The surprising benefits of barley grass for babies

In addition to traditional dishes, the use of barley grass meal for daily menu to supplement essential minerals is a new trend of Vietnamese parents. 

Barley Grass - A superfood for kids

As one of the popular superfoods in many countries such as Japan and Korea, today barley grass is starting to be known by many Vietnamese parents and incorporated into their children's diet.

Barley and wheat also grow and develop quite similarly to our country's wet rice plants. When these plants are young, like seedlings, they are called grass or sprout. The leaves of this grass are harvested, can be dried to make wheat, barley or freshly ground to drink.

 

Barley grass powder for babies

How is the nutritional content of barley grass beneficial for children?

The nutritional content of barley grass has been recorded for quite some time. According to experts, in 100g of wheat grass contains the following nutritional ingredients:

Energy 39 kcal

Protein 3.3g

Fiber 4.2g

31mg sodium

Potassium 320mg

Calcium 29mg

Magnesium 16 mg

Iron 4.2 mg

Zinc 0.3 mg

Vitamin A 2540mg

Tocopherol 1.2 mg

Vitamin K 370 mg

Vitamin B1 0.06mg

Vitamin B2 0.15mg

Niacin 0.4 mg

Vitamin B6 0.06mg

Folic acid 40mg

Pantothenic acid 0.19mg

Vitamin C 7mg

Barley grass is quite popular because it has the same nutritional ingredients as vegetables but much higher content.

The iron content in barley grass is very high, 100 grams of grass contains 4.2mg of iron, equivalent to half of the iron needed by children every day (Children 1-3 years old need 7mg of iron per day, children 4-8 years old need 10mg of iron each. day) .

From the period of weaning onwards, babies also need to actively supplement iron-rich foods to prevent the risk of iron deficiency. Barley grass is one of the appropriate supplements to fortify your baby's iron if he or she cannot eat iron-rich foods and is at risk of iron deficiency.

In addition, barley grass also contains vitamin A - a weak vitamin for the development of children's eyesight that children need to take a supplement every year according to the national program.

Children 1-3 years old need 300mg of vitamin A per day, children 4-8 years old need 400mg per day. 100 grams of barley grass contains 2540mg of vitamin A, so just 1 part of barley grass is enough vitamin A for your baby for the whole week.

The vitamin C content of barley grass is also quite high. Vitamin C is often considered effective in boosting the immune system for children. 100 grams of barley grass contains 7 grams of vitamin C while children 1-3 years old need only about 15 grams of vitamin C per day, children 4-8 have 25mg. So with just 100g of baby barley grass has enough to load half to one third of the vitamin C you need each day.

As a plant, another advantage of barley grass is its fiber content. 100mg of barley grass contains 4.2 grams of fiber. Every day children from 1-3 years old only need about 19 grams of fiber per day, children 4-8 are 25mg. With 100mg of young barley grass, they will get about 1/5 of the fiber they need.

In addition, barley grass also contains many other essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, sodium, vitamin K, folic acid ... With its high content of minerals and vitamins, barley grass is considered a source of vitamin supplements. minerals are quite easy and straightforward.

For children in the developmental stage who need a large amount of vitamins and minerals with a limited ability to eat again, need nutritious foods, eat a small amount of nutrients, then those who are picky eaters and eat less can be nutritious. Barley grass supplementation to ensure your baby receives enough vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber ... that the body needs.

 

Mother can use barley grass meal for 2 years of age and older

Children several years old can eat barley grass

Most experts advise that, barley grass should only be used for children who are toddlers. The best parents can give the baby from 2 years old.

What foods can parents prepare from barley grass for children?

Barley grass is an imported food, currently in our country only the powder form of this grass. Barley grass has no taste, just a pleasant aroma. With this powder, parents can easily make the following foods for babies:

1. Use barley grass meal to mix with children's drinks

Mix with milk, mix with yogurt or mix with juice for your baby to drink. Because barley grass has no taste, children will not like it when mixed alone, but mixed with other flavored drinks will add a quite attractive fragrance.

Parents can mix 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon of barley grass powder with their baby's drink and let them try to drink gradually so they can adapt to the taste of this drink.

 

Barley grass powder can be used to prepare baby snacks such as jelly or cream cake 

2. Processed into jelly as a snack for children

Parents add barley grass powder to the agar mixing process, the agar will have a green color and attractive aroma. Babies love to eat jelly, but parents should make a liquid, soft jelly and pay attention when they eat to avoid choking.

3. Make cakes or cream from oat grass for your baby

Parents can add a little barley grass powder during the mixing process, mix the ice cream ingredients to make the cream have a pleasant cool green color and the barley grass flavor is more appealing to your baby.

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How to make delicious flan cakes is simple for your baby to wean

Is it good for children to eat brown rice? 5 delicious brown rice dishes your baby will love