Babies are a bundle of joy, but when introducing them to solid foods, parents often have many questions. One common query is about what spices are safe for babies to consume. As a parent, you want to ensure your little one’s meals are flavorful yet gentle on their delicate tummies.
This informative blog post will explore the world of spices and discuss which ones are suitable for babies. From mild options like cinnamon and ginger to more robust flavors like cumin and turmeric, we’ll guide you through the dos and don’ts of seasoning your baby’s food. So, if you’re curious about spicing up your baby’s meals in a safe and healthy way, keep reading to find out more!
Can you feed baby spices?
The answer is a resounding yes, so don’t be hesitant to spice up your baby’s food.
Introducing baby to a wide range of flavors, including spices and herbs, helps to broaden their palates and promotes a lifetime of adventurous eating!
And if specific spices are a part of your family’s favorite recipes, give them to baby and pass on the flavors you enjoy.
Introducing spices will help your infant develop a taste for both your family’s favorites and meals from other cultural traditions. The sooner they are exposed to spices, the more receptive they will be to these different flavors.
Why Are Herbs And Spices Important In Baby Food?
Introducing herbs and spices to your baby’s meals helps to extend their taste buds, provide nutritious flavors free of MSG and other harmful additives, and create a diversified diet that the entire family can enjoy.
When babies can try the foods the rest of the family consumes, mealtimes become much more accessible for everyone, including busy parents. Babies fed a more diversified diet from an early age are more likely to be able to sample new tastes and flavors later in life, which helps eliminate fussy eating habits and promote flexible eating instead.
Best of all, employing spices and herbs to enhance flavors ensures your kid will never require less healthful additives to bring variety to their diet.
How should I introduce herbs and spices to my baby?
There are several ways to incorporate spices into your baby’s diet. If you use spices to prepare your meals at home, feed your infant what the rest of the family is having. Your infant could also try cinnamon in pureed apples, nutmeg in baked sweet potatoes, cardamom in baked goods, paprika on chicken, or cumin in beans.
Add fresh or dried herbs like basil, mint, oregano, and rosemary. Cooking with onion, garlic, and ginger is an excellent method for introducing new flavors to your child.
What spices can babies have?
Turmeric
This spice is known to have anti-inflammatory qualities. The vibrant yellowish-orange spice is one of the main constituents in most curry powders. If your baby isn’t used to curry powder, add a pinch to one of his savory purees, such as lentils, peas, or carrots. For example, a pinch of curry powder would be delicious in our Peas, Corn, and Carrots blend.
Rosemary
Even babies develop allergies, and rosemary can help. This sweet, fragrant herb contains rosmarinic acid, which can help reduce allergy symptoms such as itchy noses, congestion, and watery eyes. Rosemary can help prevent the creation of cancer-causing HCAs, which occur when meat is cooked at high temperatures.
Sage
Age’s warming flavor complements pig, sausage, and other meats. It has been used as traditional medicine for practically every health concern imaginable, including obesity, diabetes, depression, dementia, lupus, cancer, heart disease, and even autism! Add a pinch of dried, powdered sage to your meat purées for a dose of this potent cure-all.
Cinnamon
This familiar warming spice is not just a favorite among many; it is also high in antioxidants, beneficial to the mood, and can help prevent bacterial infections. Sprinkle some over your baby’s oatmeal, mashed bananas, or squash. At Amara, we help infuse cinnamon into our pumpkin and pear flavor. The ingredients are simple: 100% organic pumpkin, organic pear, and a bit of cinnamon. Yum!
Mint
This widespread herb is found in most cultures’ diets, and with good reason. Mint not only enhances the flavor of food but also relieves stomach discomfort and contains antiviral and antibacterial qualities. Try adding fresh mint to your baby’s fruit smoothie or yogurt. It works particularly well with tropical fruits like pineapple, coconut, and mango. Try adding some mint to our Tropical Mango flavor before serving for an added flavor and vitamin boost.
Basil
Basil is an excellent choice for babies because it is high in antioxidants, healthy for the intestines, and beneficial to the skin, mood, and digestion. It can be used in savory recipes such as tomato sauces or converted into pesto. Basil also pairs well with strawberry purees.
Ginger
Ginger has numerous health benefits, but one of the most important for babies is its ability to relieve gastrointestinal troubles such as bloating and gas. Grate a pinch of fresh ginger and add it to fruit purees like peach, plum, or prune. Ginger powder can also be used to warm cereals and baked products.
Nutmeg
It also detoxifies the body and blood. Nutmeg pairs well with sautéed spinach and vegetable recipes using zucchini, squash, and pumpkin. It is a popular addition to pumpkin pie spice and looks excellent in fall-themed muffins and scones.
Cardamom
Cardamom is a member of the ginger family and can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. Try it with peas, beans, sweet potatoes, yogurt, mango, banana, and other ingredients.
Paprika
Even though paprika is a pepper combination, the variety generally found in spice aisles is sweeter. Try combining this with flavorful vegetables.
Ground Cumin
Cumin is commonly used in Indian, Mexican, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Add ground cumin to avocado, lentils, potatoes, eggplants, or even a “salsa” made from tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions.
Cloves
Cloves are pulverized flower buds with a solid but warm flavor. You can mix them with peaches or pears or season baby meats.
Cayenne Pepper
Remember, a little goes a long way when it comes to spicy flavors, but your baby may enjoy the fire that a pinch of cayenne pepper brings to a dish. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper provides numerous health benefits, including enhanced circulation and heart health. It even has anticancer qualities!
Oregano
It’s great for fighting infections and has four more vitamins than blueberries. Extra oregano can be added to this Pasta Sauce with Hidden Veg for a tasty and healthy sauce that your baby will love as they start to eat on their own. Fill up your Mummy Cooks Food Flask with extra food to share.
Tips For Using Spices And Herbs
Take Care of Your Spices
Keep spices in airtight containers away from light and heat. Whole spices can be stored for 1-2 years, but ground spices begin to lose their scent and flavor after about six months. So buy in tiny quantities and use frequently!
Dried herbs
It should also be kept in cool, dark, and dry airtight containers.
Spice Blends
When using spice mixes, always check the packaging (they often have additional sugar and salt), and experiment with producing your blends.
Start with small amounts.
Start with tiny amounts to get your infant used to varied flavors. You want to avoid overpowering the cuisine, so begin by adding just a pinch.
Prepare fresh, leafy herbs properly.
Before incorporating fresh herbs into baby food, wash them thoroughly and purée or finely mince them.
Don’t give up
If your baby rejects the flavor of the spices/herbs, remember that a new flavor can take up to 10-20 exposures to get accepted.
Are There Any Spices You Should Avoid Feeding Baby?
Avoid giving infant spice combinations containing salt. Babies should eat a low-sodium diet.
Exercise caution when feeding your kid “hot” ingredients (such as chili peppers). However, this does not mean you should avoid feeding your infant these spices.
You can still introduce these spices if your family prefers “hot and spicy” cuisine. Start with a tiny bit to see how your baby reacts, then gradually raise the spice level if the baby doesn’t appear to mind. Soon, they’ll be enjoying the same amount of spiciness as you!
Which Herbs And Spices Are Best In Baby Food?
It is recommended to start with aromatic spices like cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg, garlic, turmeric, ginger, coriander, dill, and cumin. These spices provide numerous benefits, including antioxidant capabilities, anti-inflammatory qualities, improved immune system, and more.
Hot spices, such as chili, curry, hot paprika, cayenne pepper, and other pepper-based spices, should not be introduced until your kid is at least a year old. These spices can cause reactions, and because they activate pain receptors in the brain, they should only be introduced in limited amounts.
Final Words
When introducing spices to babies, it’s essential to proceed with caution and choose wisely. While some spices can add flavor and variety to your baby’s meals, others may not suit their delicate digestive systems. By gradually incorporating baby-friendly spices like cinnamon, turmeric, or ginger into their diet, you can expand their palate and provide them with a nutritious culinary experience. Always consult with your pediatrician before introducing new spices to ensure they are safe for your little one. Happy seasoning and happy eating!
