can be steamed later. In the meantime, melt 2 teaspoons of butter in a pan and add the flour while stirring continuously. Add milk and bring it to boil. Cook until the mixture is thick and put the pan off the heat. Add nutmeg and Cheddar cheese. In a baking dish, add this mixture to the steamed cauliflower while stirring it well. Mix the Parmesan cheese with the breadcrumbs and sprinkle it over the mixture. Melt the rest of the butter and pour it over the crumbs. Bake this for about 20-30 minutes till the mix turns into a delicious golden brown colour. This cauliflower cheese baby food recipe is bound to be a hit with kids and mothers as well.
2. Mashed Potatoes
Add some cauliflower to the classic mashed potato recipe.
Ingredients
4 cauliflower turrets
200 grams potatoes
2 teaspoons of olive oil
3 tablespoons of warm milk
¼ cup of grated cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon diced chives or spring onions
Method
Peel the potatoes, cut them into long pieces and allow them to simmer in water for about 10 minutes. Add the cauliflower turrets and cool for about 8-10 minutes more till the mix turns tender. Drain the water and mash the potatoes along with the cauliflower while adding the cheese and chives. Pour the milk and olive oil and your nutrient-packed mashed potato is ready.
3. Cauliflower- Basic Puree
This is a simple puree with only cauliflower.
Ingredients
1 Cauliflower
Method
Wash the cauliflower clean under running water. Remove the green leaves to get to the curd. Remember to use only the florets to make the puree so you get a smooth and tasty puree. Put it into a pan and steam it until it becomes tender. Put it into a blender and run it till it turns into a smooth puree. You can add a little water if you feel you need more consistency. To make it tastier, you could consider adding an apple to it.
There are many health benefits associated with cauliflower and your baby will certainly gain if you decide to add it to its meal. Of course, you will have to cook up a few tasty recipes to get your little one hooked on to it and eat it without much of a fuss. However, before introducing your little one to solid foods, it is recommended to speak to your child’s paediatrician and discuss any allergy risks that can be associated at this age.
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Arrowroot For Babies
Oats for Babies
Pumpkin For Babies Read more
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Babies Face a Sleeping Risk in Winters. Here's How to Keep Them Warm and Safe
Your baby must feel cozy while sleeping. This will ensure that he naps well through the night. When the nights get cold, you try to dress your baby in comfy sleepwear and maintain a soothing temperature in the room so he gets sound sleep. However, winter nights still pose a risk for babies that is very easy to overlook!
Sleeping well is an important aspect of growth in babies. When they sleep comfortably, they are more at ease and show less crankiness. For parents, therefore, it becomes important to tuck their infants into bed with utmost care so they can ensure maximum relaxation for their darling. Now that winter is here, you instinctively opt for thicker clothes and keep your baby well covered. This is natural as you want to preserve their body heat and keep them from catching a cold or an infection. However, in doing this, we sometimes unknowingly make a mistake that exposes our babies to a serious risk!
Studies have proven that the most common risk babies face at bedtime during winter is this: overheating. We tend to dress our child in multiple layers and often cover his head or swaddle him tightly. However, overheating has been seen to trigger severe reactions in children, including sweating, discomfort, irritability, poor sleep, and in serious cases, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)! The risk of SIDS multiplies if your child is overheated and this is the easiest thing to overlook when the temperatures are dipping!
As a rule of thumb, dress your little one in only ONE light layer more than you have on at present. Ideally, do not cover his head. They need to breathe properly and feel comfortable and the head is what regulates their overall warmth. Also, while swaddling, remember to never do this very tightly, even though you only want to protect baby from the cold. It is advisable to use a light swaddle while ensuring your baby wears warm clothes underneath, such as thick pajamas, so his feet remain covered. This way, he will conserve his body heat while escaping the risk of getting heated too much.
How To Ensure your Baby Gets a Good Night's Sleep In Winter
Apart from the above thumbrule, here are a few more guidelines you should remember when dressing your baby for bed in winter.
1. Choose Appropriate Baby Sleepwear
Choosing appropriate sleepwear is an important aspect of giving good sleep to your baby and keeping warm in winter is one way to ensure that. So, what should your baby wear to sleep?
1. Pick clothes that fit well and is neither too loose nor too tight around the arms, neck and feet.
2. When selecting the sleepwear, ensure that it provides warmth even without using a blanket. If the dress has different layers, you can easily remove or add the layers according to temperature changes.
3. Avoid using bonnets or hats while tucking your baby to sleep. Using these head protection gear can overheat his body, making him uncomfortable. Also, the use of head wear with fancy ribbons or strings can turn out to be a strangulation hazard. Therefore always make sure that you put your baby to sleep without covering his head with anything.
2. Swaddle your Baby Correctly
1. Wrapping your baby cozily in a comfortable blanket is the best way to tuck him in for deep sleep, especially when the nights are cold. It also gives the baby a safe position and settles him steadily. Use a lightweight muslin or cotton wrap. While you wrap him, leave his head, chin and ears uncovered. Babies can be wrapped till they reach the age of 6 months.
2. Infant sleeping bags also serve as a good sleeping aid. Use a size that comfortably fits your baby, while leaving their face and head uncovered.
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3. Maintain Ideal Surrounding Temperature for Baby's Safe Sleep
1. You can feel the temperature of your baby’s body by touching his tummy or back. While you dress him in layers of clothing, adjust the layers according to the body temperature. During colder days, dress him in multiple layers to ensure body heat retention but never pile on too many layers! Choose instead to install baby-safe room heating that can maintain an optimal temperature inside the house.
2. Babies generally sleep well when the surrounding temperature is neither too hot nor too cold. If your baby feels warm, make the room temperature comfortable for him to sleep. Keeping the surrounding temperature between 21-22 degrees centigrade is an optimal range for babies. However, it can be adjusted according to your little one's body temperature.
Your darling needs good sleep every day to remain healthy and reach new developmental milestones at lightning speed. When you put your baby to sleep, just ensure that he is comfortably warm, and feels neither too sweaty, hot or too cold. This way keeping your baby warm in winter will not just make him comfortable but also safe. More sleep for baby and you! Read more
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Children's Vitamins and Minerals: Importance, Facts and Benefits
Vitamins and minerals are important for growing children as they provide all the essential nutrients required to support a child’s activities and development as he grows.
Human body is not capable of manufacturing the vitamins necessary for healthy development, which is why they must be supplemented via healthy diet. There are various vitamin and mineral-rich foods that are easily available in market such as milk and dairy products, meat, eggs, strawberries, mangoes, broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, green leafy vegetables and more. These can be cooked as delicious meals for fussy eaters to provide the required nutrition.
Importance of Vitamins
Vitamin A for Toddlers -
Vitamin A is important for toddlers as it helps in the development of cells and tissues in the body.
1. Benefits
Strengthens eyesight
Improves skin, nails and hair
Helps in growth and development of bones
Strengthens immune system and fights infections
2. Daily Amount
1 to 3 years old – 300 micrograms
4 years and above – 400 micrograms
3. Sources
Milk, cheese, eggs, orange and veggies such as carrots and sweet potatoes are rich in Vitamin A.
4. Deficiency
Deficiency of vitamin A can lead to a medical condition called xerophthalmia. Dry skin is one of the symptoms of vitamin A deficiency, while it also increases the risk of diseases and death from severe infections.
Vitamin B for Toddlers -
The family of B Vitamins are helpful in improving metabolism and production of energy in the body.
1. Benefits
Vitamin B1 helps in releasing energy from food and proper functioning of nervous system.
Vitamin B2 helps in the breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Vitamin B3 helps in the absorption of food and promotes growth.
Vitamin B6 helps in the breakdown of proteins into energy, brain functioning and also RBC production.
2. Sources
Milk, meat, cheese, yeast, nuts, eggs, fish, beans, wholemeal breads, whole grain foods and cereals are some Vitamin B rich foods. In order to gain benefits of vitamin B, all types of B vitamins need to function in tandem with each other and it is vital to obtain all types of B vitamins in proper amounts.
3. Deficiency
A diet deficient in different types of B vitamins can cause the nervous system to function poorly in children and adults alike. It affects their ability to learn, poor memory, moodiness, confusion etc. Skin conditions like dry skin and oily skin, acne can be the signs of vitamin B deficiency.
Vitamin C for Toddlers -
Vitamin C is essential for healthy muscle and tissue growth as well as improves the skin.
1. Benefits
Helps in building collagen
Fights against infections
Absorbs iron from food
Keeps teeth, bones and gums healthy
2. Daily Amount
1 to 3 years old – 15 milligrams
4 years and above – 25 milligrams
3. Sources
Orange, kiwi, strawberry, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers and other citrus foods are rich sources of Vitamin C.
4. Deficiency
Deficiency of vitamin C can cause scurvy that leads to formation of brown spots on the skin, spongy gums, and bleeding from all mucous membranes.
Vitamin D for Toddlers -
Vitamin D aids in regulating the immune system, production of insulin and growth of cells in the body.
1. Benefits
Helps in absorption of calcium
Keeps bones and teeth strong and healthy
2. Daily Amount
1 to 3 years old – 10 micrograms
4 years and above – 15 micrograms
3. Sources
Sunlight, oily fish, egg yolks and butter are good sources of Vitamin D.
4. Deficiency
Deficiency of vitamin D leads to rickets in children that weakens the bones and also causes diseases related to bones.
Vitamin E for Toddlers -
Vitamin E helps fight against germs and ensures free blood flow through the vessels.
1. Benefits
Boosts the immune system
Helps in the development of eyes and healthy skin
2. Daily Amount
1 to 3 years old – 6 milligrams
4 years and above – 7 milligrams
3. Sources
Sunflower and canola oils, margarine and nuts are some Vitamin E rich foods.
4. Deficiency
Severe deficiency of Vitamin E in toddlers can cause chronic lever disease, slow growth, mild anemia, muscle weakness dryness of skin and hair, drooping upper eyelid, leg cramps etc.
Importance of Minerals
The two most vital minerals for the healthy growth of children are iron and calcium.
Calcium for Toddlers -
1. Importance
Helps in building strong bones and teeth
Helps in healthy functioning of nerves and muscles in the body
Is vital for blood clots
Helps in converting food into energy
2. Daily Amount
1 to 3 years old – 500 milligrams
4 years and above – 800 milligrams
3. Sources
Milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu and calcium-fortified orange juice are some rich sources of calcium.
4. Deficiency
Deficiency of calcium can cause bone development problems like bow legs in kids. Moreover, it can cause muscle cramps, numbness, poor appetite, paresthesia (burning or prickling sensation), petechiae (formation of tiny red dots due to bleeding under the skin).
Iron for Toddlers -
1. Importance
Vital for making haemoglobin and myoglobin
Necessary for avoiding anaemia
Helps in the development of the brain
2. Daily Amount
1 to 3 years old – 7 milligrams
4 years and above – 10 milligrams
Extra Vitamin and Mineral Supplements - Good or Bad?
Excess of everything is bad and excess of nutrition is also bad. Overdose of vitamins and minerals can be dangerous for kids as the fat soluble vitamins become toxic if taken in large amounts. Your child requires tiny amount of vitamins and minerals that can easily be obtained from his every day diet. It is best to let your child eat a variety of nutrition-rich foods than taking tablets or pills, unless prescribed by the doctor. This is because supplements cannot replicate all the goodness and nutrition provided by whole foods. But since kids are not exactly enthusiastic feeders, sometimes they need the external sources of vitamins/minerals to compensate the deficit they may be facing. You may choose to give your toddler supplements with the advise of his doctor. Be careful and selective while choosing and administering the supplements for your child. Read more
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Panipuri / Gol Gappe
Panipuri needs no introduction. This extremely popular Indian street snack is called by many names - gol-gappe, pani ke bataashe or puchka – but what’s in a name! Just the mention of this dish would make your mouth water and you won’t be able to resist, but have one. So make this dish at home & satiate your hankering for a khatta-mitha-tikha fare.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
5 People
30-35 Minutes
0 Minutes
Ingredients
25-30 puris (home-made or store-bought)
Ingredients for Stuffing
4 potatoes, boiled & mashed
1 onion, finely chopped
3 tbsp coriander leaves, finely chopped
2 tsp chaat masala powder
1 tsp cumin powder, roasted
1/2 tsp red chili powder (optional)
Black salt to taste (if not available, use normal salt)
Ingredients for Khatta-Tikha-Mitha Pani
1/2 cup coriander leaves, chopped
1/2 cup mint leaves, chopped
1 inch ginger paste
1 tbsp tamarind, seedless & soaked in water
4 tbsp crumbled or powdered jaggery/sugar OR the mixture of 2 tbsp chopped seedless dates & 2 tbsp powdered jaggery.
1 green chili, chopped
1 tsp chaat masala powder
1.5 tsp cumin powder, roasted
2 tbsp boondi (readily available boondi)
Black salt to taste (if not available, use normal salt)
Method
For Stuffing
Step 1
Boil the potatoes to cook completely, peel & chop well.
Step 2
Finely chop onion. Keep aside.
Step 3
In a large bowl, mix all the ‘for stuffing’ ingredients mentioned above. Add black salt (or salt) considering the amount of ingredients collectively.
Step 4
Mix well and keep aside.
For Khatta-Tikha-Mitha Pani
Step 1
Mix all the ingredients mentioned above for ‘Khatta-Tikha-Mitha Pani’ in a blender. Add water & grind to the fine mixture (is now called green chutney).
Step 2
Collect green chutney in a large bowl. Add 2-3 cups of water & mix well. Taste the seasoning & add chaat masala, jeera powder & salt to taste.
Step 3
Mostly thin pani is liked by many, so adjust the thinness by adding more water, but keep a check on seasoning & taste.
Step 4
Now, add boondi to this pani & let boondi become soft by soaking the pani.
Step 5
In summer season, you can chill this pani in the refrigerator or add ice cubes to it. (remember that adding ice cubes will make the pani thinner, so you’ll again need to adjust it as per the desired taste)
Preparing Pani Puri
Step 1
Hold the puri in hand & crack the top with the thumb nail.
Step 2
Add boiled potato-onion filling inside the puri as per puri’s size.
Step 3
Stir the green pani first and then add it to the puri. Next, add the sweet chutney as per your taste.
Step 4
Keep all the preparations handy. You should serve pani puri immediately, because it turns soggy due to pani.
Nutritional Information
Calories
152 Kcal
Proteins
3.8 g
Fat
0.9 g
Carbohydrates
39.3 g
Cholesterol
3 mg
Sodium
1014 mg
Potassium
687 mg
Tip -You can also use sprouted steamed moong, sprouted steamed matki, soft boiled white chickpeas, finely chopped onions, chopped coriander leaves, chopped pudina leaves for stuffing. Read more
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Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 hours ago
Q. I am 9 week pregnant and I have runny nose very badly can I use cetirizine tablet?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
8 hours ago
A. use nasal drops , that acts faster .
You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
12 hours ago
Q. hi,
my LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5 , what if I intercourse after 2 days, can I do intercourse in ovulation day can become a pregent .
on ovulation day if we intercourse can become a pregent..pls advice..
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
8 hours ago
A. since the follicle size is 18 to 20 mm your ovulation may occur within 24 hours also so if you have intercourse with in that time it will be more effective to get conceived
your endometrial growth is not good enough for conception but still you can just try
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
11 hours ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
11 hours ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
8 hours ago
Q. My breasts feel full and heavy, but there’s no milk when pumping and during feeding baby —what do I do?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
2 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Disha Patel has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
8 hours ago
Q. can I take medicine pcm n citrazene in pregnancy fir sore throats n fever
Dr Disha Patel
Ayurvedic Physician
3 hours ago
A. dear mom.
better to take tab pcm for time being n do take steam inhakation couple of tines a day, follpw good home renedies for cold, taje more rest .
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
1 hour ago
Q. hi everyone good morning,
sorghum can I give to my 10 month baby is it safe or not please revert I waiting for your reply
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. yes
whenever you give any new food to the child you have to take care of two things.
you should give in small quantity. if the child doesn't develop any digestion problem in next 24 hours to 48 hours and the child is able to digest that food then that food can be given again.
but if the child is not able to digestc or there is some problem with vomiting or loose motion or colic pain then kindly avoid that food.
we wait for 2 to 3 days to confirm whether the child is having any problem to that particular food or not
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