Sabudana (Sago) | 7 health benefits for babies.
Ever since I have become a mom and my little one has successfully switched from milk to solids, what to feed him has always been on my mind. Ensuring that my son gets all the nutrition required for his growth has always been a never-ending learning curve for me. I have often been adviced to include more fibre in his diet, which can be easily digestible as the little digestive system is immature and baby has not developed proper mechanism of chewing the food and swallowing it properly! (teething is still going on)!
I have let my baby explore various tastes and then I decide which one to continue as per his liking. One such food item that he likes and is nutritious too is Sabudana (sago) or tapioca.
What is Sago?
We all are familiar about sabudana being used in navratri for a good fasting food option, but what do we know beyond that?
Sago is extracted from the stems of sago palm trees, then processed into small, circular pellets, which are sometimes referred to as pearls. It is one of the wholesome diet of starch and carbohydrates and is used in a lot of Indian dishes. It is easily available in most local grocery stores and supermarkets. Also, your granny must be knowing that this traditional food is a wholesome food for the baby as it as it is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates.
Before introducing solids for first time, make sure you follow one meal at a time and '3-day test' which means to include only one new meal at a time and test it for at-least 3 days to see whether baby is able to digest it properly and there are no signs of any allergy. Also, its advised to introduce new food at day time, avoid it giving later at night.
Misconception about Sabudana :
It is hard white pearls that have to be soaked before using in any recipe. So its hard for stomach too?
No, Sabudana is sure hard pearls but after soaking them and boiling in whatever recipe you make, they become gel like soft, can be easily swallowed by the baby and is easy to digest for that tiny stomach too! And can be blended in a blender to make more soluble in the meal.
Benefits of Sabudana for babies :
1. Vitamins & Minerals
Its loaded with minerals like Calcium, Iron, Potassium and Vitamin K which are really important for the growth and development of a child. It also helps in healthy bone development. I often feed Sago to my baby to make sure his nutritional requirements are being met at this growing stage.
2. Easy on Tummy!
Every now and then my child has some or the other digestive problem whenever I fed him heavy food especially during later time of the day. But since I have introduced Sago, he has loved it eating and is light on the tummy too! It is known to be effective against digestive problems such as bloating, constipation and indigestion. These are the most common problems in children and can easily be fixed with the right food.
3. Powerhouse of Energy!
A serving of just 100gm of sago yields about 355 calories along with Carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Sabudana is an excellent source of energy boosting carbohydrates.
4. Helps in Gaining weight!
Its Best food option available for moms who wants their kids to gain weight as Sago is high in carbohydrate content. Carbs fall into the category of macronutrients, which the body needs in copious amounts for energy and brain function.
A 100-gram serving contains nearly 86 grams of carbs.
5. Promotes Muscle Growth
Sabudana is also a good source of protein and aids muscle development, strengthening them in the process. Protein is also crucial for cell repair and cellular functions.
6. Keeps the body cool!
Sago along with rice is used to cool the body. It is helpful in treating ailment resulting from too much heat, such as the production of excess bile. It can be an excellent summer food as well as ancient people knows that it helps regulate the body's temperature
7. Tummy-filling !
It keeps the baby's tummy fill for long thus giving a proper meal option for your baby along with its nutritional benefits. Also a good option for the mothers who wants to wean their child and struggling how to make sure that tiny stomach is full!
Buy Sabudana from here
Recipes for Sabudana:
I have introduced sabudana to my baby above the age of 7 months in the form of Sago water, and later on after a year or so in the form of Sabudana Kheer and khichdi.
I will share the above mentioned recipes along with steps-to-make in the next blog!
Till then have a happy time with your baby :)