Amazing Benefits of Ghee for Kids

Is it already time for you to introduce solid foods to your baby? If yes, then you must be now regularly visiting the paediatrician to know the innovative diet plans that can be given to your baby for a healthy growth. But, among these contemporary diet style, have you forgotten some of the conventional nutritional food we grew up eating that our mothers and grandmothers used to prepare for us? Well, the flavoursome home-made ghee is definitely among them.

We have so many beautiful childhood memories of this home-made delight we grew up eating. Just a dollop of it and any food would be delicious and aromatic. But, are you aware of the amazing health benefits it has for kids? Even in ancient Ayurveda, it is considered as rejuvenating and an excellent elixir that makes it a definite addition to your child’s pantry. Read on to expand your knowledge about ghee that is loaded with nutrients and healthy fats.

Healthy Ghee Benefits for Kids

Brain Development

Oh! did you ever think it had a connection with brain functioning? Well, research says, a baby’s brain undergoes massive changes and development during the first 5 years. From birth to 3 years of age, the neurons reach almost 80% of its development. The addition of desi ghee can be an essential addition to the diet list that is rich in Omega 3, the exact amount of DHA and EPA and 9 fatty acids. So, start giving it an accurate amount for improved brain development and memory.

The Right Amount of Fat

Ask your paediatrician and he will tell you that kids need almost 1500 intake of calories for an optimal physical and mental development. Has your child turned 7-8 months old? If yes, then he is in his post-breastfeeding stage. At this stage, babies need an additional fat intake to fight fat deficiency. Boost your kid’s calorie intake with this saturated fatty acid.

Now, are you worried that clarified butter can unhealthy for your baby? Trust me, it’s just a myth. It is actually devoid of trans-fats, hydrogenated oils and oxidized cholesterol. In fact, it provides the right balance for ideal weight management to your baby.

The Vitamin Factor

A healthy growing baby is your prime concern now- we understand that.

And so, we suggest the addition of the amazing cow-ghee that is loaded with vitamins like A, D, E and K. Besides, boosting the overall growth of your baby, its regular usage ensures optimal development of skin, eyes, immunity power and strong bones during their formative years.

It is also a powerful antioxidant, did you know? Also, its antiviral and antibacterial properties help in the development of balanced hormones, healthy liver and digestion process.

High Smoking Point

As a health-conscious mother, are you worried of feeding overcooked food? Well, your solution is here. Ghee has a high smoking point of 485°F that makes it an excellent option for cooking even at a higher temperature. Compared to other oils and butter, it does not break into free radicals. So, now leaving your worries aside, you can sauté, roast and bake in it as it will not destroy the essential nutrients of the food that you cook with so much love and care

Taste Enhancer

You and I, both being an experienced mother, know that feeding a baby is a herculean task. Resorting to their food tantrums are a real everyday struggle. And the only solution to it – to constantly experiment with the food and their taste buds. Well, I found my way - add ghee butter to their regular food and enhance the taste.

My son used to love its rich aroma that stirred up his appetite. Just a half spoon of it to dal, khichdi or even plain rice and OMG and the food is finished within no time. A true saviour it was for me!  

Loads of Other Benefits

Low in fat: yes, it’s better than butter and oil. It’s saturated healthy fat that is easily digestible and aids in weight gain after the breastfeeding phase.

Easily digestive: it’s a good source of butyric acid that reduces inflammation and aids in stomach acid secretion for the better digestion process. Add a spoon of ghee in your baby’s food to accelerate the digestion process.

Boosts immune system: its high content of antioxidants and antimicrobial properties protects against cold, infections and strengthens the immune system. It also enables in absorption of vital nutrients in the body that boosts immunity.

Enhances metabolism: the vital vitamins like K2, CLA improve the metabolism rate, keeping kids active and free from diseases.

Great option for lactose intolerant kids: it is lactose-free being a by-product of milk. Being thoroughly processed, it doesn’t have lactic acid. It is a good option to feed lactose intolerant babies without causing allergies.

Treating health discomforts: infants catch a cold easily. Heat it with some cloves and rub it on the chest to get rid of chest congestion and cough. Even swallowing Tulsi paste with warmed ghee is useful for immediate relief. Eczema and itchy skins are common for babies that can be easily treated with this homemade wonder. Gently massage it on the affected areas to reduce inflammation. Its antimicrobial property prevents dry skin.

Relieves Constipation: babies suffering from constipation can wreak havoc. Pour a teaspoon of ghee in warm milk and feed the baby to ease their constipation that also enables in excreting toxins from the body.

Treatment of burns: it’s the best skin-friendly dermatological natural product to apply on burns, cuts, inflammation and dryness. It also acts as a soothing moisturizer for the skin.

When to Start Adding Ghee in Kid’s Diet

Parents need to be vigilant about the health and food intake of their infants. Right food in the right quantity is essential for the healthy development of the baby that has the apt measure of vitamins, minerals, iron, calcium and carbohydrates.

When your kid stops breastfeeding or when he turns 6 months, consult your paediatrician for a diet chart that has the right quantity of all nutrients. While most doctors recommend starting daliya, khichdi, dal, vegetables that have a high nutritional factor, they also recommend adding ghee to them.  It aids in healthy weight gain in babies.

In What Quantity to Add in Food

When my son turned 6 months, my paediatrician advised me to add ghee to his daily diet that would compensate for the breast milk earlier provided as it the healthiest source of fat. However, he did mention about the quantity that must be adjusted according to the preferences and need of the baby.

If your baby loves the taste then you are a winner! You can easily add a few drops of homemade clarified butter to his food that will enhance the taste and help him digest food easily. Below is the chart that illustrates the right proportion to be fed according to age:

6 months: only a few drops

8-10 months: ¾ to 1 teaspoon

12 months: 1 to 1 ½ teaspoon

2 years or more:  1 ½ to 2 or more

Well, doctors have learned geniuses but grandmothers are no less prudent advisers when it comes to raising a baby. My granny’s unique tips during my pregnancy and post-natal stage were a big help to overcome tricky situations. When I started adding desi ghee in my kid’s food, these were some standalone instructions:

• Do not add too much of it even if your kid is underweight
• Do not feed more than a teaspoon in one single serving. Divide it equally in 2-3 servings
• Do not feed it before 6 months. Start giving only after the 7th month
• Do not suddenly introduce it in food, do it sparingly
• Do not massage ghee regularly on kids. It clogs their pores
• Do not blindly follow a chart, keep a keen check on their health, weight gain and digestive needs

Storing Process

• It must be kept away from water and sunlight
• If it’s a big jar then store some of it in an air-tight container in the fridge. It will last more than a year
• If keeping outside, it must be kept in a dark place in a tight container. It will last up to 6 months.   

Grandmother’s Recipes for Including Ghee in Child’s Meal Plan

When it comes to preparing a kid’s meal plan, parents tend to get perplexed. After 6 months, mothers must start feeding semi-solid foods to their babies that are rich in iron and protein. You must have often heard grandmothers recommending the addition of home-made or desi ghee in your child’s diet chart. Well, she is right given its host of benefits.

I am sharing some recipes from my grandmother’s diary for your baby’s diet.

Wheat Flour Halwa

My granny used to make this tasty atta halwa using pureed dates, cardamom and formula milk. Later she would add ghee that accentuated the taste and flavour of this delicacy that I used to gobble with pleasure.

Note: this halwa can also be cooked with suji, apple and/or carrot.

Vegetable Soups

You can use any seasonal vegetable to make the soup-spinach, carrot, beans, peas, tomato, bottle gourd. Boil them and then blend them into a smooth paste or strain the veggies to get a clear soup. Boil it adding ghee and salt. It’s a delicious and healthy soup that your kid will definitely love.

Note: you may add any type dal to this soup to enhance its nutritional value

Kheer

My granny made different types of tasty kheer- rice kheer, suji kheer, sabudana kheer, moong dal kheer, carrot kheer etc. Along with the basic ingredients like milk, dry fruits, fruits, cardamom she would definitely add desi ghee to it that made these simple dishes flavoursome and yummy.

Khichdi

Well, khichdi is the staple food for babies growing in Indian houses. But, there can variations to them to suit your tot’s tastes and likings. Begin with the simple ones like dal and rice khichdi and once they start to develop a liking for them, you can make alterations. My grandmom made moong dal palak khichdi, sabudana khichdi, urad dal or masoor dal with vegetables or boiled egg yolk khichdi, wheat dalia khichdi and curd khichdi. She would add a teaspoon of ghee butter in it later that made it simply delectable.

Puddings, pancakes, porridge, cereals, vegetable purees, steamed rice with fruit puree, oats khichdi are some of the other tasty and healthy food for kids that can be easily made with ghee.

As your baby reaches his 6th-month milestone, you must be really excited to introduce a variety of food types but I will recommend not to bring in drastic changes in their diet. Rather, let them slowly get accustomed to the food moderations and develop their own taste buds.

Conclusion

Ghee is one of the most sattvic foods that can be fed to babies without any hesitation. Start adding it in small quantities in their regular fresh homemade food that will help in digestion and growing fond of their new food régime.

Post your unique baby food recipes with us and share your amusing experiences of introducing your kid to nutritious food variations. If you are looking for more interesting granny’s recipes for kids, write to us.