Why Is Ragi Porridge A Good Choice For Growing Babies?

Finger millet, commonly known as Ragi, is a highly nutritious grain that is essential for the overall growth and development of your baby. Due to its high protein, calcium, and iron content, it is an excellent choice for your little one. Moreover, finger millet is gluten-free, low in fat, and easy to digest, making it an ideal option for your baby's diet. Ragi porridge, a well-liked dish made from finger millet, has long been a dietary staple in many households because of its numerous health benefits. Explore the significant advantages of introducing Ragi Porridge into your baby's diet.

• Nutrient-Rich: One of the standout features of Ragi Porridge is its nutrient-rich profile. It’s loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are crucial for a baby’s growth and development. These nutrients play a vital role in strengthening bones, boosting immunity, and supporting overall health.

• Easy To Digest: Ragi Porridge is gentle on the baby’s developing digestive system. It’s a natural composition, and its soft texture makes it easy to digest, reducing the risk of tummy troubles like constipation or gas. This makes it an ideal first food for babies who are transitioning from breast milk or formula to solid foods.

• Promotes Weight Gain:  Ragi porridge can be useful for parents concerned about their baby’s weight gain. It’s nutrient-dense and calorie-rich, making it an excellent choice for promoting healthy weight gain in infants. The high nutritional value of ragi malt can help ensure that babies are getting the calories and nutrients they need to grow and thrive.

• Boosts Immunity: Ragi Porridge is packed with antioxidants and other immune-boosting nutrients. These help strengthen the baby’s immune system, making them more resistant to common illnesses like colds and flu. A strong immune system is essential for babies, especially during their formative years.

• Supports Brain Development: Last but certainly not least, Ragi Porridge contains essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, which are crucial for brain development. These fatty acids help support cognitive function and can contribute to better learning and development as the baby grows.

How to Prepare Ragi Porridge For Babies?

Now that you are aware of the benefits of ragi for infants, let us explore the process of preparing ragi porridge for babies. Initially, introduce plain bland porridge made from finger millet to your little one. Begin by feeding her this porridge for a week. Once she becomes accustomed to it, you can move on to serving semi-solid porridge. In case your baby experiences any difficulty in digesting it, refrain from feeding her porridge for a few days before reintroducing it.

You Will Need:

• 1 cup of water

• 2 teaspoons of ragi porridge powder

• 1 teaspoon of ghee

• 1/2 cup of milk

• A small amount of grated jaggery

Preparing Porridge Powder:

• Wash the ragi thoroughly.

• Drain the water and spread the ragi on a clean cloth in sunlight to dry.

• Once dried, roast the powder over medium heat until you smell the aroma of roasted finger millet.

• Remove from heat and transfer to a plate. Allow it to cool.

• Grind the roasted ragi into a fine powder using a grinder.

• Store the ground ragi powder in a dry, airtight container.

Making Ragi Porridge:

• Heat 1 teaspoon of ghee in a cooking pan.

• Once hot, add 2 teaspoons of ragi porridge powder and sauté for about a minute.

• Pour in 1 cup of water followed by 1/2 cup of milk.

• Stir continuously to ensure the flour mixes well with the milk.

• Ensure there are no lumps in the mixture.

• Add a small amount of grated jaggery for sweetness and stir until dissolved.

• Turn off the heat when the porridge reaches the desired consistency.

Quick tip: After confirming that your baby does not have any nut allergies, you can enhance the porridge by adding powdered roasted nuts. This will increase the calorie content of the meal and impart a nutty flavor.

Ragi malt’s nutrient-rich profile, ease of digestion, and immune-boosting properties make it a highly recommended food for babies as they embark on their journey of solid foods. So, if you’re looking for a nutritious and beneficial food to introduce to your baby, Ragi Porridge is definitely worth considering

References:

1. Finger Millet: Nutritional Profile and Potential Health Benefits [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377666510_Finger_Millet_Nutritional_Profile_and_Potential_Health_Benefits] 

2. The Nutritional Benefits of Millets for Children
   [https://ijrpr.com/uploads/V5ISSUE6/IJRPR29751.pdf] 

3. Development of Weaning Food Premixes for Infants Based on Ragi, Green Gram and Rice [https://www.ijfans.org/uploads/paper/d4747dd515979bb9279cb4d628610b35.pdf]