Baby’s First Year: What Spices and Sweeteners Can Babies Eat?

Adding salt and sugar should be avoided for babies especially before they turn one but that doesn’t mean that baby food has to be bland and boring. To make baby food more interesting there are certain sweeteners and spices for babies that can be added to food. The question is what spices and sweeteners can a baby eat and when can it be introduced?

 

Spices for babies

A very common question that is being asked by our Rahet Bally mamas is when to introduce spicy food to babies. By spicy food, we mean aromatic spices and not hot spices, of course.

 

If you’re about to start weaning your baby, it’s a good time to experiment with herbs and spices as it is a great natural way to add flavour to your baby’s food. However, you should experiment and see your baby’s reaction with different spices and take their tastebuds into consideration.

 

Here are a few spices for babies that you can include in their diet:

 

• Cinnamon

After your baby turns 6 months, it is safe to introduce their tastebuds to the sweet aroma and flavour of cinnamon. It’s a great sweet and spicy taste that most babies will love.

 

• Cumin

Cumin won’t just add flavour to your baby’s meals but it is also very healthy for their immune system, help boost their digestion and acts as an anti-bacterial/ fungus. However, be sure to give cumin in small doses to babies and test it out first after your baby turns 6 months.

 

• Nutmeg

With its mixture of sweet and peppery flavour, nutmeg can be added to milk, stews, muffins or even pasta after a baby has turned 6 months.

 

• Oregano

This natural herb can really add flavour to vegetables and vegetable purees for babies. Just remember, like most spices for babies, oregano should be introduced after 6 months.

 

• Rosemary

Just like oregano, rosemary is a herb that can make a huge difference to your baby’s vegetables and stews and can be added after 6 months.

 

• Garlic

Garlic has the power to transform any food and make it a whole lot tastier. However, unlike most of the other spices and herbs, it can be introduced to a baby’s diet starting 8 months.

 

Mint

That refreshing taste of mint is not only about to become your baby’s favourite flavour but it also has numerous health benefits. Mint can help with relieving a baby’s stomach cramps and indigestion as well as fight harmful bacteria in the stomach.

 

Sweeteners for babies

 

You probably know that your baby shouldn’t be eating sugar, but did you know that honey should not be given to babies in their first year? However, there are natural sweet alternatives to sugars that act as sweeteners for babies and give them that delicious flavour they love so much. Here are the best sweeteners for babies:

 

• Dates puree

Dates are fruits filled with healthy nutrients and come with a sweet flavour that babies will just love. Make the dates into a puree by mashing it and your baby will get all the sugar intake they need.

 

• Apple puree

A natural sweetener for babies that is super easy and accessible for your baby is apple puree. It is also one of the first solid foods to introduce to your baby at 6 months.

 

• Banana puree

At 6 months, it is safe to introduce solid foods to your baby and this can be done in the form of banana puree. It’s sweet, easy on the gum and a favourite texture amongst kids.

 

• Raisins syrup

Raisin water is not just a great sweetener for babies, but it is also extremely beneficial for constipation in babies. It can be introduced to babies starting 4 months.

 

• Palm sugar

Can babies eat palm sugar? The answer is yes, but after they’ve turned 6 months and you’ve consulted their paediatrician. Palm sugar acts as a sweetener for babies and is also a natural source of vitamin B12, calcium and iron.

 

Rahet Bally is every mother’s support system, join the biggest community of moms in Egypt, save on your daily motherhood expenses with our Rahet Bally Discount Card, and get back in shape and eat clean with our tailored Rahet Bally’s Motherhood Fitness & Nutrition Program.

 

Further reading:

• Iron-Rich Recipes For Your Little Ones
• Top 10 Homemade Baby Food Recipes
• 3 Places Where You Can Find Homemade Baby Food in Cairo

 

Sources used in this article:

• Apple Puree – Healthy Little Foodies

• When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods – CDC

• Adding Spices and Herbs to Baby Food- Healthy Little Foodies

• Palm Sugar Powder for Babies, Toddlers and Kids

• Introducing sweet spices, herbs and condiments in the baby’s diet 
• Adventurous Recipes for Babies and Toddlers

• Raisin water for babies and kids, Dry grapes water – Home remedy for constipation

 

 

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