Khichdi For Babies – When to Introduce, Benefits and Precautions

Is Khichdi Safe For Babies?

Undoubtedly, it’s the safest and the most satiating meal for tiny toddlers. Khichdi is a wholesome meal for your tiny babies. It’s a popular Indian meal for babies made with basic ingredients like rice and lentils. However, some mothers combine other ingredients like spinach to enhance its nutritional value.

Moreover, Khichdi can be introduced as the first solid food to babies as it is easy to digest and nourish your little ones. Pediatricians also recommend adding this lentil dish to the baby’s diet when they turn six months old. With it being a versatile dish, you can combine any ingredients to make it super delicious and enhance its nutritional value.

When Can You Introduce Khichdi to Your Baby?

Khichdi can be served to a six-month-old baby and above. But when you introduce Khichdi into your baby’s diet, keep the ingredients simple such as lentils and rice. Do not add other ingredients unless your baby digests the food comfortably without any uneasiness.

However, when your baby is seven to eight months old, you can add more ingredients like veggies and a teaspoon of ghee or clarified butter. It helps fill the baby’s stomach with some classic yet nutritious stuff. But be sure to blend it properly so babies can easily consume it. If your baby is under a year old, do not add salt to season this dal preparation.

Nutritional Value of Khichdi

Khichdi is generally made with rice and different lentils. This is why it is rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and other elements. The nutritional value of one serving of a bowl of Khichadi is as follows:

Amazing Top 5 Health Benefits of Khichdi For Babies

Khichdi is made with simple ingredients rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, and other vital nutrients. It is gluten-free and easy to swallow. It provides various health benefits to your babies, which are as follows:

1. Good For Gluten Allergic Babies

Babies having gluten allergies can consume khichdi. It consists of carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins. That’s why it can fulfill the protein and energy requirements of growing babies, especially during the first year. You can add vegetables like spinach and tomatoes to add fiber and nutrition to Khichadi once your baby is 8 months and older. So, this preparation can act as a complete meal for your baby.

2. Smooth Bowel Movement

The fiber content in rice and lentils used to make khichdi help in regulating digestion and preventing constipation. It is common knowledge that babies constantly suffer from constipation which can be quite a difficult situation to deal with. Giving your baby khichdi may reduce the occurrence of constipation.

3. Excellent Source of Macronutrients

Although Khichdi is made with simple ingredients like rice, lentils, and salt, it is considered a wholesome meal for babies. It’s a perfect blend of nutrition and rich in dietary fiber, carbohydrates, protein, calcium, vitamin C, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium.

It can be a great source of macronutrients for babies six months and a year old. However, add some vegetables while cooking Khichdi if you want to enhance the nutritional value.

4. Easy to Digest

Khichdi is comfort food that soothes your intestine and stomach.  Lentils and rice, both together can be cooked to a smooth consistency making it an ideal meal for babies. Dal and rice, when cooked properly, are easy to digest too.

5. Promotes Overall Growth and Well Being

According to the Ayurvedic diet, Khichadi is a staple source of protein and essential carbohydrates. It is a perfect detox food for babies. This dal recipe consists of balancing nutrients and increasing overall immunity and energy level. Moreover, it helps to stimulate the synthesis of digestive enzymes. You can add a pinch of turmeric, which has antioxidant properties while cooking for babies.

[Read : How to Increase Immunity in Babies?]

Precautions to Take While Introducing Khichdi to Babies

Though Khichdi is a balanced meal for babies, mothers must take some precautions while introducing Khichadi into the baby’s diet. Let’s have a look at the preventive measures.

• Do not give Khichdi to babies below 5 months.
• Never add vegetables that are difficult to digest.
• Always add soft vegetables such as spinach, carrots, and tomatoes that are easy to digest.
• Make sure to blend the Khichadi so that it would be easy to gulp by the babies.
• Always start with small quantities, maybe a spoon of khichdi. You can give more once your baby gets comfortable eating this dish.
• Follow the 3-day rule to check for any possible allergies and side effects.
• Do not add spices like black pepper, red pepper, etc., while preparing Khichdi for the babies. Add salt only once your baby is a year old.

[Read : The 3-Day Wait Rule For Babies To Introduce Solids]

Top 5 Tasty and Healthy Khichdi Recipes For Babies

Khichdi can be a delicious and balanced diet for babies. However, you can experiment with different ingredients and try these recipes of Khichdi for babies.

1. Plain Khichdi Recipe(6 Months+)

Plain Khichdi is one of the best and simplest recipes for babies of six months old. You can prepare it with simple ingredients like moong dal and rice. This can be introduced as an introductory solid food for babies. Try to make a mushy Khichdi so that babies can easily eat it.

2. Oats Khichdi Recipe(6 Months+)

Oats are a good source of beta-glucan and carbohydrates and fiber. It helps to smoothen bowel movement and absorb water quickly. The oats Khichdi are rich in phosphorus and calcium necessary for the teeth and bones of growing toddlers. You can give oats Khichdi to babies eight to nine months old. You can add vegetables to enhance the nutritional value.

3. Rava Khichdi Recipe(6 Months+)

Rava or sooji is made with fine broken wheat. It’s an excellent source of fiber, Vitamin B, protein, and iron. Moreover, sooji is easy to digest and cook within a few minutes. Just mix rava and dal and cook together. Mash everything well before giving to your baby. Mothers can add veggies to make it super delicious.

4. Vegetable Dal Khichdi Recipe(8 Months+)

Vegetable dal Khichdi is also a nutrition-rich recipe for toddlers. It is the best source of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. You can add more vegetables like pumpkin, carrots, potatoes, peas, beans, and broccoli as your baby grows. You can start feeding your babies with vegetable Khichdi after introducing plain Khichdi.

5. Spinach Khichdi Recipe (8 Months+)

Spinach is rich in Vitamin K, Vitamin A, and folic acid. It helps to boost immunity and is also good for the eye’s health. To make it delicious, you can add moong dal, spinach, and rice with simple Masala. Spinach Kichadi consists of insoluble fiber that helps to improve digestion. Moreover, it is also helpful to get rid of constipation.

Khichadi for babies is a well-balanced diet and a good way to shift them to solid food. However, when introducing Khichadi to your baby’s diet, start with plain khichdi and avoid adding too many ingredients. Add veggies and experiment with different ingredients as they adapt to it. Do not forget to consult with your pediatrician to get the right advice on a nutrition-rich diet.

[Read : Yellow Moong Dal For Babies]

FAQ’s

1. Can You Give Khichdi to a 7 Month Old Baby?

Yes, you can safely give khichdi to a 7 month old baby. It is easy to digest and an excellent source of nutrition.

2. Which Dal is Good For My 6 Month Old Baby?

You can safely start with moong dal. This is easy to digest and a tasty dal for babies just starting on solids.

3. Can I Add Cauliflower in Khichdi For My Baby?

You can add cauliflower, but ensure your baby is at least one year old. But you can add spinach, potatoes, beans, and peas in Khichdi for your baby.

Read Also: Plain Vegetable Khichdi Recipe For Babies