Barley For Babies – Nutrition, Benefits And How To Prepare

Is barley is good for babies? When you should introduce barley to a baby? Are there any health benefits of barley for babies? How to prepare barley for babies? Are you stressed about all these questions? If yes, then you will find all the answers in this article.

Barley is a cereal grain that is found in the bread and beverage. It is a complete package of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, etc. and is commonly given to babies.

Well, in this article, you will get to know about the goodness of barley for babies and when is the right time to introduce barley to babies. You will also get to know the health benefits of barley for babies. So, just scroll down the article and find out more.

Is Barley Good For Babies?

According to the experts, barley is a super nutritious grain food that is very healthy for the baby’s health and growth and development. It is absolutely wise to give barley to babies. It is easy to eat and promotes quick digestion in the babies.

Nowadays, it is the most popular whole grain that is given to the babies due to the powerhouse of nutrients in it. If the baby has started taking solid food then you can give this as one of the solid foods for the babies.

As I said above, it is a powerhouse of nutrition as it is rich in fiber, amino acids, iron, copper, B vitamins, manganese, iron and phosphorous, etc.

One-half cup of barley contains the following nutrients-

• 354 of calories
• 54% of the RDI selenium
• 73.5 grams 9of cabs
• 17.3 grams of fibers
• 18% of the RDI Zinc
• 43% of the Reference Daily Intake RDI Thiamine
• 17% of the RDI Riboflavin
• 16% of the RDI of Vitamin B6
• 12.5-grams protein
• 2.3 grams of fats
• 23% of the RDI Niacin
• 5% of the RDI Folate
• 20% of the RDI of Iron
• 33% of the RDI Of Magnesium
• 26% of the RDI of Phosphorus
• 13% of the RDI of Potassium
• 25% of the RDI of Copper
• 97% of the RDI of Manganese

When To Introduce Barley To Baby?

As per the expert from the American Pediatric Association, it is wise to give or introduce barley food to babies when they are at least 6 months. Make sure you don’t introduce barley as the first solid food as they may be allergic to it.

Whenever you start giving the barley food to your kids, give it in a little amount as it can keep the baby full for a longer period of time. It is said from the research as barley contains gluten, so you should not give it as a baby’s first food.

Barley should be given to the baby in three days wait, once you feed them barley, wait for three more days before feeding them again. This is to check whether the kids are allergic to any wheat substance or not.

Before you introduce barley, it is also wise to consult the required pediatrician as it varies from the health and growth and development of the child.

How To Prepare Barley For Babies?

Barley is very easy and simple to make for your baby. It can be made instantly in no time. To do or prepare barley for babies, you need-

• Take some barley seeds in a bowl and soak it 3 cups of water.
• Leave it for overnight
• Then strain the water in the morning
• Store the water separately
• This you can use in there recipe like dal, soup, etc or
• You can add in formula milk and juice

Note: you can store this water in the refrigerator for about 2 years.

Or you can do, such as-

• Boil in 3 cups of water and allow it form bubbles
• Once it starts to bubble, add the barley seeds in it
• Then boil it in a simmer for around 40 mins
• Then allow it cool
• After that, strain the water for use.

Barley Food Recipe For Babies:

Here are few of the ideas or healthy recipe that you can go for in giving the barley rich food in different forms, some of them are as follows-

1. Barley Water:

Barley water has a number of benefits for the baby’s health. It is one of the natural and easiest ways to give or add nutrition value to babies.

All You Need:

• 1 cup barley
• 1/2 cups water

What To Do:

1. Take a pressure cooker and add the barley seeds and water together.
2. Cook it for about 4-5 whistles.
3. Once it is cool down, blend the mixture
4. Strain the mixture and feed to baby.

2. Barley Apple Porridge:

The combination makes it perfect nutrition-packed food for the babies. This is regarded as the best solid food that you can feed to the baby.

All You Need:

• 1/4 cup whole barley
• 1/4 cup peeled and cubed apples
• 3 1/2 cups of water

How To Do:

1. Cook the barley in cooker for about 3-4 whistles with 3 cups of water.
2. Once it is cooked then add the apple pieces in it
3. Then again cooked it for about 10 mins till it gets soft.
4. After that, make it to a puree
5. Serve to the baby.

3. Barley Salad:

Nothing is healthier than a salad. This can be served as finger food or a snack to the babies that gives all the required nutrition to them.

All You Need:

• 1/4 cup soft cooked pearled barley
• 1/4 cup soft cooked diced carrots
• 1/4cup soft cooked and smashed peas
• 1/4cup soft cooked and cubed sweet potatoes

How To Do:

1. Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix everything together
2. Mix a pinch of salt and toss all together
3. Serve to the baby.

4. Barley And Potato Balls:

This is a superb combination of food that you can serve the baby as solid food and it keeps the baby full for a longer period of time.

All You Need:

• 1 cup soft cooked pearled barley
• 1 cup cooked sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup applesauce or fruit puree
• A pinch of cinnamon, ginger(if the baby is more than 8 month)

How To Do:

1. Take all the ingredients together and add a pinch of ginger and cinnamon
2. Then mix it well and form small balls
3. And serve to your baby.

5. Barley Khichdi :

It is a completely healthy and nutritious food that you can serve to your baby as a lunch for the day. This is a very simple and one-step recipe that you can go for.

All You Need:

• 1/2 cup barley
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped capsicum(optional)
• 1/2 cup carrot (optional)
• 1/2 cup small broccoli florets
• Salt to taste
• 3 tbsp chopped coriander (dhania)

How To Do:

1. Cooked the barley in a cooker for about 3-4 whistles.
2. Take a pan and add some olive oil and cumin to it.
3. Add all the vegetables and saute for few mins.
4. Then add tomato and cook it for about 1 minute
5. Add salt and cook for 1 minute in simmer
6. Then add the barley and cook for 2-3 minutes
7. Then serve it.

Health Benefits Of Barley For Babies:

The benefits of barley for babies are as follows-

1. Improves Digestion:

As per the studies, it has been found that the barley helps to promote good bacteria within the digestive tract as it is rich in fiber intake. The presence of fiber increases the bulk (R) of stool and makes it easy to pass through the digestive tract of the baby.

It is also found that the barley also helps a lot in relieving constipation and inflammatory bowel movement in babies. A healthy gut means a healthy baby.

2. Fiber Boost:

As I said above, barley is rich in fibers. Due to the dietary fiber, it keeps the digestive system healthy in the case of babies. It also provides the body with useful energy.

It is also found that high fiber content, barley also contains a mix of beneficial vitamins and minerals. (R) A baby should have about 25 grams of fiber in his or her diet.

3. Helps To Balance the Gut Bacteria:

This is one of the best health benefits of barley for babies. As we all know that the balance of gut bacteria is good for the body and it helps in keeping the baby healthy as well. It protects from the infection in the abdomen, genital, joints etc.

4. Anti-Fungal Action:

Barley water benefits for the baby by fighting with the fungal attacks on the body. The presence of biochemicals like proanthocyanidins, biflavones, chrysoerials helps to fight the fungal infections.

This comes in handy because babies are often susceptible to infections because of their underdeveloped immunity.

5. Bone Health:

The bone structure is well maintained in babies with barley as it is rich in iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. It plays a great role in the production and maturation of collagen. (R)

It is said that from the research that if the bones are strong and healthy then it has positive effects on their growth and development. Barley makes them strong and healthy.

6. Inflammation:

Barley has a powerhouse of choline properties of nutrients in it which in general helps in sleep, learning, memory and muscle movements.

It also maintains the structure of the cellular membrane and helps a lot in reducing chronic inflammation. This only helps the baby to be strong and healthier.

7. Strengthen the Liver:

Barley has a direct relationship in maintaining the liver of the baby. As per the studies, it is found that barley has positive effects on protecting the liver from any sort of damage and reduce the excess production of bile acid.

Barley is too good for a baby’s health and growth and development. It is absolutely wise to give barley to babies. This is the easiest to eat and helps promote quicker digestion for the babies. I hope this article has given you a good amount of information about the things that you must be aware of or know everything about the barley benefits for the baby.